Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Howard W. Hunter on meekness and following Christ's way

President Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1959.  He served as Church President for only nine months, from June 5, 1994 to his death on March 3, 1995.
"And what of the meek? In a world too preoccupied with winning through intimidation and seeking to be number one, no large crowd of folk is standing in line to buy books that call for mere meekness. But the meek shall inherit the earth—a pretty impressive corporate takeover, and done without intimidation! Sooner or later—and we pray sooner rather than later—everyone will acknowledge that Christ's way is not only the right way, but ultimately the only way to hope and joy. Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that gentleness is better than brutality, that kindness is greater than coercion, that the soft voice turneth away wrath. In the end, and sooner than that whenever possible, we must be more like him."
- Howard W. Hunter, "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee," Ensign, May 1993, pp. 63-65
Click here to read the full talk

Sometimes we speak and write about things we are trying to learn or emulate; sometimes we share the things we have learned personally. In this case, I think President Hunter was speaking from the heart of one who exemplified the virtues he was discussing. I have always thought of him as one of the truly meek and gentle spirits of our time. For him to encourage greater meekness, and more Christlike behavior, seems to be a call to "come, try what I have tried and found to be joyful."


This is interesting reasoning. The day will come when all will acknowledge the validity of "Christ's way" as the only way—the only way to peace, joy, and hope. So why should we not try to follow that way more closely now?

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