Standing For Something, Gordon B. Hinckley
New York Times Bestseller
In the year 2000, a book was written and published that soared to the top of the charts and even made it to the New York Times Bestseller list, it was titled, Standing for Something; 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal our Hearts and Homes. Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was the author of this masterful discourse, which was written just before he reached his ninetieth birthday. His self description as written is as follows:
Standing For Something
Gordon B. Hinckley, a man of God.
"In fact, I still feel young, with a love for life and its challenges and pleasures. My life has been rich because it has been filled with problems to solve and associations to savor. I have wrestled with dilemmas large and small. I have known something of discouragement and, on a few occasions, have felt the exhilaration of achievement. I feel a great sense of gratitude of the marvelous and generous blessings of the Almighty."
Gordon B. Hinckley was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was awarded to him on June 23, 2004 at the White House.
The Time Has Come to Stand A Littler Taller.
Standing For Something
- A Tribute to Gordon B. Hinckley
Brigham Young University created a wonderful slide show to commemorate the life of the prophet Gordon B. Hickley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Secularization of America, the downfall of a nation.
In the book we are shown that because of his position in a church that is a worldwide organization, President Hinckley has had an opportunity to extensively travel throughout the world; he states that he loves all people everywhere regardless of nationality, sex, creed, or color. With that being said, he expresses his love for his own home, that of the United States of America, and reiterates his love for the founding fathers and the constitution of this nation. After professing his love for his country, in the introduction of his book, which he calls, The Secularization of America, he also gives a profound warning:
"We are forgetting God, whose commandments we have neglected and in some cases forgotten, and which we seem reluctant- or too undisciplined- to obey. In too many ways, we have substituted human sophistry for the wisdom of the Almighty.
America is still strong, but destructive forces have been and are at work. There is a serious unsteadiness in our country's stance in terms of morality, ethics, principles, and behavior. We as a people and a nation have increasingly neglected and abandoned time-honored virtues that have been proven through the centuries to keep human beings individually, and therefore collectively, strong."
- The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - A blog by Mormons about Mormonism and the Mormon Church
- Joseph Smith: Mormon Prophet - Thomas S. Monson: Choosing A New Prophet
Upon hearing of the death of the current Mormon Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, millions of Mormons around the world felt the same way. They want to mourn, but also realize that the work goes on. - Young Single Adults - The Testimony of Gordon B. Hinckley, a Prophet of God - A blog by Mormons
The Testimony of Gordon B. Hinckley, a Prophet of God I've been thinking a lot about testimonies recently, and of the power in a few simple, honest, sincere words.
Remedy of Hope
After outlining many of the ills that face our nation today, President Hinckley gives a remedy of hope.
"Healing in our hearts and in our homes, and subsequently throughout society, will begin to occur when we individually and collectively return to the code of ethics and the canons of divine truth that our honored forefathers lived by."
He outlines in his book, this code of ethics, by way of the following ten virtues:
1) Love: The Lodestar of Life
Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people or bridge the chasms of bitterness.
2) Honesty: Where There Is Honesty, Other Virtues Will Follow
In our day, those found in dishonesty aren't put to death, but something within them dies. Conscience chokes, character withers, self-respect vanishes, integrity dies. How cheaply some men and women sell their good names!
3) Making a Case for Morality
Both experience and divine wisdom dictate that moral virtue and cleanliness pave the way that leads to strength of character, peace of mind and heart, and happiness in life.
4) Our Fading Civility
Civility carries with it the essence of courtesy, politeness, and consideration of others. All of the education and accomplishments in the world will not count for much unless they are accompanied by marks of gentility, of respect for others, of going the extra mile.
5) Learning: "With All Thy Getting Get Understanding"
No matter how old we become, we can acquire knowledge and use it. We can gather wisdom and profit from it. We can grow and progress and improve- and, in the process, strengthen the lives of those within our circle of influence.
6) The Twin Virtues of Forgiveness and Mercy
Hatred always fails and bitterness always destroys. Are there virtues more in need of application in our day, a time marked by litigious proceedings and heated exchanges, than those of forgiving, forgetting, and extending mercy to those who may have wronged us or let us down?
7) Thrift and Industry: Getting Our Houses in Order
I commend to all the virtues of industry and thift, which I believe go hand in hand. The Labor and thrift of the people make a nation, a community, or a family strong. Work and thrift make the family independent.
8) Gratitude: A Sign of Maturity
Gratitude is the beginning of civility, of decency and goodness, of a recognition that we cannot afford to be arrogant. We should walk with the knowledge that we will need help every step of the way.
9) Optimism in the Face of Cynicism
My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we "accentuate the positive." I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.
10) Faith: Our Only Hope
Great buildings were never constructed on uncertain foundations. Great causes were never brought to success by vacillating leaders. Faith has always been , and always must be, at the root of any meaningful practice and endeavor.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as par
The Guardians of Virtue, marriage and the family.
Gordon B. Hinckley then concludes his book by talking about the two institutions which he calls, "The Guardians of Virtue." These are commonly known as marriage, and the family. With the sanctity of both of these at stake, he warns adamantly that if these are not preserved it will be the downfall of our nation.
The Loneliness of Moral Leadership
In Remembrance
In memory of this great man, and prophet of God, Gordon B. Hinckley, I could find no better way to pay tribute to him than to publish the ideals that made him so incredible. For myself, the manner in which I apply his teachings will be my personal tribute to show the vast amount of respect for I have for him, and the position he holds, as a prophet of the Lord. He will be missed, but not forgotten. His teachings and his words will live forever.