Western United States and Alaska

Ferrence, Lillian

Lillian Ferrence describes a moment of spiritual revelation in the sculpture court at the Brooklyn Museum, and her beliefs in God’s tie to beauty, the importance of considering the feelings of others, the use of humor to dispel anxiety, and the brotherhood of humanity.

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Tobin, Emery

Emery Tobin, founder of The Alaskan Sportsman magazine, describes his belief that people have been placed in a beautiful creation in order to work to improve themselves and to serve others.

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Adams, Julie, 1926-

Actor Julie Adams (also called Julia Adams) describes her decision to pursue acting, and describes the small inner voice that guides her through disappointments, criticism, failures, and success.

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Allen, Raymond B. (Raymond Bernard), 1902-1986

Chancellor of UCLA Raymond Allen describes the impact his family had on teaching him responsibility and other beliefs such as the necessity of family and describes the beliefs he holds close, such as the importance of kindness, the perfectibility of man, the need for faith and freedom to worship, and the value of creativity.

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Barrymore, Lionel, 1878-1954

Actor Lionel Barrymore talks about the acting profession and the importance of planning to create a successful career and role and how any success in one’s life is based on the same principle of goal setting and planning.

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Bekins, Milo W.

Businessman Milo Bekins describes his belief that society must invest in education so that the youth of today can bring the progress of tomorrow.

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Belding, Don, 1897-1969

Advertising executive Don Belding talks about the importance of goal setting and planning in life.

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Bennett, Melba Berry

Author and community leader Melba Bennett discusses the difficulty she had in finding her place in life and how she finally found it through service to others and faith.

Bindt, Juliet

Teacher Juliet Bindt describes how she came to accept her extremely poor sight, learned how to live a busy and productive life as a blind individual, and determined to help other blind individuals do the same.

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Bird, Remsen Du Bois, b. 1888

Remsen Bird, President of Occidental College, explains that though there are many problems in the world which challenge his convictions, he nevertheless believes that God brings truth, beauty, and righteousness into the world, acting through those individuals who show love and care for others.

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Call, Asa V.

Insurance executive Asa Call describes his beliefs in moral and spiritual laws that, like the physical laws of nature, must be discovered and adhered to for a successful life.

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Cleland, Robert Glass, 1885-1957

Robert Cleland describes a time in his life in which he was distraught and took a trip along the Colorado river with friends. The beauty he saw during the trip, Robert Cleland says, re-inspired his life and faith.

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Cousins, Norman - “A Game of Cards”

Norman Cousins, editor of the Saturday Review of Literature, elaborates on the play of free will and determinism in the development of people and society and the detrimental affects fear can have on this development.

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Cousins, Norman - “This I Believe”

Norman Cousins, editor of the Saturday Review of Literature, describes his beliefs in both the individuality of the self and the unity of all humanity, as well as in a moral order derived from universal order; therefore, the poverty of others impacts his own condition, and he works to alleviate social problems.

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Day, George Martin

George Day, Professor of Sociology at Occidental College, describes his belief in the equality of all races, in the brotherhood of humanity, in a personal God, and in the potential for Russian and American peoples to live in harmony.

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Deustch, Monroe E., 1879-1955

Educator Monroe Deustch expresses his belief that the sentiment of brotherhood between people could solve many of the world’s problems and also expresses his belief that there is a greater power in the world that has created the Universe and that this power is immortal just as the spirit of people is immortal as well.

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Dietrich, Harry F.

Pediatrician and college professor Harry Dietrich describes how his family background, his teachers, and the tools and techniques invented by doctors of previous generations have all equipped him to achieve healing more effectively than ever before, and states his belief that his responsibility is to help dispel fear in his patients.

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Domich, Dain J.

Dain Domich describes how momentos from his work with the Junior Commerce (a Bible and American flag) remind him of his belief that faith in God is what provides meaning to life and of his belief in American freedom and democracy.

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DuBridge, Lee A. (Lee Alvin), 1901-1994

Lee DuBridge, physicist and President of California Institute of Technology, describes his beliefs in science, both what can be understood now, and what will be explained as civilization progresses toward the future.

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Fagg, Fred D. (Fred Dow), 1896-1981

Fred Fagg, President of the University of Southern California, recalls a moment when his life was saved by a handhold at the edge of a cliff and uses this story to explain the importance of his own “spiritual handholds.”

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Fairbanks, Douglas, 1909-2000

Actor Douglas Fairbanks describes his father’s resistance to his acting career, and the difficulties starting his political career and how he overcame obstacles through his determination.

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Grady, Henry Francis, 1882-1957

Diplomat Henry Grady describes some of his experiences as a diplomat, particularly during race riots in India between Hindus and Muslims, and explains why to live a good life with dignity one must follow the Golden Rule and “Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.”

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Guérard, Albert Léon, 1880-1959

French-born Albert Guérard describes his beliefs as a blend of old and new ideals that espouse liberty, progress, tolerance, and charity.

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Heard, Gerald, 1889-1971

Author Gerald Heard describes his perspectives on moral laws and the freedoms we must obtain to achieve true contentment in our life, free of fears and anxiety.

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Helms, Paul H.

Businessman Paul Helms describes his work with the Ford Foundation, as well as the impact his Christian upbringing has had on his beliefs, including his belief that giving 10% of his income results in tangible blessings.

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Hersholt, Jean, 1886-1956

Danish-born radio actor Jean Hersholt describes his belief that human relationships are “problems of arithmetic”: where there are few people, individuals realize their responsibility to help their neighbors, but in crowded areas, the responsibility is passed along to someone else. He notes that the world would be a better place if people remembered that they were in fact neighbors.

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Hodder, Maximilian

Polish-born filmmaker Maximilian Hodder describes his experiences in prewar Poland, as a prisoner sent to a Siberian concentration camp, and as an immigrant to America, and summarizes his beliefs with the conviction that humanity is more good than evil, that individuals have a right to live the life of their choice, and that he has the responsibility to work to end oppression.

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Hoffman, Elinor Gene

Dramatist Elinor Gene Hoffman describes her belief in what Quakers call the “inner light,” and how that belief led her to give up an unsatisfying career in theater to pursue the “inner light” more fully.

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Holliday, Kate

Author and war correspondent Kate Holliday describes her beliefs in the brotherhood of humanity, in the right to freedom of worship, and in the Golden rule.

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Houghton, Henry S.

Physician and teacher Henry Houghton describes his childhood experiences of visiting his grandparents’ Quaker meetings, and how those experiences led to a belief in an inner voice which provides moral direction.

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Huxley, Aldous, 1894-1963

British-born novelist Aldous Huxley describes his belief that the ideal society towards which he must strive is one that reduces the number of temptations for its citizens.

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Joyce, William H., Jr.

William Joyce describes how the deaths of his brother and son led him to conclude that he could only have faith in God’s purposes rather than demand an explanation of His actions.

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Kemper, Lucrezia

Advertising executive Lucrezia Kemper describes how her family taught her the foundation of her beliefs and success; the value of faith in people, respect for others, kindness and generosity and security.

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Killion, George L.

Businessman George Killion remembers his father and the beliefs his farther imparted to him: compassion, respect for others, and adherence to the Golden Rule.

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Kingman, Ruth W.

Choral conductor and social reformer Ruth Kingman describes the religious beliefs of her ancestors, and describes her own belief in college students, who provide her hope for the future.

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Knudsen, Vern Oliver, 1893-1974

Scientist and UCLA administrator Vern Knudsen explains how he uses his work in acoustics and science as the basis for his belief in the importance of honesty, truth, and integrity to live a good, happy life, and he also provides an example from the field of acoustics to demonstrate his point.

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Krone, Max T. (Max Thomas), 1901-1970

Max Krone, Choral Director and Dean of the University of Southern California’s Institute of the Arts, imagines looking on earth from a great distance and explains how this perspective gives him insight into the fundamental unity of man on earth.

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Laing, Nora

South African-born journalist Nora Laing describes the process of how she came to believe in the immortality of the soul and in a life’s purpose that extended beyond fulfilling physical needs and desires.

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Latvala, Waino K.

Waino K. Latvala, a Finnish-American, describes his experiences as an information officer fighting for Finland during the Finnish War, and how he believes that fear is a catalyst to action.

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Levy, David J.

David Levy, Deputy District Attorney of Contra Costa County, describes how he learned level-headed contentment in order to survive as a POW on the Death March of Bataan during WWII.

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Linkletter, Art, 1912-2010

Canadian-born entertainer Art Linkletter talks about his experiences in the entertainment industry as a host and announcer and how his focus on his own abilities, limits and performance, as well as his appreciation of people, have contributed to his success.

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Lloyd, Frank, 1887-1960

Film producer Frank Lloyd recounts how he met his wife through a series of events, and describes his beliefs that trying to flout God’s rule leads to disappointment and regret and that human beings are created in God’s image with an innate sense of religion and understanding of right and wrong.

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Mann, Thomas, 1875-1955

Author Thomas Mann discusses the impermanence and transitory nature of life and explains why this makes life special and valuable, and why man’s awareness of impermanence elevates his spirit.

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Mardikian, George M., 1903-

Armenian-born restaurateur George Mardikian describes his Armenian custom of serving the staff of his restaurant on Christmas Day, his imprisonment and escape from Armenia, and the welcome and success he found in America.

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Massey, Curt

Musician and broadcaster Curt Massey talks about the importance of attending church in his life and the life of his family and how prayer and meditation allow him to better cope with stress in his life.

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Mullendore, W. C.

Businessman W.C. Mullendore describes his belief that “we are here to develop the best that is within us,” and how hatred impedes that goal.

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Parker, Phyllis

Script writer Phyllis Parker is reminded of a saying that she was fond of as a child, “love conquers all,” and describes the good and sometimes bad results that have come of love. She also compares love to electricity, a flow of energy, and says that if we could all harness love and direct it wisely, the world could be a much better place without prejudice.

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Peters, Rollo

French-born theatrical director Rollo Peters explains his faith and wonder in people as individuals and the influence of friends on people’s lives, recalling his friendship with Edward Gordon Craig.

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Pinelli, Ralph “Babe”

Baseball umpire Ralph “Babe” Pinelli describes his beliefs in the importance of God, a strong marriage and family, religious training that starts in the home, a country that supports freedom of conscience, and baseball.

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Powers, Robert B.

Police officer and author Robert Powers explains the value he has found in many different religions and that love, between man and God, can protect people from the uncertainty and fear they experience in life.

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Rieder, Edmond

French-born hotelier Edmond Rieder describes how his experiences with hotel guests have established his belief in the basic goodness of people, and he believes that practicing the Golden Rule and trying his best at his endeavors has led to personal satisfaction.

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Rogers, Clyde

Entertainer and singer Clyde Rogers describes his belief that everyone is interrelated and how he came to believe this after struggling with depression, from which he found relief in prayer, God, and a new focus on helping others.

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Rombeau, Anne

Pilot Anne Rombeau describes her belief in the unity of nature and humanity, with each piece contributing as it freely chooses, and recounts an experience in which she overcame a physical ailment to continue her life of travel and flying.

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Scratch, Walter Leonard, 1902-

Journalist and author Walter Scratch describes his belief that spiritually-minded people will create a good society, that societal change must start with personal responsibility, that individual religious experience is important, and that religion ought to be growing and open to change.

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Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968

Author Upton Sinclair describes the military (Navy) and religious (Episcopalian) background of his family, and his own choice to defend his country and bring change through his writing.

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Stacy-Judd, Robert

British-born architect Robert Stacy-Judd relates an experience from early in his career when unemployment left him homeless and in despair; however, rather than taking his own life, he had the opportunity to prevent another from committing suicide, establishing his faith in divine help, prayer, and a sense of humor.

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Stegner, Wallace, 1909-1993

Novelist Wallace Stegner describes his suspicions of “passionate faith” because of the religious intolerance it creates, and recounts his beliefs in virtues such as kindness and courage, and his belief that although consciences are developed differently, based on one’s birthplace, nevertheless, people across the world share many values.

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Taylor, Dwight

Screenwriter Dwight Taylor describes his belief that science cannot answer the question of “Why?” and that, until individuals learn to live in gratitude and wonder at the miracle of life, humans will not learn to live peacefully with one another.

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Wachner, Barbara

Actor and author Babara Wachner describes her belief that she can “pay in advance” for life’s rewards, that hardships ultimately lead to happiness, and that blessings can be met without fear of loss, because they have already been earned.

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West, Guy A. (Guy Ashley), 1898-

Guy West, President of Sacramento State University, recounts how he first became aware of the immense size of the universe, and describes his beliefs in a God who designed and provides purpose for that universe.

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Winston, Helen, 1925-1972

Actor Helen Winston describes her experiences of trying to become an actress (i.e., working as a waitress in order to study people), and states her beliefs that there is a little bit of godliness in every person, that individuals have a basic impulse towards virtue, and that it is important to value the beauty and love available in the present moment.

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Zanuck, Darryl Francis, 1902-1979

Film producer Daryl Zanuck explains that the virtues he learned in his boyhood in Nebraska, charity and loyalty, are still the fundamental virtues that are most important in his life.

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De La Torre, Lillian, 1902-1993

Author, dramatist, and actor Lillian McCue (pseudonym Lillian De La Torre) describes how growing up in a family of seven children shaped her beliefs that she must carry her own weight in the world, that being angry only hurt herself, that it is important to be needed, and that happiness is a habit.

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Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson), 1907-1988

Author Robert Heinlein talks about his beliefs in his neighbors: in their kindness and willingness to look out for each other, despite differences in opinions or creeds.

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Wieman, Elton Ewart “Tad”, 1896-1971

E. E. Wieman, Director of Athletics at the University of Denver, explains the importance of sharing in life and how sharing is exemplified in sports; however, Wieman also describes how he learned to share from his mother, which is the basis of his optimism.

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Hayes, Anna Hansen, 1886-1987

Community leader and author Anna Hayes describes her fear of lightening as a child and the realization that fear is incompatible with faith in God. Anna also explains that faith in people and selflessness can bring the “kingdom of God on earth.”

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Doerr, Bobby, 1918-

Former Boston Red Sox player Bobby Doerr describes his belief that it is better to help his teammates through simple actions than to make a flashy play that only causes problems for the team.

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Maxey, Chester C. (Chester Collins), 1890-1984

Chester Maxey, President of Whitman College, describes the “creative force” that is vital to a meaningful society and how the United States’ success is a result of its nourishing this creative spirit.

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Littleton, Martin W. (Martin Wilson), 1897-

Lawyer, rancher, and public prosecutor Martin Littleton describes an experience in which he flunked a college exam rather than give in to the temptation to cheat, and how that lesson in integrity provided the framework for living a life of personal, inner satisfaction.

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