“Follow the Prophet,” New Era, Nov. 1996, 28
Follow the Prophet
Young Women everywhere know that he knows the way.
Last spring in the general Young Women’s meeting, Young Women the world over were challenged to find a personal message from our prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. On the following pages you’ll read some of his counsel, and the feelings of some young women about listening to—and heeding—that counsel.
“I think that the prophet we have right now is very special. He is truly a prophet of God. He’s been prepared all his life to be an example. At the last conference he talked about how important it is to be enthusiastic, because the gospel is really a joy that we’ve been given, and it’s something marvelous we must truly share with everyone. It’s not like a task or a chore; it’s to share a great happiness from our life, to be enthusiastic about the gospel we have.”
—Esther Caron, 17, Montreal, Canada
“There is no place in this work for those who believe only in the gospel of doom and gloom. The gospel is good news. It is a message of triumph. It is a cause to be embraced with enthusiasm.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 71
“Love is the essence of … missionary work. Selflessness is of its very nature. Self-discipline is its requirement. Prayer opens its reservoir of power.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 52
“I found reassurance in the prophet’s message. He told us to keep the faith, even during the hard times in life because there is always sunlight behind the dark clouds of trials and tribulations.”
—Krysten Gillette, 18, Columbia, South Carolina
“There is a tendency on the part of some to become indifferent. There are those who drift off seeking the enticements of the world, forsaking the cause of the Lord. I see others who think it is all right to lower their standards, perhaps in small ways. In this very process they lose the cutting edge of enthusiasm for this work.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 72
“Sometimes my friends want me to be someone else, but I don’t want to do that. I want to be myself, but I’m afraid I might lose them! When the prophet spoke, it was like he knew what I was feeling. It felt like an answer to my prayers. Now I know that Heavenly Father will help me have the courage to be strong.”
—Damaris Rosales, 15, Logan, Utah
“I truly believe that President Hinckley is a living prophet and that he cares about us and loves us. His message of faith is what ultimately helps me in living the standards of the Church.”
—Merial Marmanillo, 16, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
I have applied [President Hinckley’s] message by being an example to a non-Mormon friend that I work with. I have tried to do the right thing because I know she is watching me. I have two brothers in the mission field, which makes me feel like I should also be a missionary here at home.”
—Heather Hardman, 16, Tremonton, Utah
“I love the youth of the Church. I have said again and again that I think we have never had a better generation than this. How grateful I am for your integrity, for your ambition to train your minds and your hands to do good work, for your love for the word of the Lord, and for your desire to walk in paths of virtue and truth and goodness.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1995, p. 70
“I’m a new convert to the Church, and I just got to watch my first general conference. I know there is truly a living prophet. Listening to him speak confirmed what I had learned in the missionary discussions. The Lord speaks to his prophets, and we had better listen and learn.”
—Necola Rodney, 12, Montreal, Canada
“I am grateful for the emphasis on reading the scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits will be lifted.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1995, p. 99
“When I started to read the scriptures daily, I felt an inner peace and a warm feeling in my heart that is hard to explain. I felt the Holy Ghost spoke to me and that he made me understand even more about the importance of the gospel.”
—Cathrine Opdahl, 16, Oslo, Norway
“I love the youth of this church, so very many of them who are eager in their ways, who are searching for truth, who pray, and try to do the right thing.”
—President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1995, p. 70.
Photography by Richard M. Romney, Brian Kelly, and courtesy of Binki Hill