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Written by Shahram Paksima
The anticipation had been running high for the last two months since we had all heard that Pres. Hinckley would be visiting India. The Indian saints were quite anxious to get a chance to see the first latter-day prophet to visit India in this dispensation-most likely ever…the only catch, due to security concerns and limited space, only those with prior invitations were allowed to attend. Aside from general members in Delhi, by and large the invitation went out to those in district and branch leadership positions in the rest of the branches around the country.
So with an invitation secured and travel plans finalized, nearly 500 members from all over India started their journey to get to Delhi. They came by train, plane, car and bus, many sacrificing their hard earned savings. It was a real blessing to see so many members of the church sacrifice so much to see a living prophet of God. Once in Delhi, some stayed in hotels, some with family, others were lucky enough to pile an innumerable number into friends’ homes. It reminded those of us there of the experiences in the early church when members would often open there homes to other members, displaying a sense of unity and collective purpose.
Once the day itself came, everybody put on their best clothes and prepared themselves in anticipation of what would certainly be a memorable day. The event was held at the Maurya Sheraton in Chanakyapuri in a conference hall designed to seat roughly 500 people. With all the 58 full-time, single missionaries standing and serving as ushers, it seemed like they were able to fit even more than 500 in the hall (some estimates put it at as high as 600).
Everyone was required to be in their seats nearly one hour before the actual meeting was to begin. In the prelude to the official meeting, there were a number of songs performed by a senior couple-missionary choir, single missionaries, and other local members of the church. The highlight for many of us there was when all of the current and returned missionaries that had served in India were asked to stand in their places and robustly sing Called to Serve. It was a powerful and inspiring prelude, setting the tone perfectly for the rest of the evening.
Elder Daryl H. Garn, Asia Area President, conducted the meeting and after an opening prayer by Sister Swarupa Katuka, the speakers included Elder Jackson (Area Authority Seventy), Dr. Staker (sp?, physician traveling with Pres. Hinckley), Sister Garn, Elder Garn, President Bonham, and finally Pres. Hinckley. There were many highlights from the talks of these individuals, but time and space only permit me to focus on Pres. Hinckley’s remarks.
President Hinckley began his address by saying, “I first came to this land nearly 41 years ago when there was not a single member of the Church in all of India!” He went on to somewhat humorously say, “...now so many years later, I have been all over this land. I have traveled to Coimbatore, Madras, Bangalore, Delhi…and all those other places!” Pres. Hinckley remarked on what a marvelous change had taken place in the Church in India and, in particular, how the country was being blessed today partly because of the growth of the Church. He said, “every time there is an added member of the Church, there is a better citizen of India, the country becomes that much better off because our people bring better strength and capacity.”
Next, he addressed the full-time missionaries, thanking them for their tireless efforts. He praised the senior couple missionaries for their selfless service at a time when they could be relaxing away at home. He then spoke directly to the native Indian missionaries and said he realized many were serving at a great sacrifice to themselves and their families. He promised them that “great opportunities will come to you because of your service.”
The bulk of President Hinckley’s talk focused on a review and commentary of the Articles of Faith, underlying the importance of fully embracing the fundamental doctrines of the restored gospel. He began this portion of his talk by citing the first article of faith and underscoring the importance of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. In commenting on the uniqueness of our conceptualization of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, the prophet stated, “Our definition of God is unique because it is not based on the reasoning of man… [it is] unique among all churches...it is not based, like most other churches, on the Nicene Creed, but our doctrine came from a personal visitation.”
After commenting a bit on the next few articles of faith, President Hinckley spent a fair amount of time stressing the importance of both the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. He said, “we have in this church a priesthood order different than any other, not obtained through study or training…[but rather, one that has come] through divine restoration…every worthy man can hold this priesthood.” He then stressed the importance of being worthy to hold and exercise this priesthood by saying, “don’t ever do anything in your lives which would disqualify you from receiving the blessings of the priesthood, from being able to receive the ministering of angels.”
He elaborated further by saying that he has often talked about the importance of being worthy of the priesthood and reminded us to, “be kind to one another, to your wives, to your children, and to your loved ones. Be men of God!” He summed up this part of his talk by saying, “Now men, live worthy of it, I humbly plead of you.”
The next major theme in President Hinckley’s talk centered on the importance of the Book of Mormon as a second witness of Jesus Christ and the role it plays in revealing truth in our lives today. He recounted how the scriptures in Ezekiel prophesied that one day the stick of Judah would be brought together with the stick of Ephraim and explained this was proof that we have modern-day revelation. He added, “The curtain has been parted…every worthy man in this congregation is promised that revelation if he lives worthily…I have witnessed myself the revealing power of God on behalf of this Church…that is the platform upon which the Church rests.”
He next turned his attention to the need to spread love in the world. He stated, “I think I have a love for the people of this country and the people of the whole world. Every person, every boy and girl is a child of God.”
In his great story-telling fashion, the prophet next shared an experience he had when speaking with Shimon Peres, a prominent national leader in Israel. With Israel facing a protracted and bitter struggle against its Palestinian brothers and sisters, President Hinckley asked Shimon Peres if he thought there would ever be peace between the two people. Mr. Peres answered by sharing a traditional Jewish story. Mr. Peres said that a Jewish rabbi asked his Muslim and Christian counterparts, “When does the night end and day begin?” The Muslim cleric responded by saying, “When we look out on the horizon and can distinguish the difference between a goat and a sheep.” The Christian leader responded by saying, “We know that the night has ended when we can look out on the horizon and, seeing two different trees, can distinguish an olive from a fig tree.” After a brief moment of silence, the Jewish rabbi finally said, “When you see a woman, black or white, you tell her, ‘You are my sister.’ When you see a man, rich or poor, and you tell him, ‘You are my brother.” This is when the night has ended and a new day has dawned.” After recounting this touching story, President Hinckley stressed, “We are all brothers and sisters…we may come from different racial strains, but we are all children of God!”
In summing up his feelings for the members in India, he finished in an incredibly touching way by saying, “This very well may be the last time I am able to visit you in this country. I am getting old and it is not likely that I will ever be here again…I want you to know how much I appreciate you, how much I love you, and how much I pray for you.” And in a refrain that sounded sublimely as though the Savior Himself were saying it, he finished his talk by saying, “May you be blessed to have food on your tables, clothes on your backs, a roof over your heads, and may Heaven smile upon you my dear brothers and sisters.”
It was an incredibly tender moment, one that touched the hearts of all those in attendance. After the closing prayer, given by Praveen Beesa, President of the New Delhi District, President Hinckley shuffled back up to the pulpit and expressed his gratitude for all of the sacrifices members had made to come and see him. He said he knew that many of them would have to travel long distances and that he wanted them to travel safely on their return home. Everyone then stood on their feet out of respect for the prophet and spontaneously broke out singing God Be with You Till We Meet Again. President Hinckley joined the crowd in singing and then said thank you a number of times, waved to the crowd, and exited the room. It was a perfect ending to a perfect evening!
Finally, while nothing could top the experience we had all just had, it was a sweet experience to see nearly 80 missionaries (including the senior couples and President and Sister Bonham) and over 600 members from all over the country meet and greet one another, some not having seen each other for many years. It seemed for that short space of time as though we were all in Heaven!
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