Spurious Materials in Circulation

Source: https://si.lds.org/bc/seminary/content/binary-content/binary-content/news-tim-gurr/publication_caution---a_greater_tomorrow_my_journey_beyond_the_veil_04-statements-in-circulation3831.pdf

Rumor: Sister Missionary Quote Attributed to President Gordon B. Hinckley

Additional Information: [March 10, 2014] The following is being circulated in some locations as a statement President Gordon B. Hinckley made in relation to young women serving missions:

“Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren’t married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood Army to the earth. And He wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. And what better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission!”

This statement is without foundation and should not be perpetuated. If you have seen it (or anything similar to it), do not quote or pass it along

Rumor: Missionary Calls to China

Additional Information: [December 10, 2012] Recently several rumors regarding missionary calls to China have been circulating throughout the Church. These rumors are without foundation and should not be perpetuated. If you are made aware of such rumors, please help dispel them. We continue to ask S&I personnel to treat all hearsay as suspect.

Rumor: Statements on Self Reliance and Food Storage

Additional Information: Several statements are being circulated and used regarding self reliance, preparedness, and impending doom. One such statement purports that President Boyd K. Packer told a group of leaders at a stake priesthood leadership meeting in 2006 that President Gordon B. Hinckley instructed the Brethren to no longer discuss preparedness since members had been counseled about it for over a hundred years. Another purported statement attributed to President Packer in 2006 relates to him telling his family that something serious was coming and that they should have their storage and preparedness items ready and be prepared to leave their homes. Please consider these statements spurious and do not use them.

Rumor: No Foundation to China Rumor

Additional Information: A rumor has been circulating that select members are being called on missions to China. The rumor claims that someone in a relative’s ward, or in a friend’s ward, received a letter extending a mission call but the field of service was left blank. According to the rumor, the individual was instructed to call a phone number and then was “patched through to President Gordon B. Hinckley,” who then asked if the prospective missionary would be willing to serve a three-year mission to mainland China, the first year consisting only of humanitarian service. The Church News had been advised that this rumor has no foundation. No such mission calls have been extended (Church News, 23 Dec. 2006, 13).

Church Leader Refutes Quote

President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, has released the following concerning a statement he is said to have made: “We continue to receive reports of the distribution of a quote attributed to me which begins, ‘The youth of the Church today were generals in the war in heaven,’ and ends with the statement that when they return to heaven ‘all in attendance will bow in your presence.’ “I did not make that statement. I do not believe that statement. “The statement, on occasion, has been attributed to others of the First Presidency and the Twelve. None of the Brethren made that statement.” President Packer has sent a letter to mission presidents requesting their help in clarifying this matter among missionaries and members, and has had posted on some Internet sites carrying the statement a notice that he did not make this declaration (Church News, 28 April 2001, 5).