There never was a greater time in the history of the world to live upon the earth than this. Walk with gratitude before him who is the giver of life and every good gift. 5:5.) I cannot escape the interpretation that meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments. The Lord has said that the meek shall inherit the earth. How magnificently we are blessed! How thankful we ought to be! … Cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for the blessing of life and for the marvelous gifts and privileges each of us enjoy. 12Ģ Rather than dwell on our problems, we can let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless us. The way will be lighter, the worries will be fewer, the confrontations will be less difficult if we cultivate a spirit of happiness. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine. Do not let the prophets of gloom endanger your possibilities. Opportunities will eventually open to you. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen. But … you can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not asking that all criticism be silent. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I come … with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. We’re constantly fed a steady and sour diet of character assassination, faultfinding, evil speaking of one another. … There is a terrible ailment of pessimism in the land. Hinckleyġ Even when many people are negative and pessimistic, we can cultivate a spirit of happiness and optimism. “We have every reason to be optimistic.” Teachings of Gordon B. Holland, also of the Quorum of the Twelve, commented: “‘Things will work out’ may well be President Hinckley’s most repeated assurance to family, friends, and associates. And they persevere in spite of adversity.” 6 Elder Jeffrey R. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following observation about President Hinckley and his wife, Marjorie: “They do not waste time pondering the past or fretting about the future. This counsel was representative of President Hinckley’s approach to life. … We’ll follow up with them and pray and hope that they will come into the Church.’ Every day ought to be a good day in the mission field.” 5 Let’s go out and have a good day.’ And when you come in at night, I hope you can say to one another, ‘It’s been a good day. I hope you can get ready to go in the morning and shake the hand of your companion and say, ‘Brother (Sister), life is good. I hope every day is a great day in your lives-every one of you. “Yesterday was a great day in my life,” he told them. He and his companions shook hands each morning and told each other, “Life is good.” 4 Almost 70 years later, he suggested that a group of missionaries in the Philippines follow the same practice. Hinckley, also had an “inherently positive outlook.” 2 President Hinckley recalled, “When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say: ‘Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.’” 3 Influenced by his parents’ counsel and example, young Gordon Hinckley learned to approach life with optimism and faith.Īs a missionary in England, Elder Hinckley worked hard to follow his parents’ counsel. Hinckley’s mother, Ada Bitner Hinckley, often said that “a happy attitude and smiling countenance could boost one over almost any misfortune and that every individual was responsible for his own happiness.” 1 His father, Bryant S.
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