Harold G. Hillam

April 2005
One of the talks that has had an everlasting impression on me is one given in a Saturday evening session of a stake conference years ago. The talk was given by a young mother. Here's what she said: "I have been doing the genealogy of my great-grandfather. He and his large family of sons and daughters were members of the Church.
"My great-grandfather," she said, "left church one Sunday with his family, and they never returned—no indication why."
She then said, "In my research, I have found that my great-grandfather has over 1,000 descendants."
And then she said, and this is the part I have not been able to forget, "Of those 1,000 descendants, I am the only one active in the Church today."
As she said these words, I found myself thinking, "Is it only 1,000, or could it be more?"
The answer is apparent. The spiritual influence that family might have had on their neighbors and friends did not happen. None of his sons nor any of his daughters served as missionaries, and those they would have touched with their testimonies were not baptized, and those who were not baptized did not go on missions. Yes, there are probably many thousands who are not in the Church today, and not in this very meeting, because of that great-grandfather's decision.

I would like to tell you of a stake conference I was assigned to attend. It was a reorganization; the stake president and his counselors would be released, and a new presidency would be called. The stake president was young and had served wonderfully for almost 10 years. He was a spiritual giant, but he was also an administrative giant. In my personal interview with him, he told me how he had delegated much of the responsibility for the stake functions to his counselors and to the high council and had thus freed himself to interview those who needed encouragement. Individuals and couples were invited to come to his office. There he got to know them, counseled with them, and invited them to do better, to put their lives in order, and to receive the blessings available to those who follow the Lord. He helped them by putting them in the care of a capable leader, a teacher who helped them to understand the beauties of the doctrine. Then he told me that in these interviews he would often ask if they would like a blessing. "I have placed my hands on the heads of many members of the stake," he said.
The next day in the general session of the stake conference, I doubt I have ever seen so many tears—not because they felt the president should not be released, but for the deep love of a young stake president who had blessed their lives. I felt prompted to ask, "How many of you have had the hands of the president on your heads?" I was amazed at the number of people who raised their hands. I thought to myself at the time, "How many of these people will bless the name of this great man, not only now but throughout the eternities?" Yes, these will be the great-grandfathers who will, because of this loving leader, leave a legacy of generations of thousands who will call him blessed.

Sacrifice in the Service
October 1995

In the spirit of sacrifice, I recall a conversation I had some years ago with my stake president in Idaho. We were discussing the forthcoming Aaronic Priesthood/Scout camp-out. I explained to him that it would be necessary for each person to bring his own sleeping bag, to which the president replied, "I have never slept in a sleeping bag." I quickly responded, "President, you can't be serious. You have lived in beautiful Idaho all these years and you have never slept in a sleeping bag?"
"Nope!" he said, "I never have. But I have sure lain in a lot of 'em." And then he went on to say, "And I'll lie in a whole bunch more of them if it will help to save boys."
Now to the present for an interview I had with a handsome zone leader in the Brazil Sao Paulo Interlagos Mission. I said to the missionary, "Tell me about your family." He then relayed the following. He was born into a wealthy family. His father had a responsible position in a multinational corporation. They moved from Brazil to Venezuela. He was one of seven children, all members of the Church.
When the missionary was fifteen years old, his father was shot and killed by a fleeing thief. In a family council it was decided to return to Brazil and invest their savings in the purchase of a small home. A year and a half later, the mother informed the children that she had been diagnosed with cancer. The family used valuable savings to help pay the medical expenses--but to no avail. Six months later the mother passed away, leaving the young family alone.
Our young missionary, Elder Bugs (pronounced Boogs), now sixteen years old, went to work, first selling clothing, then later computer supplies. He used his hard-earned money to support the young family. He said, "We were always blessed to have enough to eat. I would work during the day, then help the children with their studies at night: I especially miss my little sister. I taught her to read."
Elder Bugs continued, "Then the bishop invited me to come in for an interview. He called me on a mission. I told him I would need to speak with my family first. In our family council, they reminded me that Dad had always taught us that we should be prepared to serve the Lord as full-time missionaries. I accepted the call. When I received my letter from the prophet, I withdrew all my savings. I bought a new suit, a pair of pants, white shirts and ties, and a new pair of shoes. I gave the rest of the money to the bishop (enough for about four months of support for the family). I hugged my little family and left for my mission."
I looked at that brave young man and I said, "But Elder, with you away, who is taking care of your family?"
"Oh," he said, "my brother is sixteen. He is the same age I was when our mother died. He is taking care of the family now."
I had an opportunity recently to talk by telephone with Elder Bugs. He has been home from his mission for six months now. When I asked him how he was doing, he said, "I have a good job again and I am caring for the family, but oh, how I miss my mission. It was the greatest thing I have ever done. I am now helping my younger brother prepare for his mission."