From Hillary Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Nancy Reagan
Billy Graham began giving guidance at the White House when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President. "I don't believe it's my role as an evangelist to get involved in partisan politics or political issues," he told Reader's Digest, "but to try to be a spiritual and moral influence on those in leadership. The best advice I can give to any leader, or anyone, for that matter, is to seek God's wisdom in difficult decisions. People in leadership are often very lonely and under great stress. They need to know that God cares for them."Reader's Digest asked former occupants of the White House for thoughts about the guidance Billy Graham has offered.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Billy has a wonderful sense of humor and a positive outlook on life. He retains what I have seen in a number of very spiritual people whom I've been privileged to meet: an almost childlike enthusiasm for life. He's grateful for the meal he receives; he's awed by the sunset he sees; he's so happy to be alive. There's a core of peacefulness about him that's contagious.
Over the last 20 years, I've had some very challenging moments, and Billy's kindness and loving nature certainly were a great help to me, especially during the difficult years in the White House. He also was personally supportive of the decisions I made to keep my family together, to look for and receive forgiveness, and to forgive myself. I will never forget that.
President George H. W. Bush
Billy Graham came to the White House the very day the Gulf War started. He prayed with Barbara and me, and his faith somehow calmed me down and gave me great strength. The next day, we went to a service at Fort Meade, and his presence seemed to miraculously lift the spirits and hopes of our soldiers who attended.
Barbara and I always loved it when Billy and Ruth visited us in Kennebunkport. He loved the sea and seemed very relaxed there. One night, we gathered a lot of young people in our living room, and they asked Billy free-flowing questions like, "How could a loving God let my roommate's life be taken in a car accident?" Billy calmly told of faith and unconditional belief in God. It helped enormously.
My mother, near the end of her life, had a quiet moment with Billy at her cottage on Walker's Point, where we now live. She later told me that the private time with Billy was perhaps the nicest thing that'd ever happened to her. She knew the Bible well. From Billy, she learned an awful lot more.
First Lady Nancy Reagan
Billy was always a large part of our life, starting in 1953. My mother saw him playing golf and went tearing out to see him and said, "You should meet my son-in-law." I don't think she knew Billy. She just thought that Billy and Ronnie should know each other.
It certainly was made clear to us a few times in the White House how quickly your life can change. When Ronnie was shot, Billy came to the White House right away. He was always there for us during the difficult times, and the not-so-difficult times, offering good, solid advice.
Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford, and Bill Clinton
President Jimmy CarterThe Reverend Billy Graham speaks with authority and compassion to both the powerful and the weak, and he ministers with equal care to all people, regardless of their color or country. I'm pleased to count him among my advisors and friends.
President Gerald R. Ford
Twenty-five years after my inaugural, I went back [home] to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in August 1999 for a commemoration. Honored as I was, I wanted the evening to be about much more than my White House years. I hoped to emphasize qualities of national character -- including our faith in God -- which enabled us to surmount the Watergate crisis.
Billy's presence in Grand Rapids that night transformed a historical anniversary into a joyous spiritual event. For him, the trip represented a very personal sacrifice. Billy's health was not what it had been. I learned later that his beloved Ruth was in the hospital, facing the prospect of surgery. How like Billy, I thought. He's one of the most selfless men I've ever known.
President Bill Clinton
I have vivid memories of attending one of Billy Graham's crusades in Arkansas when I was very young. It was held during the height of racial tensions in Little Rock. My Sunday school teacher took me and a few other kids. I had seen Billy on television and looked up to him, but I was really inspired that he refused to preach to a segregated audience in Little Rock. When Billy issued the invitation, hundreds of blacks and whites came down on the football field to affirm their faith together. It made such an impression on me that I decided to send Billy a little bit of money from my small allowance every week.
Thirty years later, Billy was back in Little Rock for another crusade. My pastor, W. O. Vaught, was dying. Billy knew Dr. Vaught well and wanted to see him. A friend and I took him to Dr. Vaught's home and watched in amazement as two great men of God talked about their lives and their faith in life eternal. Billy was so kind and gentle. His last words to Dr. Vaught were, "It won't be that long for me either. I'll see you again soon, just outside the Eastern Gate."