According to Norman Hill, mortality is more than just preserving life on earth.
“These days, people are talking not just about living longer, but also about living well. They’re not just talking about life expectancy; they’re even using terms like ‘healthy lifespan’ and ‘happy lifespan.'”
Hill, a BYU associate professor and author of the Deseret News series “Better With Age,” recently joined the Church News Podcast to discuss how aging members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can continue to find purpose in serving in church, community, and family, and why it’s important.
Optimism and service selection
Hill acknowledged that some members face restrictions due to age, and said church members can find ways to serve regardless of their circumstances.
Hill referenced data from the University of Michigan showing that optimism is a skill that can be learned and is correlated with longevity.
“Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, I was born that way.’ No, it’s something that can be learned,” he said. “And as we learn optimism, it improves not only our physical cell biology, but our emotional well-being and mental well-being as well.”
He told me about a friend who lives in an assisted living center.
Hill said the woman is no longer able to travel or do other things like she used to, but she has advocated for the assisted living center as a new mission, texting other residents, sharing her life experiences with them and listening to their stories.
Hill wrote an article published in the April 2025 issue of Liahona outlining more ways to choose optimism and meaningful service, especially after being released from a church calling.
“To serve wholeheartedly, serve, encourage, and uplift others does not require a formal calling from the church,” he said in the article. “We are all called to this kind of Christlike service, no matter our age or circumstances.”
formal and informal education
Promoting faith-enriching values to family members is one way older church members can find purpose, Hill said.
“It’s not just what we say, but who we are that has a huge impact on their lives,” he says.
He explained that these teaching moments can occur in both formal and informal settings.
As for formal educational opportunities, Hill said he and his wife are looking to hold virtual “Come Follow Me” study sessions with their grandchildren. He also noted the growing popularity of “Grandma Camp,” a weekend activity organized by grandparents for their grandchildren.
But the Hills are also looking for small moments of connection with their grandchildren. The Hill family also sends their grandchildren recipes they think they might be interested in, asks them questions about the books they’re reading, and even listens to their favorite music.
“There’s the rapper thing, which isn’t particularly appealing to me, but I appreciate it and try to understand it and ask questions about it,” he said. “It’s not just that I’m outside of their lived experience, but rather that I’m very integrated into that experience.”
Hill said sometimes showing up and listening to people is more impactful than giving life advice. He described meaningful experiences attending people’s sporting events and music recitals and hearing their life stories.
“I love that perspective of young people, where there aren’t enough people just showing up, and sometimes there’s a lot of people telling them what to do.”
maintain an eternal perspective
Understanding one’s place in the plan of salvation can give meaning to everyday experiences, Hill said.
“There is strong evidence that life continues beyond this one. The things we do here matter. They make a difference,” he said, calling this life a springboard for the next one. “It’s important to make the most of what happens here, but it’s only a small part of our whole lives.”
Several times during the podcast, Hill referenced the words of the late President Russell M. Nelson. “Mortal is a master class in learning to choose what matters most forever.”
Hill emphasized that this learning does not end once a child reaches a certain age.
“This master class, these learning experiences, are not only going to help me become a better person, but they’re also going to prepare me for what I believe so strongly is an eternity in the future,” Hill said.
