Stand Up for Truth | Gordon B. Hinckley | 1996

Gordon B. Hinckley encourages all to stand up for truth, for integrity, for loyalty, for all that is good. The world is counting on you.

This speech was given on September 17, 1996.

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It is an honor and a rare privilege to speak to this “stone-cold sober” gathering of university students.

You have done it again. You have made the national news. I was in Oregon on Sunday participating in a conference and read in the paper the Associated Press story of the Princeton Review’s “Advantage Guide to the Best 310 Colleges.”

Florida State University came out number one as the “party school” of the nation. George Washington University came out number two, and the University of Florida number three.

On the other side of the coin were the top 10 “stone-cold sober” schools.

Number one is Deep Springs College in Dyer, Nevada. I know nothing about that school. In fact, I had never before heard of Dyer, Nevada. I took occasion to look it up in my 1965 Rand McNally atlas. The map showed it to be very near the Nevada-California border, some distance from any large community. The population at the time my atlas was printed was 20 people. I am sure it has grown if it has a college.

I do not know the size of Deep Springs College, but I am confident that it in no way approaches the size of Brigham Young University, which was listed number two. I said to myself, “What a significant honor this is. It says in effect that BYU is judged to be the number one large university in terms of sobriety and a no-nonsense attitude on the part of the student body on why they are going to a university—that is, to gain an education to prepare for constructive careers.”

I followed down the column and discovered that the U.S. Military Academy at West Point followed BYU, and that this was followed by the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. I submit to you that you are in good company, the best the nation has to offer.

The story indicated that a young female music major at Florida State University, upon hearing of her school’s ranking, asked, “Where did we come in, in academics? Number 350?” (See The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon, Sunday, 15 September 1996.)

I do not know how many of you were interviewed for this survey, but to you who responded, I offer my congratulations. You spoke for this whole vast student body, and you spoke in such a way as to make us proud of you. I hope that while others may gain the reputation for being stone-cold inebriated—if that’s what “partying” denotes—you will be recognized for being stone-cold sober and alert and on top of things.

This is truly a unique university. It is a great institution. We have every confidence in its leadership, in President Bateman, in his associates in the administration, and in the faculty. How fortunate you are to be here. I bring you the commendation of the board of trustees and the compliments of the entire Church. I only wish that everyone who wanted to come here might have the opportunity. That very many were turned away is a fact with which you are all familiar.

I repeat what I have said before, that a vast amount of the tithing funds of the Church is required to make it possible for you to receive an education at this remarkable institution. How great is your responsibility, how compelling your trust, to give your very best effort during the season that you are here.

We are all concerned about the time required for the average student to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you will shorten that time through careful planning and consistent studies, you will make it possible for more worthy young people to come here, thereby blessing their lives and the lives of others they will influence through the years.

I recently reread a statement given on this campus years ago by Charles H. Malik, then secretary general of the United Nations. He said:

I respect all men, and it is from disrespect for none that I say there are no great leaders in the world today. In fact, greatness itself is laughed to scorn. You should not be great today—you should sink yourself into the herd, you should not be distinguished from the crowd, you should simply be one of the many..."

[RamseyDewey]

I listened to this talk live back in 1996. I have remembered it ever since.

[delmariecrandall]

I'm a convert from the Protestant church and have always remembered a sister's statement that President Hinkley was her favourite. She told me that a few years before the death of President Monson. Well, I have listened to SO many talks and I get so much vision of what is good and needed when I listen to President Hinkley. He was truly God's very special servant. I am grateful that technology allows me to view and listen to him as if he were here today!

[randomcitizen]

It’s like hearing from an old friend. The friend you know will love you no matter what.😊

[atyehatyeh]

He was one of my favorite Prophets, great sense of humor, approachable, humble. I can still hear his voice in my head don't be so hard on yourself don't look so gloomy everything is going to be okay

[germainrandrianasoloniaina]

I was not a member at the time but now I feel that what he said is true. Thank you president, we are now members. you are no more but we always love your word.
You are my great one.

[chocolate]

If I have a son someday, I would name him Hinckley. He is my very first prophet and his teachings about Jesus Christ have carried me through very challenging times of my life. Thank you so much, dear Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. 💌💌💌

[wingnut]

What a great talk! Its amazing how relevant the Prophet's teachings are almost a 1/4 century later! Thanks for posting this today. I hope all members of the church can join together in standing up for the principles of the Gospel and the values of the Church of Jesus Christ.

[pa-alayonko.center]

Thank you for touching the Doctrine of Moralogy in the Government System of Moralogy that were Presented to us in the pre-mortal existence President. Hope we could used it in our life here on earth. Thank you for everything you do for our Life growth here on mortality.May God be with you tell we meet again in the feet of our Father in Heaven.

[SadieRTrego]

The would have to be one of the best talks have listened to from a Prophet ever. Thank you for these talks they really help me want to draw near to God his Gospel and Church. 💗👍☺️

[JT-dufx]

Was truly a seer and prophet of God. This talk is timeless

[JessicaOrban]

I love him, he was the prophet of my childhood

[leswalker]

Excellent speaker and motivator, president Hinckley is one of my favorites. He's Old enough to know what he's talking about. I believe every word he speaks no doubt in my mind.

[CalledtoShare]

Such a phenomenal talk - and exactly what the world needs today!

[davidrichardson]

Man truly open to truth and the voice for the same

[delmariecrandall]

I hearkened back to when I graduated from UVIC in BC, Canada. I was not a member of the church then, though Christian. I am still ever so grateful I got to attend and to go on with a wonderful career in teaching special needs. Wish I'd known of BYU then. The students and faculty were sooo blessed to hear this challenging and most direct speech from President Kimble.

[joshuasmith]

"Be loyal to the Church. Stand tall for it. Defend it. Speak no evil against it. It is the work of God.
He that ridicules it or defames it offends Him whose church it is. It carries the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is as a wonderful mother to each of you in whose arms you find shelter, comfort, warmth and security.

Who's on the Lord's side who? Now is the time to show. We ask you fearlessly. Who's on the Lord's side who?"

[dlsdelessemusic]

This talk could have been given two weeks ago. Heed his words! Love President Hinckley!!

[pa-alayonko.center]

Thank you for talking about the doctrine of Fatherology Government system President Gordon B. Hinckley.

[johnnyharrison]

U really enjoy listening to history and the enduring messages

[Natalie-lovesGod]

To those who read this. You are Worth whatever effort it takes!
You were worth dying for, and still are! Worth doesn't equal worthiness. You've worth doesn't change even if worthiness does. Worth is given because you are a son or daughter of a loving, living God. Worthines has to do with our free agency. He will not take our will; will is the only thing we can truly give Him, for he has everything else.
See-"Value Beyond Measure" by Joy D Jones