Miracles Brought to Pass

When President Hinckley stepped to the pulpit on March 31, 2001, and laid out a vision of the Perpetual Education Fund before the priesthood of the Church, it was evident to many that the Lord's prophet had received direction.

The potential for failure might have seemed to loom as the PEF's newly appointed leaders rushed to begin providing loans by autumn of 2001, as President Hinckley had directed. Outside of the prophet's inspired outline there existed no business plan, no detailed proposal. The program was organized using the text of President Hinckley's conference talk as its charter. Hundreds of loan applications were flooding into Church headquarters even as directors were being called and the basic structure of the program was being formed.

But miracles were already taking place. Within the first year, millions of dollars were donated to the program. Several individuals whose backgrounds made them uniquely qualified for the work of the PEF were immediately available to serve as volunteer directors. The infrastructure necessary to support the PEF globally had already been laid in the form of Church Educational System institute programs and Church Employment Resource Centers. Whatever was needed fell into place quickly, providing the program with what President Hinckley reported in April 2002 to be a "solid foundation."1

Moses stretched his staff over the Red Sea and the waters divided. President Hinckley mirrored this same faith when he held his prophetic mantle over the dark sea of poverty and initiated PEF."

"It is a miracle," President Hinckley confirmed repeatedly.

After 10 years, though, the greatest miracles may be just beginning.