PROVO, UTAH
Inspirational figures from the past can bring us closer to Christ, said Robert P. Young at BYU Campus Education Week on Aug. 20.
Brother Young, a physician, said he believes the imperfections of men such as Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Joseph Smith make them even more apt examples for those seeking to make a positive impact.
"There is a serene Providence which rules the fate of nations," said Brother Young, quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson. "It makes its own instruments, creates the man for the time, trains him in poverty, inspires his genius and arms him for his task."
Brother Young shared his belief that learning from the examples of great men and women is part of the Lord's command to "become acquainted with all good books, and with languages, tongues and people." (See Doctrine and Covenants 90:15).
"We're told in the scriptures, in many places, that the gospel is not just contained in the Standard Works," he said.
Brother Young began with Columbus' journey to the New World. He cited numerous examples of decisions made by Columbus that secured a positive voyage, though they were considered curious at the time.
"Call it what you will, but Columbus was convinced that he was being helped," he said.
Next, Brother Young examined the spirituality of both Washington and Lincoln. He shared how both men understood how God helped the country to succeed under their leadership.
While some in the modern era are quick to point out imperfections in the character of these and other figures from history, Brother Young emphasized that such shortcomings can also help us learn, as explained by the Savior in Ether 12:27.
"Whether it is spoken by prophets of God or not, truth is truth," he said. "Good things and bad examples from other human beings can help us make correct choices and draw us closer to our Father in Heaven."
People need not be world leaders – or even Church leaders – to help make a difference in the world, Brother Young said. He used Captain Moroni, who was neither king nor prophet, as an example of someone whose sheer will and desire to do good was immortalized in the Book of Mormon (see Alma 48:17).
"If you look at yourself and think 'I'm not Joseph Smith, I'm not a Founding Father, I'm a nobody,' you're wrong," he said.
