I was a new high school graduate attending my first ever CES (Church Education System) Fireside. I was excited. The world was wide open to me and I could do anything, even though that thought scared me to death. Little did we know that the world as we knew it would change. It was the big start of the year fireside which is usually done by someone in the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve. This particular fireside was given by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The title of this talk is "Be Not Afraid, Only Believe". Very appropriate considering what was to come. During the last year sometime, I was looking through some scripture journals and fireside journals and notes. I didn't realize this at the time of 9-11, but having seen the notes I wrote.....WOW!!! Talk about listen to a prophets voice!! The notes said "There will be hard times in the coming days, but it is not over! It is not the end of the world. As we hold close to the church and the gospel, we will not falter!!!" And yes, my notes probably had A LOT more exclamation points and plenty of bold underlining. Now, knowing what happened two days after this talk was given, reading through the words President Hinckley said, it is absolutely amazing and comforting knowing that the prophet knew something was coming and warned us about it. Did we listen?
Some things I want to share from his talk. He talks about learning and truth, that truth can come from any language, people or religion, and that we accept this truth, wherever it comes from, if it is truth. He then goes on to talk about how negative the world is and makes a plea that we "stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight....that we look a little deeper for the good." How we would need this in those next few days, and without knowing it, as a nation we did. Were we angry and upset about those that had harmed us? You bet! But as a nation and a people, we looked to our neighbors for help and support. We saw the better in people, because who knew when we would see them again.
My favorite part of this talk. "There may be some lean days ahead for some of you. There may be troubles. None of us can avoid them all. Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds." I think this is where I wrote my note referenced above. Such a powerful message by the one person who gets the inspiration to lead the world! I don't know if President Hinckley knew exactly what was going to happen, but I have NO DOUBT that he knew something big was coming that would rock our world, and that it was coming soon! The Prophet of the Lord was guiding us, warning us, giving us comfort before we ever even needed it! What a marvelous work!
Since my discovery this last year about the significance and timing of this talk, I have tried to more closely follow the counsels of the Prophets and truly listen to their words. I know that they are being guided by our Father in Heaven who knows all, before it happens. I love this gospel! I live this gospel and I love to live it! THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!!!
Here is the link to President Hinckley's talk. A great read!
http://www.lds.org/broadcast/ces090901/transcript/0,11006,566,00.html
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