In 1996 President Gordon B. Hinckley, the fifteenth called prophet in these modern times, sat down with reporter, Mike Wallace in an unprecedented interview. They discussed a variety of topics, but in particular, Mr. Wallace asked about the state of the nation.
Mike Wallace: “Since World War II, we seem to be splintering; we seem to be becoming more selfish, more self-absorbed, less community minded. Families don’t seem to mean so much, and morality has gone to hell [his expression] in a handbasket. Why?”
Gordon B. Hinckley: “The basic failure is in our homes. Parents haven’t measured up to their responsibilities. It is evident. A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families, with parents who teach their children principles and values that are positive and affirmative and will lead them to worthwhile endeavors. That is the basic failure that has taken place in America. And we are making a tremendous effort to bring about greater solidarity in families. Parents have no greater responsibility in this world than the bringing up of their children in the right way, and they will have no greater satisfaction as the years pass than to see those children grow in integrity and honesty and make something of their lives. …” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “This Thing Was Not Done in a Corner,” Ensign, Nov 1996, 48)
President Hinckley addressed a critical problem we face in America, and really across the world, today. Society is falling apart. Now, at this time, President Hinckley didn’t go into much more detail, but in a previous talk to the general membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormons, he gave specific instructions on how to turn society around within a generation or two.
Four simple things, which I believe bear repeating:
Let parents and children (1) teach and learn goodness together, (2) work together, (3) read good books together, and (4) pray together.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Four Simple Things to Help Our Families and Our Nations,” Liahona, Jun 1996, 3)
For too long God has been pushed out of American families, society and government. And yet, Patrick Henry, one of America’s fiercest patriots in our battle for freedom from Great Britain, said:
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” (Patrick Henry as quoted by Robert W. Pelton, America: A Christian Nation? Here Are The Facts, 2008)
George Washington said,
“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” He also said, “”Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”
A prophet of God has told us that if we pray as a family, along with the other three things, we can turn society around. So Mr. Wallace, there is the full and complete answer to your question.
Prayer is one of the most beautiful gifts our Father in Heaven has given us. Through this medium we are allowed to petition the God of the Universe at any time, day or night, 365 days a year. He is never too tired, frustrated or busy to listen to us pour out all the confusion, pain, frustration, even the joy, love and happiness our mortal hearts can hold. If we ask, He will guide us, protect us (unless it’s our time to go or we have something to learn) and inspire us. I thank Him, most profusely, for this beautiful gift.
A family that kneels in sincere and heartfelt prayer, morning and night, will be a family more cemented together with eternal bonds. Oh yes, trouble will creep in, but prayer is a protection unlike most.
So this nation, crumbling at the seams, turn to God and remember He who gave you life awaits your call.
