This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood Session of the April 1992 Conference.
One talk I really liked from this session was President Hinckley's talk "Believe the Prophets." It's a catalog of experiences President Hinckley had with previous presidents of the church (he was personally acquainted with seven of them!), and it was just cool to read it. I just liked reading his testimony of their prophetic callings, and the way he loved and admired them while still working closely with them for many years. I know people talk sometimes about how our church venerates the prophets and apostles too much, and then it leads to people struggling when they realize that those leaders aren't perfect. Maybe that's true, but lately I feel like I run into the opposite problem a lot more often—people who want to focus on the fallibility of the prophets to the exclusion of their divine calling. I loved what President Hinckley said about that:
Now in conclusion, may I repeat that I have worked with seven Presidents of this Church. I have recognized that all have been human. But I have never been concerned over this. They may have had some weaknesses. But this has never troubled me. I know that the God of heaven has used mortal men throughout history to accomplish His divine purposes. They were the very best available to Him, and they were wonderful.These men whom I have known and with whom I have worked have been totally unselfish in their zeal to build the kingdom of God and bring happiness into the lives of the people. They have been unsparing in giving of themselves to the great work for which each had responsibility in his particular season.
I believe all that was true about President Hinckley himself, and I certainly have seen it in the life of President Nelson as well! I'm so glad we have prophets on earth today!
Other posts in this series:
Rhythm and Contrast—by G.
I miss President Hinckley . . . even though I have a testimony that that particular mantle has now passed on to other prophets suited for their times.
ReplyDeleteI'm counting on the fallibility of our leaders because of my own fallibility. I can only do what I can do, and I take great joy in trusting in the atonement and grace of Christ to make up for my limits.
Yes, I've heard lots of people make that point about our leaders' fallibility giving us hope! I like that way of thinking about it! for sure I need to believe the Lord can work through imperfect people if I want him to work through me!
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