Giving is art of living a good life, says Huntsman
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"Have you ever had cancer? Have you ever seen a child without shoes?
Have your ever seen the hopelessness in a homeless man when he is begging
for help? Do you understand people who are hungry? Do you understand people
who are in need?"
The answers to those questions explain why Jon and Karen Huntsman donate so much to the less fortunate of the world. Brother Huntsman is head of the world's largest chemical company and he and his wife are major philanthropists. The Huntsmans were honored by the BYU Management Society for their generosity and accomplishments April 29 with the "1999 Distinguished Utahns of the Year Award."
"That's why we do what we do," he said. "It is important to us, very important to us, that we not be deprived from these types of blessings, and the great privilege of helping our brothers and sisters throughout the world."
Their award was an original piece of Native American art depicting a broken arrow, a gesture of courage and peace.
In attendance were President Gordon B. Hinckley, his first counselors and other members of the Quorum of the Twelve and their individual wives. President Thomas S. Monson and his wife Frances; and President James E. Faust, and his wife, Ruth; respectively.
The Huntsmans were introduced by Elder David B. Haight, who said the gifts for which his son-in-law and daughter are well-known have been made possible by their "ingenuity, hard work, belief in one's self, and hanging in there and being able to find solutions to serious problems, and prayer.
Brother Huntsman said the "art of life is not making money, it is not raking in titles, it is not heralding oneself in television or news stories." Rather, he said, it is in giving. "I try to go out into the world and give a little hope. I wish we could give more, but I am very very grateful to the Lord for what we do have, and what we do give."
