A couple of weeks ago, I went to a stake fireside where Steven Covey spoke. There were so many good things that he said and some great ideas and suggestions, but there was one thing that he said that has really stuck with me.
He was asked to go to the White House and help with the transitioning between President Bush and President Obama. While he was there, he had an hour alone with President Bush in his office. He told Pres. Bush how grateful he was for his example of faith and His love for God. President Bush thanked him and then told him that there was one question that he had that had weighed very heavily on his mind for some time. He wondered what happens to all of those people around the world who never have the chance to hear or learn about Jesus Christ and His redemptive powers. Steven Covey then spent the rest of the hour teaching him about the Plan of Salvation and the work that is performed in temples. He said that during this conversation he realized why Bush may have been in favor of starting the war in Iraq, because he knew that without freedom and Democracy, they might not ever have a chance to learn of Jesus Christ. He then said that before he left, after he had finished explaining our beliefs as members of the LDS church, that President Bush, all teary-eyed, stood up, hugged him, and sincerely thanked him for sharing his beliefs.
There are a lot of people out there who say a lot of bad things about Pres. Bush. Who criticize every word mispoken. I'm sure he made mistakes, just as EVERYONE on this earth does, but he also made many good decisions. I am so thankful that such a man was chosen to lead our country. A man who understands what it means to love God and love his neighbor.
9 comments:
Wow...that's awesome!!
I knew that Pres. Bush was a "christian man" (so to speak) -but that's interesting about the conversation he had with Stephen Covey. Thanks for sharing that! ;)
I was a Bush supporter. He is a good man and a Christian to boot. That was a great story about him. Who knows maybe someday he may decide to join the church.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for posting this!
Wow- Melissa I LOVED this post. I have truly believed that his action were justly motivated, and that even when the entire world turned against him he still stood for what was right. (yes even though he made a few mistakes...)
I was very impressed with Pres. Bush's closing speech (or what ever it was called) He actaully made a comment about God giving every man freedom to choose, and I think if we transferred that to gospel language he was sharing the truth about agency. I have always seen him as a sincere man. I loved hearing this about him.
Sorry my comments have been so long lately!
That's a great story!
Thanks for sharing. I always felt that he was a good Christian man.
I LOVED reading about this. To be honest, I loved President Bush and now it makes me even more sad he is no longer in office. Great post! Thanks for sharing. As for your mothers post, loved it! You are so thoughtful and so in tune with writing what others need to hear.. including me! Love ya girl!
Although I disagreed with a few of Bush's policies, I felt that he was an honorable man who did his best. And I'm grateful for how diligently he protected our country after 9-11. Thank you for sharing this story!
Thanks for sharing, Melissa. I voted for him, and found myself quite disappointed in him at times. But, he had a very difficult job and he had good intentions. I appreciate knowing he had that conversation with Bro. Covey.
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