36. With the Hinckleys in Rio de Janeiro

An account from my missionary journal of a meeting held on Monday afternoon, September 8, 1969, in the Brazilian North Mission home in Rio de Janeiro. Elder and Sister Gordon B. Hinckley, President and Sister Hal R. Johnson, and eight missionaries (Elders Monte Stewart, Fenton Broadhead, Dean Cleverly, Robert Bailey, Elder Merchant, Reed Nielsen, Michael Morrell, and Kent Gale) were present. The meeting was planned for all the missionaries in Rio, but none could be contacted by telephone since it was preparation day. It was a rainy day and cold. The Hinckleys had arrived from São Paulo Sunday evening at 11:00. He had presided over two stake conferences there during the day. This evening they left for Lima. It was President David O. McKay’s 96th birthday, and in the morning Elder Hinckley had sent a telegram to President McKay with birthday greetings from the 60,000 members in South America and the missionaries of the ten South American missions.

This afternoon I participated in one of the most uplifting spiritual experiences of my life. Twelve of us were sitting in a casual circle in the living room of the mission home, receiving precious insights and sharing testimonies of a special and holy nature. Among our number was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.

President Johnson was running the show because, as Brother Hinckley had earlier pointed out while we circled the dinner table, he believed in being obedient to the mission president. However, as soon as the President had called us together and had called upon his assistant, Elder Bob Bailey, to offer the opening prayer, the time was offered to Brother Hinckley.

He remained sitting in the easy chair he was in and suggested that each of the eight young elders present take about three minutes each to express a few thoughts. Some very touching testimonies were borne during those few minutes. It is a rare privilege and opportunity to bear testimony to an Apostle.

Next Sister Johnson was called upon to speak. She brought tears to my eyes as she told of how her parents had finally caught the vision of the gospel just before they, the Johnsons, were called to Brazil and had turned from inactivity to go to the House of the Lord.

Sister Hinckley shared with us a few thoughts next. She is an able and gracious companion to her husband. She spoke of her joy in being with us and of the miracle of the great missionary system. She never worried about her sons while they were serving missions, just when they returned home did she begin to worry again.

Finally President Johnson bore his strong witness to us that he knew that this was the work and kingdom of God, expressing his overflowing gratitude and love for all those associated with him in this grand work.

Then all eyes turned to Brother Hinckley. Now it was his turn. He asked if he might remain seated because he wanted to talk casually and intimately with us, not wishing to preach. I saw true manhood and great humility as he sat there before us saying that he felt unworthy of the office of the apostleship. As he meets with missionaries across the width and breadth of the earth, he feels unworthy of the office. As he received such a warm welcome at the airport at 11:00 the evening before, he felt unworthy of the office. As he meetings in meetings of counsel with the other Brethren in the Salt Lake Temple, he feels unworthy of the office.

He shared with us a few touching and close associations he has had with our beloved prophet and leader, President David O. McKay. Just last year the Brethren of the Twelve and First Presidency met in President McKay’s apartment a few days before Christmas. As they each bore their testimonies, they expressed their love for President McKay. Tears came to his eyes and he said, “I am not worthy of your love and trust.” Now that was the Prophet speaking! There is no doubt that he is a prophet, Brother Hinckley said. It was appropriate for him to speak of the Prophet—today is President McKay’s 96th birthday.

Often we sing, “We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days.” But if we would really follow the Prophet, the Church would be twice as strong as it is, and we would be twice as blessed as a people. Brother Hinckley assured us that the Lord was preparing a successor to President McKay—a man who would have wide and deep experience, years of long service, of capable judgment, of character molded by life and tempered by the Holy Spirit of God. He felt the Lord was taking His time in preparing such a replacement. President McKay’s body is old and worn and weak, but his mind and spirit are firm and clear. When he passes away, there will be no politicking, no power plays—the Lord’s choice will be evident.

Brother Hinckley spoke of missionary work and the great miracle it is. He told us of how the Church is growing in the Far East, his responsibility for eight years, of how it is surging forward in California. He said he felt a special spirit about Brazil. Years of slow and long preparation will be giving way to a time of rich and fuller harvest. At times he feels concerned about São Paulo baptizing too fast. Twelve years ago (when President Hibbard, now president of the Brazilian Mission, was working there), São Paulo had one branch of 80 members, seven of which were active. This year over 2,000 converts will swell the wards of the two stakes there now. It is difficult to integrate so many new members.

He moved into other areas to share other missionary experiences with us, an area he has directly worked with since 1933. He mentioned a letter from their son, who was called from the North Argentine Mission to open up the missionary work in Spain. One thing that impressed me from this letter was that he mentioned their most effective missionary tools were fasting and prayer.

He closed his brief remarks—he was not really delivering a talk but just chatting—with an admonition to remain virtuous and faithful. He bore his witness, as a living Apostle, that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ and that this is indeed His Church here upon the earth today.
Brother Hinckley is a great man. He carries with him the Spirit of the Lord. He is intense in his untiring and devoted service. The Spirit bore witness to every soul that here was indeed a servant of the Lord.

Our meeting closed with a brief word of prayer given by our district leader, Elder Michael Morrell.

Brother Hinckley walked around the circle, shaking every hand, piercing into every soul, offering his best wishes. Tight schedules and other business beckoned, but our hour and a half with this great man is an experience long to be cherished.