Hector, Prince of Troy

I still can’t get The Iliad out of my mind. Hector, Prince of Troy, is my new hero. Hector’s creed is “Honor the gods; love my woman; and defend my country.” He’s a strong, solid individual. Hector stands by his brother Paris who kidnaps Helen which starts the Trojan War. Hector as the older brother and heir to the throne embodies unswerving fidelity and brotherly love. Hector isn’t blind to Paris’s stupidity, but Hector accepts responsibility and leads the army in battle—he’s probably in more battles than anyone else in The Iliad. He is a faithful husband to his wife Andromache, a loving father to his infant son Astyanax, a dutiful son to his father King Priam, a devoted servant to the gods, and a great military leader for the Trojans—he gives these inspiring calls to battle. And Hector is the one who battles hand-to-hand with Achilles.

This week I’ve started reading George Q. Cannon’s 600 page Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet. Cannon is incredible—he was a member of the First Presidency under Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Lorenzo Snow—the witnesses he must have had. His history is based on those who knew the Prophet intimately. Cannon was a boy when his family first arrived at Nauvoo and he saw Joseph in a crowd. Without being told, he recognized Joseph. He said he would have known him among ten thousand.

Here’s a great paragraph Cannon writes about Joseph’s leadership: “But whether engaging in manly sport during hours or relaxation, or proclaiming words of wisdom in pulpit or grove, he was ever the leader. His magnetism was masterful, and his heroic qualities won universal admiration. Where he moved, all classes were forced to recognize in him from a distance, knew him the moment their eyes beheld his person. Men have crossed ocean and continent to meet him and have selected him instantly from among a multitude.”

And here is a new favorite scripture: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).