President Hinckley Asks Students to “Enjoy the Sunlight”

“How wonderful to be alive today!” observed President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, at a March 6 fireside at Brigham Young University. President Hinckley’s remarks to students assembled at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, were broadcast over the Church satellite system throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico. “How wonderful to be a part of this great cause at this time in the history of the world and the history of this Church.”

President Hinckley noted that in 1946, 55 percent of Church members resided in Utah; today only 17 percent of the members live in the state. Only 6 percent of Church members lived in international areas in 1946, as opposed to today’s figure of more than 45 percent. President Hinckley also spoke of convert baptism and the great temple-building era. “We are building temples where just a few years ago we never would have dreamed of building temples,” he said. He mentioned upcoming temple dedications in Orlando, Florida, and Bountiful, Utah, as well as temple groundbreakings in American Fork, Utah; Bogotá, Colombia; and Hong Kong. He also noted that property has been acquired for a temple in Madrid, Spain, as well as elsewhere for about seven other temples.

After observing a general trend of pessimism in the world, President Hinckley urged listeners to “stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. … 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 not asking that criticism be silent,” he continued. “Growth comes from correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. … But let our faith replace our fears.”

President Hinckley explained that the gospel means “good news.” “You are partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “The message of the Lord is one of hope and salvation. … The very essence of this work is faith. Faith cannot grow in an environment of doubt.”