Latter-day Counsel:
Excerpts from Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley

Building the Church

“When you bring someone into the Church, you not only bring an individual, you bring generations of people—parents today with children, who will become parents who have children, who will become parents. That is the story of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why it is so important that we hold onto everyone who is baptized. We are not only building the Church for today, we are building it for tomorrow and for all of the tomorrows that lie ahead” (missionary meeting, Nicaragua Managua Mission, 21 Jan. 1997).

Things Work Out

“It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. … If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers” (Jordan Utah South regional conference, priesthood session, 1 Mar. 1997).

Be Prayerful

“Be prayerful. Don’t be ashamed to get on your knees, morning and night, and thank the Lord for His blessings. Pray for His inspiration and direction and help in all that you undertake to do in righteousness” (meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 20 Feb. 1998).

Love at Home

“To you parents, you fathers and mothers, rear your children in light and truth. Let your children grow in homes where there is love and peace. Pray with your children. Teach them to be humble. Have your family home evenings. Live the gospel. Be men and women of integrity and faith and honesty and truth, and the Lord will bless you and you will see your children grow up in honor before you with a love and respect for you. The time will come when with gratitude in your hearts you’ll get on your knees and thank the Lord for His marvelous blessings upon you” (meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 20 Feb. 1998).

Tithing

“Tithing is the Lord’s law of finance. What a wonderful thing it is as members of this Church, wherever we are, to look and see the houses of worship in which we meet and all of the other things that come with the work of the Church and to know that we have had some part in it. And the marvelous, wonderful thing is that the Lord opens the windows of heaven and showers down blessings upon us. It isn’t I who made that promise. It is He who has made that promise, and it is my testimony to you, brothers and sisters, that He has the capacity to keep that promise and that He does so” (meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 1 Aug. 1998).

We Must Be Latter-day Saints

“The Lord expects us to be Latter-day Saints. That isn’t just an appendage phrase on the end of the name of the Church. It signifies something of tremendous importance. He expects us to show love of God by the way we conduct our lives. He expects us as those who have taken upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ to walk in His way, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, to go the second mile. He expects us as His children to reach out to those around us, not only to members of the Church but to others. As sure and as certain as the sunrise in the morning, we Latter-day Saints and members of this great Church of the Lord should reach out in a spirit of neighborliness and helpfulness” (Woods Cross, Utah, regional conference, 11 Jan. 1998).

Photo by Craig Dimond