A Little Kinder

I usually try to let my example be proof of my testimony, so please excuse this departure from my usual approach to sharing my religion. I know that part of my "readership" are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that part are not. If you are a reader of a different faith please read until you can't stand it anymore, and if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.

I learned at a young age that the gospel was true, but the people weren't. (I am, at times, included in the not true people.) I often wondered how people that professed to be Mormon could be so mean, and sometimes do very un-Christ-like things. I knew that these hurtful actions were not sanctioned by the church, but it just seemed to happen too often, and people seemed to interpret beliefs of the church into justifications to allow themselves to be mean. I am thankful that I could recognize that worship did not have to be a social experience, and that I could recognize the importance of being Christ-like. Those experiences I had shaped my faith, and my determination to do better.

This is why I loved President Hinckley so much. The message that I heard from him over and over was that we could, and should be better, and not just better about doing church things, but better neighbors, parents, partners, and people in general. And his life was an example of how God expects us to "be better." He taught that we each had room for improvement, and included himself in the "each." In the October 2002 General Conference he closed the conference by praising the other speakers and the music, and then saying that what matters is what we each took from the conference, and went on to tell us what he was going to take:

"I, for one, have made a stronger resolution within myself to be a better person than I have been in the past. I hope that I will be a little kinder to any I meet who may be in distress. I hope that I will be a little more helpful to those who are in need. I hope that I will be a little more worthy of your confidence. I hope that I will be a better husband, a better father and grandfather. I hope that I will be a better neighbor and friend. I hope that I will be a better Latter-day Saint, with an increased understanding of the wonderful aspects of this glorious gospel."

In 2002 he was 92, and the prophet of the Church, like the Pope to the Catholic Church. Of all the people who should be trying to do better he wasn't on the top of the list, but he announced to the whole church that he would try to do better, and that made me love him more. If this man who had lived his life, and had the huge responsibility of leading the church could say "here are a few things I am going to work on" I better be working on a few things as well. And, who wouldn't want to follow in the footsteps who had such a tolerant and loving way of guiding you to change your life?

Although I never met him, I knew he was a prophet of God. I knew because of his actions. I knew because of the way he exemplified love. He wanted all people to be loved, and he wanted the members of the church to be the people loving them. There was not room for a "holier than thou" attitude.

I know that he was a prophet of God because of the way he talked about Christ, and the Gospel of Christ. The things he taught about Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ rang true. I could tell he knew what he was talking about. That he knew Them. That through the spirit he was able to lead the church in the way the Lord would have it go because he was selfless enough, and loving enough to let the spirit teach him.

Now, I may be weary of the constant stories of President Monson, and I don't think Boy Scouts should be part of the church education for boys. But if President Monson is called to the be the next president (Nothing official will happen until after President Hinckley's funeral, but because President Monson has been serving as an apostle for the longest it is likely that he will be called next) I will sustain him and, I will gain a testimony of his role as prophet of God.

If you would like to read President Hinckley's own words about being a better people you can find the 2002 talk here.

If you would like to know more about the basic beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this is a great web site.