Day of Decision

When we look back on our lives, we sometimes recognize a day of decision. A day, or two or three or more, in which we make a decision that makes a significant difference in the course of our lives.  

I was moved by this account of Gordon Hinckley's day of decision. As a young, discouraged missionary, he had a decision to make. He decided to turn himself and his life over to the Lord. What a difference it made for him and for the millions of people who were blessed by his love and his service on behalf of the Lord. 

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In July 1987 Gordon Hinckley, then a counselor in First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, traveled to Preston, England on assignment. 54 years previously he served there as a missionary. On this return trip he visited several sites of importance from his mission, including the house where he and his companion lived all those years ago. The current resident came out and invited President and Sister Hinckley into her home and said they were welcome to go upstairs to the bedroom where young Gordon Hinckley had an experience that set the course for the rest of his life. Gerry Avant, who was along on the trip, describes that visit. 

“Then we got in the car. I was in the back seat with President and Sister Hinckley. As we started to drive off, he spoke with tears in his eyes and emotion in his voice. He said, “I had to go upstairs to that room. That is where I experienced a day of decision.”

“He explained that he had become discouraged as a young missionary because he had arrived in Preston in poor health and no one seemed interested in hearing his message.

“I wrote a letter home to my father and told him I felt I was wasting my time and his money,” President Hinckley said. “My father wrote back a very short letter. It said, ‘Dear Gordon, I have your letter. I have only one suggestion: Forget yourself and go to work.’

“I went upstairs to that bedroom and got on my knees, and said to the Lord, ‘I will try to forget myself and go to work. I will try to lose my life in Thy service, but I need help.’ That was my day of decision.”

President Hinckley said marvelous things had happened to him since then, having traveled throughout the world on the Lord’s errand.

“And,” he added, “it all started here in Preston.”

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Forget ourselves and go to work, all the time asking for the Lord's help. That's a great plan for moving on through challenging times in our lives. 

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Read entire article here