LDS (Mormon) President Gordon B. Hinckley After 9/11 - Pt. 1

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lds9999
June 09, 2008

Shortly after 9/11, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave this address: My beloved brethren and sisters, I accept this opportunity in humility. I pra...

Shortly after 9/11, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave this address:

My beloved brethren and sisters, I accept this opportunity in humility. I pray that I may be guided by the Spirit of the Lord in that which I say.

I have just been handed a note that says that a U.S. missile attack is under way. I need not remind you that we live in perilous times. I desire to speak concerning these times and our circumstances as members of this Church.

You are acutely aware of the events of September 11, less than a month ago. Out of that vicious and ugly attack we are plunged into a state of war. It is the first war of the 21st century. The last century has been described as the most war-torn in human history. Now we are off on another dangerous undertaking, the unfolding of which and the end thereof we do not know. For the first time since we became a nation, the United States has been seriously attacked on its mainland soil. But this was not an attack on the United States alone. It was an attack on men and nations of goodwill everywhere. It was well planned, boldly executed, and the results were disastrous. It is estimated that more than 5,000 innocent people died. Among these were many from other nations. It was cruel and cunning, an act of consummate evil.

Recently, in company with a few national religious leaders, I was invited to the White House to meet with the president. In talking to us he was frank and straightforward.

That same evening he spoke to the Congress and the nation in unmistakable language concerning the resolve of America and its friends to hunt down the terrorists who were responsible for the planning of this terrible thing and any who harbored such.

Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. We do not know how long this conflict will last. We do not know what it will cost in lives and treasure. We do not know the manner in which it will be carried out. It could impact the work of the Church in various ways.

Our national economy has been made to suffer. It was already in trouble, and this has compounded the problem. Many are losing their employment. Among our own people, this could affect welfare needs and also the tithing of the Church. It could affect our missionary program.

We are now a global organization. We have members in more than 150 nations. Administering this vast worldwide program could conceivably become more difficult.

Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation. The terrible forces of evil must be confronted and held accountable for their actions. This is not a matter of Christian against Muslim. I am pleased that food is being dropped to the hungry people of a targeted nation. We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive. It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down.

We of this Church know something of such groups. The Book of Mormon speaks of the Gadianton robbers, a vicious, oath-bound, and secret organization bent on evil and destruction. In their day they did all in their power, by whatever means available, to bring down the Church, to woo the people with sophistry, and to take control of the society. We see the same thing in the present situation.

We are people of peace. We are followers of the Christ who was and is the Prince of Peace. But there are times when we must stand up for right and decency, for freedom and civilization, just as Moroni rallied his people in his day to the defense of their wives, their children, and the cause of liberty (see Alma 48:10).

On the Larry King television broadcast the other night, I was asked what I think of those who, in the name of their religion, carry out such infamous activities. I replied, "Religion offers no shield for wickedness, for evil, for those kinds of things. The God in whom I believe does not foster this kind of action. He is a God of mercy. He is a God of love. He is a God of peace and reassurance, and I look to Him in times such as this as a comfort and a source of strength."

For the full transcript, visit http://www.lds.org

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lds church mormon president gordon b. hinckley mormonism prophet 9/11 september 11 war times emergency preparedness

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GlennRoxWyo (1 month ago) Show Hide

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Pres. Hinkley you are a man of honor & of courage. When we speak of you it will be with reverence & with pride.

queenbluebonnet (8 months ago) Show Hide

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I <3 you Pres. Hinckley. You are still the prophet I follow. Your teachings remain in my heart for eternity.

BIZNAILEY (1 year ago) Show Hide

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"life is fragile"

omiolo (1 year ago) Show Hide

+12

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I wish MORE people would have listened to his advice on paying off your mortgage and getting out of debt!

Outlaw1257 (1 year ago) Show Hide

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Omilio;

I do agree about Hinckley's advice about getting out of debt!!

Yet, if Hinckley had been a true Prophet, then he would have revealed to his followers that they could save a ton of money on their car insurance by switching to GEICO!!

It's so easy, even a LAMANITE could do it!!

osmiolos (1 year ago) Show Hide

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"I do agree about Hinckley's advice about getting out of debt!!"

that is a start!

Now can we work from there?

so your Prophet tells people how to get rich?

Benny Hinn?

Outlaw1257 (1 year ago) Show Hide

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HincKKKley was never my prophet, Osmiolos!!

I just happen to agree with him (and Omilio) about the philosophy of living debt free.

GlennRoxWyo (2 months ago) Show Hide

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What did he ever do to you?

GlennRoxWyo (1 month ago) Show Hide

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hinKKKley? I bet you think you're real funny. Hope you're proud of yourself biggot.

omiolo (1 year ago) Show Hide

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"we do not know how long this conflict will last"

"we do not know what this will cost in lives"

"we have members in more than 150 nations"

"we value our Muslim neighbors across the world"

"let us be friendly and helpful"

thank you President Hinckley, we miss you!

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LDS (Mormon) President Gordon B. Hinckley After 9/11 - Pt. 1

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