Wednesday, January 30, 2008

GBH


This article was in the SL Tribune on the 27th. I think it's great.

The wit and wisdom of Hinckley
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 01/27/2008 11:09:29 PM MST

Posted: 10:51 PM- Asked about the secret of his longevity, Hinckley's favorite reply was: "The idea I try to follow is to go to bed every night and be sure you get up in the morning." In a 1995 interview for "60 Minutes," reporter Mike Wallace said: "There are those who say: 'This is a gerontocracy. . .this is a church run by old men." Hinckley: "Isn't it wonderful to have a man of maturity at the head? A man who isn't blown about by every wind of doctrine?" Wallace: "Absolutely, as long as he's not dotty." Hinckley: "Thank you for the compliment." After Apostle Russell M. Nelson gave a laudatory speech about Hinckley at LDS General Conference in 1997, Hinckley returned to the podium and quipped, "I thought we were conducting General Conference. It's turned out to be a funeral." Hinckley continued: "He's taken extreme liberty. I challenge him to a duel down in the basement of the tabernacle after this session." At the end of the session, Hinckley apparently thought better of the idea. "I've repented," he said. "Thank you for your kind words. We'll postpone the duel." "I am an old man given to meditation and prayer. I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, listening to soft music, and contemplating
the things of the universe. But such activity offers no challenge and makes no contribution. "I wish to be up and doing. I wish to face each day with resolution and purpose. I wish to use every waking hour to give encouragement to bless those whose burdens are heavy, to build faith and strength of testimony. If in the process I should die on some distant strand while speaking to my friends in the church, it would be better than if I were to spend my days, looking out languidly upon the world without purpose or design." April 5, 1997 When Hinckley was speaking at the National Press Club on March 8, 2000, an audience member wanted to know whether whether God had forgotten about BYU football. "That comes from an alumnus," Hinckley said. "I don't know. I hope not. . .I like to see a winner - I will say that." Interview with Larry King on CNN Dec. 26, 2004, KING: What do you do with temptation? What do you do with it? HINCKLEY: Set it aside. Put it behind. Leave it there. KING: And you've been able to do that all your life. HINCKLEY: I tried to, yes. KING: Were you ever, as a youngster, did you ever stray? HINCKLEY: Oh, I was a natural boy growing up, of course I was. Just a freckled-faced kid. Sure. KING: I'll bet you were. HINCKLEY: Sure. KING: I'll bet you had a little rascal in you. HINCKLEY: Sure I did. KING: OK. It's good to know ...

6 comments:

Megan B said...

I LOVE this post and all these great quotes. I will miss his great wit. He was an amazing man and the very best of examples.

Kate said...

That is great... I love it!

Trevlyn said...

This is super! Thanks for sharing!

MarySue said...

Wonderful quotes I've loved and great to be reminded of them. What an exampliary man. Thanks for sharing this great post.

Carrigan Clan said...

It is amazing to me just how many hearts he touched. Sure will miss him.

Anonymous said...

I loved that they mentioned the one about the duel. I remember how hard we laughed when we were watching that conference. It was nice to be reminded of it.

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