Reaching the age of 101 is an honor I never foresaw. My youth unfolded during the Great Depression as the world recovered from the First World War. Over a century, I have witnessed remarkable advancements in medicine and communication—ranging from telegrams to Instagram—and I have experienced both conflict and peace. The global landscape has undergone immense transformation. Yet, what I have discerned is that some truths remain constant. These enduring principles provide stability amidst tumultuous times.
As a cardiac surgeon for four decades and subsequently an Apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for another four, my life has been dedicated to examining both the physical and spiritual heart. Early in my career, during the foundational period of open-heart surgery, it was widely believed that the heart should never be touched, or it would cease to function. This notion proved incorrect. In the research laboratory, my colleagues and I discovered that, when handled according to natural laws, the heart could be temporarily stopped, repaired, and reactivated. By carefully balancing sodium and potassium in the bloodstream, we could pause the heart long enough for mending—and then observe it resume activity once that equilibrium was restored. I still recall a professor questioning me years later, “But what if it doesn’t work?” My response was straightforward: It always works. This stands as an instance of an undeniable truth, despite long-held assumptions.
Later, in my capacity as a faith leader, I came to comprehend that the human spirit also thrives when nurtured by divine wisdom. On the occasion of my 101st birthday, I wish to impart two such truths—lessons that I believe contribute to lasting happiness and tranquility.
First: Every individual possesses inherent worth and dignity. I believe we are all offspring of a loving Heavenly Father. However, irrespective of your religious or spiritual path, acknowledging the fundamental truth beneath this conviction—that we all deserve dignity—is emancipating; it brings emotional, mental, and spiritual harmony, and the more you embrace it, the more your apprehension and fear about the future will diminish.
Life can be frightening, and I have observed many—particularly young people—struggle with feelings of inadequacy regarding belonging or value. But a heart that recognizes it is loved and remains focused on its purpose beats with unwavering resolve, assurance, and optimism, regardless of life’s events—or lack thereof.
Second: Cherish your neighbor and treat them with empathy and esteem. A century of life experience has taught me this with certainty: resentment never persuades, animosity never heals, and discord never leads to enduring solutions. Much of today’s public discourse, especially online, fosters hostility instead of compassion.
Imagine how different our world could be if more of us were peacemakers—constructing bridges of understanding rather than barriers of prejudice—especially with those whose perspectives may diverge from our own. I have witnessed intense divisions soften when individuals chose to listen to one another respectfully rather than suspiciously. Even minor actions—such as reaching out across boundaries of faith, culture, or politics—can pave the way for reconciliation. There is power in granting others the human dignity that all of God’s children merit.
This endeavor commences at home. In a period when global loneliness and isolation are on the rise, families—though never flawless—remain among life’s most potent sources of stability and meaning. My personal journey has demonstrated that loyalty, forgiveness, and steadfastness within families generate profound, lasting peace. Strong families help us extend kindness outward, thereby strengthening communities and societies.
After more than a century of life and decades dedicated to studying both the human physique and the human spirit, I have ascertained this truth: we achieve our greatest happiness when we recall our divine value and extend that recognition to others—commencing with our own families.
My faith instructs me that over two millennia ago, Jesus Christ proclaimed these very principles of happiness: to love God and to love our fellow human being. After 101 years, I can affirm that these are not abstract theological concepts—they are practical wisdom. They are what have sustained me through periods of loss and triumph, uncertainty, peace, conflict, and healing. If we embrace these eternal truths—honoring our own worth, treating others with dignity, and nurturing our families—our lives, and our world, will become more stable and joyous.
That is my birthday aspiration for us all.
