When I was growing up in the church, I remember being told that “we weren’t supposed to have favorite general authorities”. However, I have failed in this regard. I have come to realize I have 6 favorite general authorities, 4 that have passed on and 2 that are still present: Joseph Smith, George Albert Smith, Gordon B. Hinkley, Thomas S. Monson, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf. These prophets are those I seem to have connected with more than others. Those that have most inspired me most.
I have already written articles here focusing on relationship oriented quotes from President George Albert Smith (https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/president-george-albert-smith-quotes-288/), Elder Holland (https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/elder-jeffrey-r-holland-quotes-247/) and Uchtdorf (https://www.ldsdimension.com/articles/elder-uchtdorf-quotes-237/). Today I wanted to review and add some quotes from President Hinkley to my articles as well. I hope these quotes can inspire, lead, guide, and direct you in positive ways in your relational journey, and in life.
Quotes from President Hinkley:
*A great marriage: a blessing wished for all, a blessing to strive for:
“I could wish nothing better for each of you, my dear young friends, than love—the companionship of one dearer than any friend; someone to be deliriously excited over and to be happy with; someone to stir within you the very best that is there; someone to grow more appreciative of, more tender toward, more grateful for, more a part of as one year becomes another and life moves toward eternity.”
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gordon-b-hinckley/greatest-of-these-love/
*Marry and live for love according to the Spirit, not just for practical reasons.
“One of the grand errors we tend to make when we are young is supposing that a person is a bundle of qualities, and we add up the individual’s good and bad qualities, like a bookkeeper working on debits and credits. If the balance is favorable, we may decide to take the jump [into marriage]. . . . The world is full of unhappy men and women who married their mates because . . . it seemed to be a good investment. Love, however, is not an investment; it is an adventure. And when the marriage turns out to be as dull and comfortable as a sound investment, the disgruntled party soon turns elsewhere for adventure, . . .
Ignorant people are always saying, “I wonder what he sees in her,” not realizing that what he sees in her (and what no one else can see in her) is the secret essence of love. Entering a marriage calmly and rationally is like dancing a bacchanal calmly and rationally; it is a contradiction in terms. It takes into account everything except what is important—the spirit.”
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gordon-b-hinckley/greatest-of-these-love/
*A marriage does best when living a spiritual life away from worldly ways.
“The sweetest feelings of life, the most generous and satisfying impulses of the human heart, find expression in a marriage that stands pure and unsullied above the evil of the world.”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley/chapter-10-nurturing-the-eternal-partnership-of-marriage?lang=eng
*Be supportive of each other in marriage. Allow for freedom, be supportive, do not try to control or limit each other.
“One evening when President and Sister Hinckley were sitting quietly together, Sister Hinckley said, “You have always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it.” Commenting on that expression from his wife, President Hinckley said, “I’ve tried to recognize [her] individuality, her personality, her desires, her background, her ambitions. Let her fly. Yes, let her fly! Let her develop her own talents. Let her do things her way. Get out of her way, and marvel at what she does.”Sister Hinckley was likewise supportive of her husband—as a father, in his personal interests, and in his extensive Church service.”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley/chapter-10-nurturing-the-eternal-partnership-of-marriage?lang=eng
*A successful marriage requires continual work, effort, and nurturance.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has taught that “marriage … is a union between a man and a woman under the plan of the Almighty. It can be fragile. It requires nurture and very much effort”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/02/nurturing-a-love-that-lasts?lang=eng
*Eliminate negative comments and focus on loving, nurturing words to sustain a marriage.
“Serious marital difficulties often begin in seemingly minor ways. Without repentance, fleeting moments of rudeness may become more frequent. Poor communication may allow spouses to drift apart. Failure to show affection, even in small ways, can erode feelings of love. Unresolved frustrations can heat up until they boil into anger and even abuse.
Nurturing love moment by moment, however, eventually extends loving moments into eternity. One way couples can nurture their love is simply to say “I love you”—often. Another is to pray together each day. It is nearly impossible to harbor ill feelings when humbly kneeling before Heavenly Father. In praying with and for one another, in seeking answers to common concerns, and in striving to follow divine counsel, husbands and wives open themselves to the influence of the Spirit. And the Spirit fills hearts with the pure love of Christ (see Moro. 7:47–48).”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/02/nurturing-a-love-that-lasts?lang=eng
Final Thoughts:
I enjoy the practical, sensible ideas and suggestions from President Hinkley. There are many other quotes I could have included beyond these, but these are some of the most useful and helpful ones I think are good to build on. Please incorporate as many of these you can in your current and future relationships. And feel free to study other additional thoughts from President Hinkley as well.
Whenever you marry sooner, later, or even in the next life, please remember these ideas for your relationships. Who you pick and how you nourish and nurture your marriage matters a great deal. Please treat your relationship with love, nurturance, and with the Spirit. Use kind words and keep an eternal perspective always. And remember that “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 11:1.
Dr. G
P.S. If you have any questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2023-07-16 | Shawn Gordon | Spirituality |
About the author
I am a founder of this site and as of May 2015 I am happily married to a wonderful LDS woman. I spent my years in the singles system as a singles rep working to optimize events and maximize the effectiveness of people interacting and finding someone to love. I studied psychology for years and my years as a software and business consultant have made me very adept at understanding people and their motivations. I hope to help others find that same happiness that I have.