"My call to you this morning is a call to faith, that faith which is the 'substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen' " said President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Photo by Ravell Call

President Gordon B. Hinckley emphasizes the faith of an investigator during his Sunday morning address. He stands at the Conference Center pulpit adorned with spring flowers.

Speaking during the Sunday morning session, President Hinckley said during the process of conversion, the investigator of the Church hears a little and reads a little. "He does not, he cannot, comprehend the wonder of it all. But if he is earnest in his search, if he is willing to get on his knees and pray about it, the Spirit touches his heart, perhaps ever so lightly. It points him in the right direction. He sees a little of what he has never seen before. And with faith, whether it be recognized or not, he takes a few guarded steps. Then another vista opens before him."

President Hinckley said that long ago, while working for the railroad, he often rode the trains. "Those great monsters of the rails were huge and fast and dangerous. I often wondered how the engineer dared the long journey through the night. Then I came to realize that it was not one long journey, but rather a constant continuation of a short journey. The engine had a powerful headlight that made bright the way for a distance of 400 or 500 yards. The engineer saw only that distance, and that was enough because it constantly was before him all through the night into the dawn of a new day."

So it is with an eternal journey, said President Hinckley.

"We take one step at a time. In doing so we reach toward the unknown, but faith lights the way. If we will cultivate that faith, we shall never walk in darkness."

President Hinckley spoke of a man who converted to the gospel one step at a time — first by prayer, then by the fellowship of others, and then, after baptism, by accepting responsibility in the Church. Today this convert stands as a capable and loved stake president, a leader of great wisdom and understanding and, above all, a man of great faith.

"The challenge which faces every member of this Church is to take that next step, to accept that responsibility to which he is called, even though he does not feel equal to it, and to do so in faith with the full expectation that the Lord will light the way before him."

President Hinckley then recounted the story of a woman in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She worked while going to school and, one month, did not make enough money to pay both tithing and her school fees. She chose to pay tithing. The following day her employer told her the company would pay the cost of her college and books.

"Faith is the very fiber that gives strength to this work," President Hinckley said. "Wherever this Church is established, across this broad world, it is evident. It is not limited to one country or one nation or one language or one people. It is found everywhere. We are a people of faith. We walk by faith. We move forward on our eternal journey one step at a time."

President Hinckley said the promise of the Lord to the faithful everywhere is great. Quoting Doctrine and Covenants 76:1, 5-10, he said, " 'I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. . . .'

"How could anyone ask for more? How glorious is this work in which we are engaged. How wondrous are the ways of the Almighty when we walk in faith before Him."

The faith of an investigator, said President Hinckley, is like a piece of green wood thrown on a blazing fire. Warmed by the flames, it dries and begins to burn. But if it is pulled away it cannot sustain itself. Its flickering flame dies. But if left with the fire it gradually begins to burn with brightness. Soon it is part of the flaming fire and will light other greener wood.

"And so goes, my brothers and sisters, this great work of faith, lifting people across this broad earth to increased understanding of the ways of the Lord and greater happiness in following His pattern. May God our Eternal Father continue to smile upon this, His kingdom, and cause it to prosper as we His children walk in faith, is my humble prayer."