In the priesthood session of the October 1991 general conference, Elder Rex D. Pinegar of the Presidency of the Seventy spoke of a book by Michael H. Hart that listed 100 of history's most influential people. The name of Jesus Christ was listed third.
The author acknowledged that the teachings of Jesus Christ are "surely among the most remarkable and original ethical ideas ever presented. If they were widely followed, I would have no hesitation in placing Jesus first in this book."Elder Pinegar said, "With these thoughts in mind, I feel it is appropriate for us to ask, Where do we rank Jesus Christ in our lives? Does He come first, as He should?' Perhaps a more significant question would be,Where would we rank ourselves as followers of Jesus' teachings?' Do we live as Christians in word and deed?
"We all have many difficult choices to make each day. There are many enticements that, if followed, will lead us away from Christ. The movies and videos we choose to watch, the entertainment we seek, the music we listen to, the styles we wear, and the language we speak are all influenced by the strength of our desire to follow Christ.
". . . When we do follow Him . . . we will feel the peace and assurance that comes from making right choices. He will provide the courage necessary for those times when we have to stand alone.
"In the Book of Mormon Alma records the powerful account of Moroni, chief commander of all the armies of the Nephites. It is the account of one who stood alone and of the force for good he became. With his armor girded about him, his head plate, breastplate and his shields fastened upon him, his banner of liberty raised on a pole above him, he `bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should be a band of Christians remain to possess the land -
" `For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.'
"Alma continues: `And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took it upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
" `And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of Christians . . . might be favored.' " (Alma 46:13-16.)
Elder Pinegar concluded, "I pray that we, who have taken upon us His name and His marvelous priesthood authority and power, may also gladly take upon us the commitment to rank Jesus Christ first in our thoughts and also in our deeds."
