Hales - A Question of Free Agency - April 1975

Elder Hales speaks for the first time in General Conference as a newly called Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve.  He speaks about his call to the ministry.  He says his secretary walked into a meeting and whispered that a Marion T. Romney was on the phone and said that if I told you he was calling, you would leave the meeting and take his call.  Of course, it was Marion G. Romney and he was correct.  Elder Hales left the room immediately and took his phone call.

• Brother Romney asked me five questions. He asked me if I would go on a mission; he asked me if I was worthy; he was concerned about my 17-year-old son, my finances, and my health.
• I will tell you this, something I learned long ago: It is a question of free agency. On any one of those five questions, had I had to give a no I would have lost my free agency. I was financially able, I was morally able, and I knew the law of consecration and what it meant; and I appreciated the opportunity.

He speaks about dedicating his life and all that he has to the ministry.  He speaks of the law of consecration that he committed to live when called upon to do it.

• I have learned from Joseph Fielding Smith, and have talked to young people, about the law of consecration. It is not one particular event; it is a lifetime, day by day, in which we all strive to do our best that we might live honorable lives, that we might live the best we can in the service of others, as President Joseph Fielding Smith talked about—not as his grandfather, Hyrum Smith, gave his life when he was with the Prophet, but giving our lives each day.

He speaks about the dedication to consecrate your life to God.  He shares his thoughts about working with the Quorum of the Twelve and how these men will lead us in the right paths if we will listen to their guidance.

• It is not in death or in one event that we give our lives, but in every day as we are asked to do it.
• In the Regional Representative work, I have been able, over the past five years, to have the hardening of the steel—to watch and work with these men who have been called as special witnesses of God, that they might know and teach and train the priesthood holders with whom they deal.
• Do you realize that these men have revelation every Sunday when a stake is formed? As a Regional Representative assisting and kneeling in prayer with them as they give voice through the Spirit, one is able to participate in knowing that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that we have a prophet of God who is here this day, and that we have special witnesses who will lead and guide us, if we will but listen to their voice.

Although he doesn't know what the future holds, he promises his full dedication to the future ministry he is about to be part of.

• I ask the Lord’s blessings, that I might be one in purpose with the Twelve and with all the General Authorities, and with you, my brothers and sisters; and I say to the priesthood holders that any one of you could be here this day. One cannot ask the question “Why me?” and dwell on it. But I will do as the prophet has said, to put behind me my past life and dedicate and consecrate all my time, talents, and efforts to His work.

We are going to learn a lot about Elder Hales over the next two and a half months as we read each of his General Conference talks.  His service as an Assistant to the Twelve, Presiding Bishop, and Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, have all been calling that he as served faithfully in.  I look forward to getting to know him through his talks and learn more about his life and what has molded him into the person he is.  Join me each day on this journey as we discover the amazing testimony this servant of God has.