President Gordon B. Hinckley on overcoming gloom in life

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961, served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008 at age 97.

"Let us go forward in this glorious work. How exciting and wonderful it is. I do not know how anybody can feel gloomy for very long who is a member of this Church. Do you feel gloomy? Lift your eyes. Stand on your feet. Say a few words of appreciation and love to the Lord. Be positive. Think of what great things are occurring as the Lord brings to pass His eternal purposes. This is a day of prophecy fulfilled, my brothers and sisters, this great day in the history of this Church. This is the day of which has been spoken of by those who have gone before us. Let us live worthy of our birthright. Keep the faith. Nurture your testimonies. Walk in righteousness and the Lord will bless you and prosper you and you will be a happy and wonderful people."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, Sandy Utah Cottonwood Creek Stake Conference, Dec. 3, 1995; see Ensign August 1996 p. 61

President Hinckley was an "incurable optimist." He had great confidence in life because he had great faith in God and trusted that God would take care of the problems of life. This excerpt is typical of the counsel that he gave on many occasions; there's no reason to be "gloomy" if you understand the miraculous blessings of the gospel and the Lord's ongoing work on earth. And if you do feel "gloomy" then here are the things to do about it:

With the proper perspective, there is no reason we shouldn't be "a happy and wonderful people."

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2022)
June 6, 2016