Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, Part Two: William Robert Anderson and the Power of Belief

For Part One, or Part Three, click appropriately. 

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley's talk in the October 1971 General Conference, "If Ye Be Willing and Obedient", goes on to discuss the efforts of another maritime historical figure: 

 

The Quote

"What marvelous things happen when men walk with faith 

in obedience to that which is required of them! 

I recently read the interesting story of Commander William Robert Anderson, 

the naval officer who took the submarine Nautilus beneath the polar ice 

from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, 

a daring and dangerous feat. 

It recounted a number of other exploits of similar danger. 

It concluded with a statement that he carried in his wallet 

a tattered card that had on it these words, which I commend to you:

“I believe I am always divinely guided.

I believe I will always take the right road.

I believe God will always make a way where there is no way.”

 

Nautilus 90 North

 Elder Hinckley is referring to a book written by Commander William Anderson, about his mission to pilot a nuclear sub under the polar ice cap, in response to the Sputnik launch by the Russians. His successful ability to do so gave a great technological advantage to the United States once again, and paved the way for future explorations under the North Pole.

It sounds terrifying, and such an uncharted trip would require a lot of faith in oneself and in God.

But don't we all have our own adventures we face - situations we never expected to find ourselves in - and isn't it a comfort to be able to reach out for Divine benevolent assistance when it's needed?

God and Christ have always been that assistance for me, through all sorts of adventures. 

Some may say that's naive, to reach out for someone that's in my mind.

Well, I will tell you, if Christ is all in my mind, He's been an extraordinarily consistent imaginary friend. Eventually, when I put my faith in Christ, just like a seed grows into a tree and then an oak, so my faith grows into experience which grows into knowledge and absolute trust.

And now, I am always divinely guided. 

I know I will always take the right road.

And, I know God will make a way when there is no way, if it's His will.

If it's not His will, there will be another way to follow. A better way.

That's what I know now. 

 

And if a belief in Christ can bring out the best in people such as William Robert Anderson, charging through the South Pole in a nuclear submarine, how bad is that? 

Looking forward to reading his book - it's going on the list. :-) 

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, Part One - Lord Nelson and Working Together in a Great Cause

For Part Two or Part Three of this series, choose your link and click. 

 

It's a rainy day here where I live - the rain reminds me of England. And today's quote from Elder Gordon B. Hinckley's talk, "If Ye Be Willing and Obedient", really transports me back there in my mind:

 

The Quote 

"Recently I stood in Trafalgar Square in London and looked up at the statue of Lord Nelson. 

At the base of the column are his words 

uttered on the morning of the Battle of Trafalgar: 

“England expects that every man will do his duty.” 

Lord Nelson was killed on that historic day in 1805, 

as were many others; but England was saved as a nation, 

and Britain became an empire."

 

 Lord Horatio Nelson

You wanna talk about mythic? 

We have our George Washington, our Abraham Lincoln, and the Britons have Lord Horatio Nelson. That's how much status he accords. 

 

The Battle of Trafalgar, where this quote comes from, was a massive victory for the British, but he did die in that battle, shot by a French marksman. This, however, is the first quote in General Conference that was not spoken, but hoisted in semaphore on his ship as he led them into battle.

 In the very heart of London stands a monument to Lord Nelson, called Trafalgar Square. It's a statue of him on a tall pedestal, surrounded by huge lion statues at the base - a testament to his courage and his capabilities. 

Also a good place for tourist to get mugged by very aggressive pigeons - I lost a good tuna sandwich there one day.

The quote to me is a great summary of a leader - someone who places high expectations on those he leads, but then leads them himself, putting himself at risk and setting the example of how to live and how to fight, even at great personal cost.

Lord Nelson counts in this respect as a Christlike example - giving all that he was, and had, for others. Leading them and encouraging them to be the best they could be in the face of overwhelming odds. That's also what Jesus Christ did for us.

Certainly Lord Nelson wasn't a perfect man - only Jesus Christ was perfect. Lord Nelson was not faithful to his wife. His accomplishments to some speak of colonialism, and are somewhat controversial in that respect. But in the life he led and in his death, he saved millions and engendered great respect and honor.