Marion Hanks was one of the youngest modern-day general authorities. At just age 31, he was called to be one of the 7 presidents in the First Council of 70! His son Richard Hanks has written a biography called “To Be a Friend of Christ.” We will learn more about Marion’s life without a father growing up. Check out our conversation…

Richard Hanks shares his background, mentioning his father Marion D Hanks’ role as a general authority for nearly 40 years. He explains the process of writing his father’s biography, including the initial 1200-page manuscript that was cut down to 600 pages.

Marion D Hanks’ Early Life and Education

Richard Hanks provides details about his father’s upbringing, including growing up without a father after his father died when he was two years old. Marion D Hanks attended East High School and BYU, where he excelled in basketball and was the editor of the magazine at West High School. Richard Hanks shares anecdotes about his father’s athletic abilities and his involvement in the all-church basketball tournament and the University of Utah. Marion D Hanks’ served a mission when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. When he came home, he joined the navy and was stationed in Hawaii during World War II where he met his future wife.

Marion D Hanks’ Calling as a General Authority

After the war, Marion completed law school at the University of Utah, married his wife, and started teaching seminary at West High School and served as a tour guide on Temple Square. As just 31 years old, Marion was one of the youngest general authorities when he was called by Pres Mckay in the First Council of 70. Richard explains the structure of the General Authorities in the 1950s, stating that there were only the 7 presidents of the 70, who presided over the stake Seventies (which were dissolved under Pres Kimball in the late 1970s.) Marion D Hanks was called to replace Richard L Evans. Richard Hanks recounts the story of his father’s call, including the emotional impact on his mother and the subsequent events at General Conference. The conversation touches on the challenges and responsibilities of being a General Authority, including the lack of weekends and retirement.

Marion D Hanks’ Service and Contributions

Richard Hanks highlights his father’s dedication to Temple Square and his role in hiring notable individuals like Russell Nelson and Neal Maxwell who also worked as guides on Temple Square. Marion D Hanks’ continued his involvement in various church activities, including teaching seminary and institute at the University of Utah. Richard Hanks shares personal anecdotes about his father’s work ethic and his commitment to counseling and ministering to individuals.

Marion D. Hanks’ Unique Approach to Faith

Richard Hanks describes his father’s lack of interest in discussing science, history, theology, or technology, despite his deep understanding of doctrines. Richard explains his father’s focus on the scriptures and the teachings of Jesus Christ, rather than administrative duties or theological debates. Richard emphasizes his father’s unique approach to ministry, focusing on mercy, forgiveness, and the teachings of Jesus, rather than punishment and suffering.

Marion D. Hanks’ Beliefs and Practices

Richard Hanks discusses his father’s emphasizing mercy and uplifting teachings. He highlights his father’s friendship with Bruce R. McConkie and their differing views on forgiveness and mercy. Richard shares examples of his father’s actions, such as resigning from a bishop’s committee due to strict standards on past sins and focusing on Jesus’ teachings of mercy. He mentions his father’s unique approach to missionary work, emphasizing service and the teachings of Matthew 25 over numerical goals.

Mission to England/Stopping Baseball Baptisms

Pres McKay sent Marion D. Hanks on a mission to England to address the issue of “baseball baptisms,” where missionaries were baptizing children without parental consent. Richard explains the context of the baseball baptisms and his father’s role in stopping the practice. He describes the challenges his father faced, including criticism from Henry D. Moyle (of the First Presidency) and other church leaders, and his father’s focus on following the Lord’s plan. Richard shares how his father’s actions led to a significant decrease in baptisms but improved the quality and retention of new converts. Missionaries (and future apostles) Jeffrey Holland and Quentin Cook served under Marion Hanks, as well as Michael Quinn.

Marion D. Hanks’ Impact on Missionary Work

Richard Hanks discusses his father’s belief in the importance of service and the teachings of Matthew 25 in missionary work. He shares stories of his father’s personal service, such as helping neighbors with their garbage cans and digging people out of snowstorms. Richard highlights his father’s work in Vietnam, where he interviewed soldiers and wrote letters to their families to provide comfort and support. He emphasizes his father’s commitment to personal service and the teachings of Jesus Christ, which informed his approach to missionary work and leadership.

Marion D. Hanks’ Legacy and Influence

Richard Hanks reflects on his father’s legacy and the impact of his teachings on future church leaders and missionaries. He mentions the numerous mission presidents and apostles who were influenced by his father’s teachings and approach to ministry. Richard shares his father’s belief in the importance of souls over statistics and his efforts to promote service and retention in missionary work. He concludes by emphasizing his father’s unique approach to faith and ministry, which focused on mercy, service, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

1978 Priesthood Revelation

Marion Hanks never believed in the priesthood ban. Marion Hanks’ met black members Len and Mary Hope who were told not to attend church due to their race. White members uncomfortable attending church with black members. Marion Hanks and other missionaries would take the sacrament to the Hopes’ home on Sundays.

Challenges Faced by Black Members in the Church

Marion Hanks and Hugh B. Brown advocated for black members to receive the same rights as white members. David O. McKay, the church president at the time, could not get a revelation to end the ban despite his prayers. Marion Hanks believed that God spoke to Spencer W. Kimball, who eventually ended the ban. Marion Hanks felt great joy for black members who were finally treated as equals in the church.

Richard Hanks’ Personal Experiences and Beliefs

Marion Hanks was forced to address the priesthood ban in public forums, despite not believing in it. He separated the gospel from the church and its policies, focusing on the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Marion Hanks did not put church leaders on pedestals and believed in the more excellent way, as described in Ether 12.

Marion Hanks’ Approach to Church Leadership

Marion Hanks was passed over for 40 years to be an apostle but trained many apostles. He had a strong testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and the restored gospel, but did not chest-thump about the church’s truth. Marion emphasized the more excellent way, which is about bringing what one has and adding to it, as taught by President Kimball.

Marion Hanks’ Views on Women and Priesthood

Rick asks about Marion Hanks’ views on women’s ordination and the priesthood. Richard admits he never asked Marion Hanks about women’s ordination or the priesthood for women. Marion put women on all his committees and created awards for young men and young women. He believed in treating women with respect and had a strong relationship with his angel mother, who was smarter than anyone around him.

Marion Hanks’ Innovations and Influence

Marion Hanks fought for civil marriages before temple sealings (without a year waiting period), which was recently implemented by Pres Nelson. Marion Hanks believed that the temple was about Jesus and taught this in his talks and writings. He emphasized the importance of covenants with God and the law of love, which he believed Jesus exemplified. Marion Hanks’ teachings about the temple and the law of love are now more widely accepted in the church. He was ahead of his time in many aspects, including his views on women’s roles and his advocacy for civil marriages prior to temple sealings. Richard concludes by emphasizing Marion Hanks’ strong testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and his contributions to the church.

What are your memories of Marion D Hanks? Have you read Richard’s book yet? Do you like some of these changes advocated by Hanks that Pres Nelson has implemented?