President and Sister Hinckley, Elder Wirthlin Receive Honorary Doctorates

President Gordon B. Hinckley and Sister Marjorie Hinckley each received honorary doctorates from Utah Valley State College on 27 April, just two days before their 64th wedding anniversary. President Hinckley received a doctorate of religion and humanity, and Sister Hinckley received a doctorate of humane letters.

Speaking at the commencement exercises, President Hinckley urged graduates to be kind, loving, decent, and honest. “These things are so simple that they scarcely seem worthy of mention,” he said. “And yet they are the very fabric of life. When all is said and done, when you have lived your life and grown as old as I am, you recognize that it is the simple virtues that count, that make the great difference in our lives.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles received an honorary doctorate of Christian service from Brigham Young University on 26 April. Elder Wirthlin advised graduates to work hard, serve others willingly, and remain faithful to the teachings of the gospel. “Whatever your honorable work may be, give it the best that is in you,” he said. “Let your name always be associated with diligent effort and uncompromising quality—even when there appears to be no reward, even when it appears no one is watching. If you give the best of yourself to your labors, you will be rewarded tenfold.”