Christopher Columbus Quotes by LDS Leaders

Orson Hyde “Journal of Discourses, Discovery of America by Columbus”

Orson Hyde said in 4 of July 1854 that Moroni “was with him [Columbus] on the stormy deep, calmed the troubled elements and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven.”

“A Work Among the Laminates” By Spencer W. Kimball

“Our Father began to speak through the mouths of prophets long centuries ago, outlining in prophetic words the history of those many centuries which were to follow. I'm sure that he inspired a little boy, Christopher Columbus, to stand on the quays in Genoa Italy, and yearn for the sea. He was filled with the desire to sail the seas, and he fulfilled a great prophecy 1 Ne. 13:12 made long, long ago, that this land, chosen above all other lands, should be discovered. And so when he was mature, opportunity was granted to him to brave the unknown seas, to find this land which had been cut off from the rest of the world long centuries, and to open the door, as it were, to the teaching of these people and bringing them back to their Heavenly Father.“

(Spencer W. Kimball, October 1950, conference report)

“Building Your Tabernacle” by Gordon B. Hinckley

“That verse from Nephi’s vision states: “And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.” (1 Ne. 13:12.)
We interpret that to refer to Columbus. It is interesting to note that the Spirit of God wrought upon him. After reading that long biography, a Pulitzer winner of forty years ago, titled Admiral of the Ocean Sea—I have no doubt that Christopher Columbus was a man of faith, as well as a man of indomitable determination.
I recognize that in this anniversary year a host of critics have spoken out against him. I do not dispute that there were others who came to this Western Hemisphere before him. But it was he who in faith lighted a lamp to look for a new way to China and who in the process discovered America. His was an awesome undertaking—to sail west across the unknown seas farther than any before him of his generation. He it was who, in spite of the terror of the unknown and the complaints and near mutiny of his crew, sailed on with frequent prayers to the Almighty for guidance. In his reports to the sovereigns of Spain, Columbus repeatedly asserted that his voyage was for the glory of God and the spread of the Christian faith. Properly do we honor him for his unyielding strength in the face of uncertainty and danger.”

(“Building Your Tabernacle” by Gordon B.Hinckley 1992)

“America Testifies of Christ” by Mark E. Petersen 1967

In this day when many question the existence of God, a clear voice comes from the western hemisphere testifying in unmistakable terms that he lives! It is by no means a voice of weakness that may be ignored. It is the collective voice of millions, some speaking from the past, but many speaking now in this atomic age.

All together they exclaim: God lives, and Jesus is his Christ!

Ancient America, and the America of Christopher Columbus, the America of the Revolutionary War, the America of the Civil War, and America of today join in a united testimony of this great and comforting truth: God lives, and Jesus of Nazareth is his Christ.

Columbus testified of Christ

Let us begin with the testimony of Columbus, who discovered this land. He testified not only of the reality of God in his life, but also declared that he was guided by divine power in his voyage of discovery.

Jacob Wasserman, in his book Columbus, the Don Quixote of the Seas, quotes the discoverer as saying: "The Lord was well disposed to my desire and he bestowed upon me courage and understanding; knowledge of seafaring he gave me in abundance . . . and of geometry and astronomy likewise . . . The Lord with provident hand unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me and laughed. But who can doubt that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" (New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1959, pp. 19-20.)

To King Ferdinand Columbus said: "I came to your majesty as the emissary of the Holy Ghost," upon which Wasserman the author commented:

"In the same way before that pious assemblage in San Esteban he insisted that he must be regarded as one inspired." (Page 46.)

On page 62 of this book the author says: "His achievement did not seem to him something unimportant and fortuitous: It was in his eyes so tremendous, so inexpressibly great that it could only have been achieved by the direct assistance of God."

Washington Irving, describing Columbus before Queen Isabella, said that "he unfolded his plans with eloquence and zeal, for he felt himself, as he afterwards declared, kindled as with a fire from on high and considered himself the agent chosen of heaven to accomplish the grand design." (Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, p. 712.)

Columbus' own son Fernando, in a biography of his father, quotes the discoverer as saying: "God gave me the faith and afterwards the courage so that I was quite willing to undertake the journey."

Columbus' last will and testament reads in part: "In the name of the Holy Trinity who inspired me."

The testimony of the discoverer of America is that God lives, for he inspired him. Shall we not accept his word?

(Mark E Peterson Annual Conference, 1967)