Excerpts from recent addresses by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
BELIEF IN CHRIST
We believe very strongly in Jesus Christ. He is the central figure of all of our worship. We regard Him as the Son of God. We regard Him as the Redeemer of the world. We regard Him as the greatest man who ever walked the earth. He made possible our salvation, our exaltation, through His Atonement. The Church carries His name as part of its name. Jesus Christ is the central figure of all of our worship, of all of our gospel, of all that we do. We believe in God the Eternal Father, in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. That becomes the foundation of our faith." - Interview, Prensa Libre, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Jan. 24, 1997
EXPECTATIONS
Now the Lord expects wonderful things of you. The Church expects wonderful things of you. We expect that every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have a testimony that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. If you do not have such a testimony, you can get one.
Two, it expects each of you to be loyal to the priesthood. No officer of this Church through the First Presidency, to the Council of the Twelve, to the Seventy, aspired to that office.
Three, we are expected to live the Word of Wisdom; to refrain from alcoholic drinks; to refrain from use of tobacco; to refrain from the use of tea and coffee.
Four, the Church expects us to pay our tithing. Marvelous are the promises of God to those who live this law.
Five, every man ought to regard his wife as a daughter of God, a daughter who is his equal, with whom he walks side by side. Marvelous is that concept that does not place a woman in an inferior position. One great man said a father can do nothing better for his children than to let them see that he loves their mother. Brethren, treat your wives with love and respect and kindness. And wives, you treat your husbands with love and respect and kindness.
Six, the Church expects you to attend your sacrament meetings, there to make your contribution to the spirit of the meeting, there to partake of the sacrament, and there to renew your covenants with the Lord. - From Sao Paulo Brazil Member Fireside, Nov. 14, 1996
FAMILY HOME EVENING
We are trying to preserve the traditional family - father, mother, and children - working together in love toward a common goal. In large measure we are succeeding against great odds. We advocate a family home evening, for instance, one night a week reserved for family activity together. Lessons from the scriptures are taught. Family business is discussed. Vacations are planned. We sing together. We pray together. It works! - From media luncheon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 1996
LIVE THE GOSPEL
[The accomplishments of our forebears are] in the past and the future lies ahead. Let every man and woman and child . . . today resolve to make of the work of the Lord in this part of His vineyard better and stronger and greater than it has ever been before. We do it as individuals. Not as groups, but as individuals, really. It is the quality of our lives that make the difference. It is our resolution to live the gospel of Jesus Christ that makes the difference. This is an individual matter . . . ." - From general session, Jacksonville Florida West Stake conference, Jan. 19, 1997
LOVE THE GOSPEL
I encourage you to go forward and live the gospel and love the gospel. Make it a part of your lives, this great and glorious thing which has come to us through the providence of the Almighty, to be a part of His great Church and kingdom, which is growing and moving over the earth. Live the gospel. Love the gospel. Read the scriptures. You will not get a testimony of the Book of Mormon unless you read the Book of Mormon. You will not get a testimony of the Doctrine and Covenants unless you read the Doctrine and Covenants. Faith comes of drinking at the fountain of eternal truth. - From Salt Lake Sugar House Stake Conference, Jan. 5, 1997
MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
It is not a small thing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, which came under the hands of Peter, James and John to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This is the priesthood by which the Church is governed. This is the priesthood by which you administer in the name of the Lord to those who are sick. This is the priesthood by which you bless. This is the priesthood by which you speak in the name of the Lord. Do not take it lightly. Never take it lightly. Always guard it, live worthy of it in every respect. - From Salt Lake Sugar House Stake Conference, Jan. 5, 1997
MISSION OF THE CHURCH
We have come a long way since those earlier days of pioneering. Our forebears grubbed the sagebrush, irrigated their fields, and made the desert blossom as the rose. Ours is a different mission. We are trying to bring hope and peace and a sense of the meaning of life to people throughout the world. We are now established in more than 150 nations. Our membership will reach 10 million some time later next year. We have become, in very deed, a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. We have also become an important people throughout this nation and throughout the world. - From media luncheon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, l996
SCOUT OATH
"On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight." I would like to submit to you that if every boy in this nation had that Scout Oath and lived by it, we would not need policemen. Things would take care of themselves. They would do the right thing. They would not get involved in drugs. They would not get involved in pornography. They would not get involved in any of these things that tear boys down. - From Boy Scout encampment, Tucson, Ariz., Dec. 14, 1996
YOUTH
You are wonderful. I think you are the best generation we have ever had in this Church. We have never had one as good as you are. I have great confidence in you. I think you can perform in any way that you wish to perform. I believe that with all my heart. And you can accomplish anything you wish to accomplish. It is a great and difficult world out there that lies ahead of you. It is filled with all kinds of traps, all kinds of traps to try to pull you down. But if you just keep your eye on the gospel it will not pull you down and you will come through smiling in a wonderful way. - From youth meeting, Washington, D.C., Dec. 1, 1996
