ROBERT DEAN HALES Summary

BORN: 24 August 1932   

PLACE OF BIRTH:

New York City, New York, United States
(Raised in Queens.)

FATHER:  John Rulon Hales

MOTHER: Vera Marie Holbrook Hales

ELDER ROBERT D HALES

of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Key Doctrines:

“We are living in the last days, in ‘perilous times’ (2 Timothy 3:1)” teaches Elder Robert D Hales. “Today temptation finds you! Please remember that! Satan desires to have you . . . How will you resist his aggressive tactics? Put on the whole armor of God.” [1]

Elder Robert D Hales speaks of our commitment to act on the teachings of Jesus Christ: “This is the call of Christ to every Christian today: ‘Feed my lambs’. . . share my gospel . . . lifting, blessing, comforting, encouraging, and building [my sheep].” He explains how “ [Christ], blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength . . . allowing us to go beyond . . . [what we] thought possible.” He reminds us that although the call, “can seem demanding, [or] even overwhelming . . . we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work.” To truly become more like Christ we must, as Elder Hales teaches, “Deny ourselves of ungodly behavior . . . [through] repentance . . . until ‘we have no more disposition to do evil (Mosiah 5:2).’ This change, called conversion, is possible only through the Savior. . . . We are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer want . . . our old ways.” [2]

He also teaches about gratitude and provident living. His story about being a newly-wed away in the military and, upon returning home, wanting to buy a dress for a gift for his wife is touching. She honored his desire to give but helped him to realize they could not afford it. It is important to distinguish between needs and wants to live providently.

I learned:

Elder Hales is in "Ripley's Believe It or Not" for pitching in a baseball game with no hits by either team. 

Elder Hales shared, “When I was a deacon, my father took me to the Sacred Grove . . . There we prayed together and dedicated our lives. Then he talked to me of sacred things. When we got back home, my father, who worked as an artist in New York City, painted a picture of the Sacred Grove for me. I’ve always hung that picture in my office, and when I look at it, I remember my father and our talk that summer afternoon.”

In 1954 after graduating with a degree in communications and business, from University of Utah, he went into active duty in the United States Air Force. Serving for four years as a jet fighter pilot. While serving in the air force he learned an important principle. “Our unit motto was ‘Return with Honor,’” says Elder Hales. “This motto was a constant reminder to us of our determination to return to our home base with honor after we had expended all of our efforts to successfully complete every aspect of our mission.”

Elder Hales later received many other degrees. As a business professional, he served in executive positions with four major national companies: the Gillette Co. (Papermate), Max Factor , Hughes Television Network, and Chesebrough-Pond's.

He served as the Presiding Bishop of the church from 1985-1994.

He teaches:

 “A true friend doesn’t ask us to choose between the gospel and his or her friendship. From such turn away (2 Timothy 3:5).” A true friend strengthens us to stay on the strait and narrow path.”

“Use your agency to develop yourself personally. . . [by letting] the Spirit guide you."

 "Choose and act for yourself. Be motivated from within. Make a plan for your life. . . . Explore interests and skills. Work and become self-reliant. Set goals, overcome mistakes, gain experience, and finish what you begin. . . . Be sure to participate . . . enjoy wholesome fun.  . . . Above all, have faith in the Savior! Fear not! As we diligently live the gospel, we become strong in the Lord. . . . In the strength of the Lord we are able to stand against any philosophy or creed that denies the Savior and contradicts the great, eternal plan of happiness for all of God’s children.”

“Sometimes we become the lightning rod, and we must “take the heat” for holding fast to God’s standards and doing His work. I testify that we need not be afraid if we are grounded in His doctrine. . . . we are never alone. . . . It is our sacred privilege to stand with [the Savior]! Ironically, standing strong sometimes means avoiding and even fleeing from the world.”

“As we diligently live the gospel, we become strong in the Lord . . . to stand against any philosophy or creed that denies the Savior and contradicts the great, eternal plan of happiness for all of God’s children.” (My emphasis.) [3]

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[1]  Elder ROBERT D HALES of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, “Stand Strong in Holy Places,”183rd Annual General Conference, 6 April 2013

[2] Elder ROBERT D HALES of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Being a More Christian Christian” 182nd Semi-annual General Conference, October 2012

[3] Elder ROBERT D HALES of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Stand Strong in Holy Places,” 183rd Annual General Conference  Priesthood Session, 6 April 2013