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Way to Be!: 9 Rules For Living the Good Life
From one of the world's foremost spiritual leaders, an inspiring book that provides young adults and their parents with a game plan for leading a better life.This inspiring, upbeat, life-affirming book shows teenagers and their families how to navigate through the moral minefields of contemporary life and how to truly enjoy the opportunities and blessings that the modern world has to offer. Drawing upon his faith as well as his personal experience, Gordon B. Hinckley provides his readers with a game plan for discovering and embracing the things in life that are valuable and worthwhile. He shows how our lives are shaped by the decisions we make every day about personal behavior -- and he shows how to make the right decisions with the help of nine guiding principles. With its vivid anecdotes, invaluable precepts, and timeless wisdom, Way to Be! will be a source of both inspiration and practical advice for young people everywhere who want to lead better, fuller, more satisfying lives.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2002
80 people are currently reading
3771 people want to read
About the author
Gordon B. Hinckley
100 books360 followersPresident Hinckley was known, even at the age of 95, as a tireless leader who always put in a full day at the office and traveled extensively around the world to mix with Church members, now numbering nearly 13 million in 171 nations.
His quick wit and humor, combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit, made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders. A profoundly spiritual man, he had a great fondness for history and often peppered his sermons with stories from the Church’s pioneer past.
He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace and on CNN’s Larry King Live, as well as being quoted and featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years. During the Salt Lake Olympics of 2002, his request that the Church refrain from proselytizing visitors was credited by media with generating much of the goodwill that flowed to the Church from the international event.
In recent years, a number of major developments in the Church reflected President Hinckley’s personal drive and direction. In calling for 100 temples to be in operation before the end of the year 2000, the Church president committed the Church to a massive temple-building program.
In 1999 — 169 years after the Church was organized by its founder, Joseph Smith — the Church had 56 operating temples. Three years later that number had doubled, largely because of a smaller, highly practical temple architectural plan that delivered these sacred buildings to Church members in far-flung parts of the world. Many more Church members can now experience the sacred ceremonies that occur only in temples, including marriages for eternity and the sealing of families in eternal units.
President Hinckley was the most traveled president in the Church’s history. His duties took him around the world many times to meet with Latter-day Saints in more than 60 countries. He was the first Church president to travel to Spain, where in 1996 he broke ground for a temple in Madrid; and to the African nations of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, where he met with thousands of Latter-day Saints in 1998. In 2005, he traveled nearly 25,000 miles on a seven-nation, nine-day tour to Russia, South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Kenya, and Nigeria.
At a general conference of Church members in April 2001, President Hinckley initiated the Perpetual Education Fund — an ambitious program to help young members of the Church (mainly returning missionaries from developing countries) receive higher education and work-related training that they would otherwise likely never receive.
Closer to his Salt Lake City home, President Hinckley announced the construction of a new Conference Center in 1996 and dedicated it four years later. Seating 21,000 people, it is believed to be the largest religious and theater auditorium in the world and has become the hub for the Church’s general conference messages to the world, broadcast in 54 languages.
Even before his term as president, President Hinckley’s extensive Church service included 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, the highest presiding body in the government of the Church, and 20 years before that as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Hinckley was born 23 June 1910 in Salt Lake City, a son of Bryant Stringham and Ada Bitner Hinckley. One of his forebears, Stephen Hopkins, came to America on the Mayflower. Another, Thomas Hinckley, served as governor of the Plymouth Colony from 1680 to 1692.
President Hinckley’s first job was as a newspaper carrier for the Deseret News, a Salt Lake City daily. After attending public schools in Salt Lake City, he earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Utah and then served two years as a full-time missionary for the Church in Great Britain. He served with distinction and ultimately was appointed as an assistant to the Church apostle who presided over all the Europe
His quick wit and humor, combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit, made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders. A profoundly spiritual man, he had a great fondness for history and often peppered his sermons with stories from the Church’s pioneer past.
He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace and on CNN’s Larry King Live, as well as being quoted and featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years. During the Salt Lake Olympics of 2002, his request that the Church refrain from proselytizing visitors was credited by media with generating much of the goodwill that flowed to the Church from the international event.
In recent years, a number of major developments in the Church reflected President Hinckley’s personal drive and direction. In calling for 100 temples to be in operation before the end of the year 2000, the Church president committed the Church to a massive temple-building program.
In 1999 — 169 years after the Church was organized by its founder, Joseph Smith — the Church had 56 operating temples. Three years later that number had doubled, largely because of a smaller, highly practical temple architectural plan that delivered these sacred buildings to Church members in far-flung parts of the world. Many more Church members can now experience the sacred ceremonies that occur only in temples, including marriages for eternity and the sealing of families in eternal units.
President Hinckley was the most traveled president in the Church’s history. His duties took him around the world many times to meet with Latter-day Saints in more than 60 countries. He was the first Church president to travel to Spain, where in 1996 he broke ground for a temple in Madrid; and to the African nations of Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, where he met with thousands of Latter-day Saints in 1998. In 2005, he traveled nearly 25,000 miles on a seven-nation, nine-day tour to Russia, South Korea, China, Taiwan, India, Kenya, and Nigeria.
At a general conference of Church members in April 2001, President Hinckley initiated the Perpetual Education Fund — an ambitious program to help young members of the Church (mainly returning missionaries from developing countries) receive higher education and work-related training that they would otherwise likely never receive.
Closer to his Salt Lake City home, President Hinckley announced the construction of a new Conference Center in 1996 and dedicated it four years later. Seating 21,000 people, it is believed to be the largest religious and theater auditorium in the world and has become the hub for the Church’s general conference messages to the world, broadcast in 54 languages.
Even before his term as president, President Hinckley’s extensive Church service included 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, the highest presiding body in the government of the Church, and 20 years before that as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Hinckley was born 23 June 1910 in Salt Lake City, a son of Bryant Stringham and Ada Bitner Hinckley. One of his forebears, Stephen Hopkins, came to America on the Mayflower. Another, Thomas Hinckley, served as governor of the Plymouth Colony from 1680 to 1692.
President Hinckley’s first job was as a newspaper carrier for the Deseret News, a Salt Lake City daily. After attending public schools in Salt Lake City, he earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Utah and then served two years as a full-time missionary for the Church in Great Britain. He served with distinction and ultimately was appointed as an assistant to the Church apostle who presided over all the Europe
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 393 reviews
May 8, 2008
This book is so good, it is a must read. It is packed full of valuable life lessons and advice. It made me look at my self and I realized I am a good person, and I do like who I am. It gave me idea of how to be happier and become a better me!
June 12, 2021
Our second reading as a family. We learn so much in the simple, sweet, and powerful lessons herein. I love Gordon B. Hinckley and each of his messages. This book is short, but not short on wisdom.
October 28, 2008
AMAZING!!! I LOVED this book!
Every day now I find myself going over the 9 Be's and saying to myself whether or not I'm truly applying them to myself. I have so many friends who have more than one copy and don't even bother to open it!!! It has helped he put my life into such a place of order - it's miraculous!
Many questions I've had recently having to do with being a teenager I guess were answered simply and clearly. President Hinckley is very concise and to the point and I love it. I hate it when people beat around the bush. "Just get to the point!" But in this book you get plenty of straight forward points.
It's a good book to read even if you are LDS, even if you aren't Christian!
It's very easy to read as well. I read it in a day straight just because the book was understandable, clear and the language used wasn't only meant for philosophers - I felt like it was written for me and my growing mind :D
Such a great book I recomend it to EVERYONE!
Every day now I find myself going over the 9 Be's and saying to myself whether or not I'm truly applying them to myself. I have so many friends who have more than one copy and don't even bother to open it!!! It has helped he put my life into such a place of order - it's miraculous!
Many questions I've had recently having to do with being a teenager I guess were answered simply and clearly. President Hinckley is very concise and to the point and I love it. I hate it when people beat around the bush. "Just get to the point!" But in this book you get plenty of straight forward points.
It's a good book to read even if you are LDS, even if you aren't Christian!
It's very easy to read as well. I read it in a day straight just because the book was understandable, clear and the language used wasn't only meant for philosophers - I felt like it was written for me and my growing mind :D
Such a great book I recomend it to EVERYONE!
August 26, 2008
I review these "rules" for living on a regular basis. This has been a great book for my older boys as well. A good teaching tool from a loving source.
March 9, 2017
Very good outline on things we should work on. Even though it was published over 10 years ago, it still has lessons applicable to today.
May 24, 2008
Written by the wisest of men. Don't read it once and put it away. Keep it out, read from it regularly, then perhaps these things will be ingrained in our lives. If only everyone could read it and BE... we'd all live happily ever after.
October 10, 2016
- I loved President Hinckley. He was an amazing man, and I will always remember when he first spoke about the Be Attitudes. I was a teen when he gave this talk, and I love how simple and straight forward his 9 Bs are. I think everyone, not just members of the LDS church, could benefit from living by these Bs.
- I loved reading the personal stories and lessons from President Hinckley's life. He had some amazing parents.
- This book is short and sweet, but there is a lot to absorb.
- I loved reading the personal stories and lessons from President Hinckley's life. He had some amazing parents.
- This book is short and sweet, but there is a lot to absorb.
December 19, 2018
I loved this book. Such great tips for how to be your best self and live a life you can be proud of. I know it was written for teenagers, but I think the tips in here can apply to anyone, of any age, that is trying to better themselves. I got teary in a few spots, and laughed out loud in several times, too! Gordon B. Hinckley's writing is strong, without overbearing, fun without being too light, and powerful in ways that make you want to try harder.
November 26, 2018
This is a great little book by LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley. It is not simply geared towards those of LDS faith, but everyone in general. He gives advice for anyone, particularly youth or young adults on basic, common sense principles to follow in order to maintain a happy, successful, and productive life.
October 30, 2016
kindly advice from a man I've always highly respected. I wish I'd read it sooner.
July 14, 2020
Definitely buying this book for my teenagers to read (but really I am still trying to implement this advice 😅) I have always looked up to President Hinkley’s example of optimism and humility.
May 8, 2011
Gordon B. Hinckley's 9 rules are powerful, simple, and, if lived authentically, will bring great happiness to anyone's life. Even though I'm not religious, the ninth rule, Be prayerful, really helped to remind me the power of future orientation and thinking with the end in mind. (Stephen Covey's 3rd Habit of Highly Effective People) The power of prayer, I believe, is not that your wishes will suddenly be granted, it is that you are clarifying exactly what you want in your life and are able to constantly remind yourself of your burning desire to achieve that end. Praying is an affirmation of the life we desire and that focus on our ideals helps shape our decisions and our destiny. It's not that you pray to lost weight and then God delivers, it's that you are then more conscious of the food you eat and make a more concerted effort to make it to the gym. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." NEVER GIVE UP.
1.Be Grateful
2. Be Smart
3. Be Involved
4. Be Clean
5. Be True
6. Be Positive
7. Be Humble
8. Be Still
9. Be Prayerful
Way to Be!
1.Be Grateful
2. Be Smart
3. Be Involved
4. Be Clean
5. Be True
6. Be Positive
7. Be Humble
8. Be Still
9. Be Prayerful
Way to Be!
March 30, 2014
My first semester as BYU undergrad, I had the privilege of hearing President Gordon B. Hinckley offer the timeless "6 B's" sermon.
(Reprinted here: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/01/a-...)
The 6 B's include:
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
A year later he added 3 additional B's, all now collected in his book, "Way To Be":
Be Positive
Be Involved
Be Still
While I recognized President Hinckley's words to be not your run-of-the-mill sermon at the time they were given live, I have appreciated them even more now that they are in print. Partially due to the fact that I, generally speaking, have more time to ponder ideas when I can read them at my own pace. But, I particularly enjoyed reading President Hinckley's words because of his loving and inviting tone. As I considered his invitations, I believed his promise—that living these principles would bring me happiness. I think I was most persuaded to try them out, not because of the logic of his arguments, but because of the kindness I felt from his written voice.
(Reprinted here: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2001/01/a-...)
The 6 B's include:
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
A year later he added 3 additional B's, all now collected in his book, "Way To Be":
Be Positive
Be Involved
Be Still
While I recognized President Hinckley's words to be not your run-of-the-mill sermon at the time they were given live, I have appreciated them even more now that they are in print. Partially due to the fact that I, generally speaking, have more time to ponder ideas when I can read them at my own pace. But, I particularly enjoyed reading President Hinckley's words because of his loving and inviting tone. As I considered his invitations, I believed his promise—that living these principles would bring me happiness. I think I was most persuaded to try them out, not because of the logic of his arguments, but because of the kindness I felt from his written voice.
August 26, 2019
The former prophet is well-intentioned, yet this book comes across as an older man longing for a bygone culture. I like the chapter on forgetting yourself and getting to work. There is some good wisdom in his idea in that chapter. He follows this type of wisdom with advice for females to only wear one pair of earrings. He thinks it looks more beautiful this way. The problem with this advice is quite obvious, why should an old man define beauty standards for young people. Why not no earrings, why not two pairs? I bring up these examples in that it is all too common for influential people to mix a message of wisdom (principles that guide your thinking about how to act) with a message of rules (actions that are binarily good or bad). And maybe he doesn't see the difference between these things.
July 16, 2017
A great quick read. Inspirational and uplifting. It's targeted to youth/young adults, but the advice in it is certainly applicable for all ages. I can't remember if I'd read this before when I was younger. Some of the stories shared were familiar as I've read some of President Hinckley's other works.
November 24, 2014
I love this book. I especially love President Hinckley. I remember when he gave this talk. I was in college at the time, and his words were very influential to many of the big decisions I made. I was glad to have a chance to reread this and be reminded of those teachings.
February 9, 2012
I look forward to reading this one with my kids. Another great one from Pres. Hinkley. The stories are all repeated from his other book, however, shared in a way for the youth to understand in their own lives.
May 26, 2015
I loved his wisdom and stories gathered over 9 decades of living. Even though it was popular and a must read over a decade ago, this was actually my first time reading it. I'm hoping to get my teens to read it now. PS. Can I just say, I love President Hinckley!!
December 17, 2017
Read in 2015; reread in 2017. Simple but wise advice for how to live your life. I love President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counsel throughout his years of leadership helped guide my life and choices I made. I will be forever grateful to him for that.
October 4, 2016
My husband, our teenage son, and I read this one aloud together a chapter at a time over the past several months. Hinckley's nine "be"s are good reminders for all of us, regardless of our age:
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Be Positive
Be Involved
Be Still
Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful
Be Positive
Be Involved
Be Still
January 28, 2008
President Hinckley is an amazing man with great advice. I hope to better apply his 9 B's to my life.
December 9, 2010
This book is easy to read. I read it when I was like, ten. You can just do any chapter in a few minutes; you don't have to read the whole thing. It's inspiring.
January 14, 2013
An easy enjoyable read!
October 4, 2017
A short little book filled with wise words. Targeted for youth, but applies to all ages. I love Gordon B Hinckley's books and talks, such an upbeat man.
October 24, 2017
Another fantastic work by Gordon B. Hinckley. I love this book so much. It is very alike with Standing for Something, great LDS book!
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March 12, 2023Fantastic read ♡
August 30, 2023
I read this book because I was looking for some insight on how a person develops good character traits. This book discusses nine specific traits for young people to develop that increase the likelihood for a happy and successful future and to make the world a better place. It doesn't really talk about how to develop these nine traits. Rather, it assumes that the reader is able to incorporate these nine traits in his or her self, and it mostly talks about why they're important. However, it does have some really good insights on these traits, quoted below. It also has some great stories from Gordon B. Hinckley's life that support each of the traits.
Gordon B. Hinckley lived from 1910-2008. With over 90 years of life experience, he had a lot of great stories. I really enjoyed where he talked about how different things were when he was young (e.g. coal stove for heating, Ford Model T, etc.) Yet he used the examples to relate a principle that is still true.
Here are some great quotes:
"... you of this chosen generation cannot simply sit idly by and let the world drift along its aimless way. It needs your strength, your courage, your voice in speaking up for those values that can save it and make it better... it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." P. 8 (intro)
"Gratitude creates the most wonderful feeling. It can resolve disputes. It can strengthen friendships..." P. 18 (Be Grateful)
"Most of the good done in this world is accomplished by people who set their minds to something and work until it's done. Such is the process by which dreams become realities. It is the best antidote for worry and the best medicine for despair... And it is the process that helps us feel good about who we are and who we are becoming." P. 40 (Be Involved)
"... I am suggesting that we look for the great good among those with whom we associate and live, that we speak of one another's virtues and positive qualities more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, and that our faith exceed our fears...In my ninety-plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out!" P. 83-84 (Be Positive)
"... Being humble does not mean being weak. It means being teachable. It does not require us to be trampled upon. It means acknowledging where our strengths and abilities come from..." P. 94-95 (Be Humble)
Gordon B. Hinckley lived from 1910-2008. With over 90 years of life experience, he had a lot of great stories. I really enjoyed where he talked about how different things were when he was young (e.g. coal stove for heating, Ford Model T, etc.) Yet he used the examples to relate a principle that is still true.
Here are some great quotes:
"... you of this chosen generation cannot simply sit idly by and let the world drift along its aimless way. It needs your strength, your courage, your voice in speaking up for those values that can save it and make it better... it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." P. 8 (intro)
"Gratitude creates the most wonderful feeling. It can resolve disputes. It can strengthen friendships..." P. 18 (Be Grateful)
"Most of the good done in this world is accomplished by people who set their minds to something and work until it's done. Such is the process by which dreams become realities. It is the best antidote for worry and the best medicine for despair... And it is the process that helps us feel good about who we are and who we are becoming." P. 40 (Be Involved)
"... I am suggesting that we look for the great good among those with whom we associate and live, that we speak of one another's virtues and positive qualities more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism, and that our faith exceed our fears...In my ninety-plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out!" P. 83-84 (Be Positive)
"... Being humble does not mean being weak. It means being teachable. It does not require us to be trampled upon. It means acknowledging where our strengths and abilities come from..." P. 94-95 (Be Humble)
April 15, 2020
Many years ago, a dear friend wrote me a letter and wrote to me about each Be and what it meant to them and about the things they wanted for me pertaining to these characteristics. It was one of the defining moments of my life and one of the greatest gifts I ever received.
Reading this book now, many years later and for the first time, I love seeing the changes in my life that have come about as I have tried to be mindful of these behaviors and character traits and how they have shaped my life.
This is one of the most compelling, relentlessly-positive books I have ever read and the compulsion of beseeching each and everyone of us to try a little harder to be a little better--to add more love to the world and make the world a better place for our having been in it, is one of the greatest arguments for good I have ever heard. I am a better person for having read this and now will strive to more completely emulate what has been laid out.
Reading this book now, many years later and for the first time, I love seeing the changes in my life that have come about as I have tried to be mindful of these behaviors and character traits and how they have shaped my life.
This is one of the most compelling, relentlessly-positive books I have ever read and the compulsion of beseeching each and everyone of us to try a little harder to be a little better--to add more love to the world and make the world a better place for our having been in it, is one of the greatest arguments for good I have ever heard. I am a better person for having read this and now will strive to more completely emulate what has been laid out.
January 22, 2025
A quick and uplifting read from a personal hero. Simple and applicable principles to live a happier and more fulfilling life. Slightly outdated grooming standards.
- Nothing of substance comes without work
- Sloppy dress means sloppy ways
- Avoid evil like the plague
- Nothing of substance comes without work
- Sloppy dress means sloppy ways
- Avoid evil like the plague
September 21, 2020
I loved this and hope I pick it up often and read a chapter or two. It gave me a boost everyday and inspired me to choose to be a little better.
Also... my 100th book on here!
Also... my 100th book on here!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 393 reviews