The Quest for Excellence | Gordon B. Hinckley

Stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. We are of the family of God, with such a tremendous potential for excellence.
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"I first read these words 67 years ago in a college English class:
What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! [William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act 2, scene 2]
I recognize that these words of Hamlet were spoken in irony. And yet there is so much of truth in them. They describe the great potential excellence of men and women. If Shakespeare had written nothing else, I think he would have been remembered for these few words of soliloquy. They go hand in hand with these words of David:
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. [Psalms 8:3-5]
And the words of the Lord to Job when He spoke out of the whirlwind and declared:
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. . . .
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? [Job 38:4, 7]
These magnificent words declare the wonder of man. And when I speak of man, I of course speak also of woman. We are all children of God, and there is something of His divinity within each of us. We are more than a son or daughter of Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So who reside in such-and-such a place. We are more than a student at BYU. We are of the family of God, with such a tremendous potential for excellence. The distance between mediocrity and excellence can be ever so small. As we shall see again when the Winter Olympics come to Salt Lake City in 2002, that difference will be measured in tenths of seconds. The little extra effort we make becomes such a tremendous difference." - President Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley was president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 10 November 1998.
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[@rorisangmapheleba4545]

President was preaching this on 10 November 1998, 11 days before my birthday (21 November 1998) 🙏🏾

[@Moose1032]

When I prayed and received an answer to my prayers regarding the Book of Mormon I began watching General Conference and President Hinkley was the reason I knew we had a living prophet on earth. He was the first prophet I ever heard with my ears. I miss him and I love him. He was indeed a special man.

[@theresabeauchamp2189]

Never lose your testimony!

[@marciomacedo2040]

So uplifting. How sweet and loving President Hinckley is. Miss him!

[@suetate4489]

Love and miss this prophet of god ❤️

[@ElsieChambersElavore]

I like that he says we are not all genius but that we still need to strive for better or more.

[@tpstrat14]

Hmm... I didn't like that. I think the opposite is true. We ARE all genius, but that doesn't mean we need to strive for better or more. We can love ourselves 100% just as we are

[@ytsur549]

What a beautiful message.

[@endunin1732]

Interesting how this was posted 7 years ago, but the comments are all recent. Looks like I’m not the only one being inspired to listen to President Hinkley

[@endunin1732]

Hinckley

[@ZeyaniRSChrisanna]

Celestial Telepathy And Algorithm’s! 🙏🧡😎

[@JeffTiberend]

I’m an ex-Mormon who misses President Hinkley. He words were such wonderful rays of light in a dark word.

[@pisaripley1820]

My favorite he’s very spiritual n inspiring

[@joshuacotton6436]

He's still with us

[@lowchlan]

14:51 "I plead with you: Don't be a scrub!"

[@rharveyschwartzman6485]

I love you Pops ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lindsayhengehold5341]

Interesting chap

[@JPBotero717]

One of the most excellent commit people I knew was GBH

[@rainbowalbrecht2532]

Good points here.

[@marieannbarnhurst1542]

Love talk

[@ZeyaniRSChrisanna]

⭐️⭐️🧡⭐️⭐️

[@anithakannan9711]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@murrianna3304]

This talk was first given on November 10, 1998. It's still relevant today.

[@daphneraven6745]

He’s right. Excellence is not just for exceptional people. Our choices are what make us exceptional. And a person can develop values that transcend those of society and their environment, even familial values and aspirations.And so much more.

[@bobbq8380]

Amen dearly beloved, true prophet of God. Rest in heaven with your wonderful wife ❤❤

[@byuspeeches]

Thanks for watching, Bob.

[@Polecat-qz5om]

I feel that my life is going like this nurse. I’m crying listening to this. Leadership is lonely and I am grateful for what I have but my dating life is over at 33 . My drive to help people who are suffering is so powerful that I put science before everything. God I pray that I will have the capacity to love.

[@kenddallstephenson6928]

I was a registered nurse I'm a 67 year old man now single still love the Art and Science of nursing but I'm not practicing anymore I learned about Florence Nightingale and the breakthroughs is she made in the nursing industry in the healthcare industry simply washing hands between patients and changing bedding and use a little bit of aseptic technique made the survival rate of their soldiers in under her care Skyrocket. The nursing profession learning from Florence Nightingale. I miss the Art and Science of patient care it made me feel good about myself. And it's a lot of fun sometimes heartbreaking.

[@kenddallstephenson6928]

I was an RN and I love the joy of taking care of people I've been out of the profession for a few years now.

[@bridgemcomie5399]

This was made 8 years ago and I'm just watching it. The words are still relevant.

[@renanrossi65]

Even more scary, this was 23 years ago actually.

[@lukedav]

Powerful stuff here

[@jbond7420]

"Dont be a scrub!" love that comment!

[@loganmclean6510]

Be excellent :)

[@moirawatson-pickering7228]

The year my darling, was born!🤔🌻 Now he's though the Vail. teaching others. And learning and growing strong, in the gospel 🙏 as he would, of here! Isn't the Gospel amazing! Isn't our Savior Jesus Christ amazing! So thankful for the wonderful plan, of salvation. Families Are Forever my friends!!! 🌻🤗 What a excellent gift the gospel is. Amen🙏❤️ Happy Good Friday! 15/4/22 6:28pm 🇬🇧

[@MercedesHale-jx3tu]

Cielos! Estaba sirviendo la mision en California.!!!!

[@chuckintexas]

An Apostle of The LORD Jesus Christ and PROPHET to the world has taught TRUTH . THANK you President Hinckley .

[@tenorsoul87]

God ls good!!

[@tenorsoul87]

😱 WOW! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[@tenorsoul87]

GOD!!!!!!!!!!

[@tenorsoul87]

Nelson.

[@kennydobbins1345]

This is Gordon B Hinckley. He was before President Russell M Nelson and Thomas S Monson.