Elvis Was a ‘God-Fearing Patriot And a Great Big Brother,’ Stepbrother Says
By Movieguide® Staff
Bill Stanley is remembering his final moments with his step-brother, Elvis Presley, before the rock ‘n’ roll star’s untimely death in his new book, “The Faith of Elvis: A Story Only A Brother Can Tell.”
On August 14, 1977, the brothers were playing with Presley’s new karate knives. While sparring, the singer accidentally hit Stanley.
“He saw that he hit me, so he immediately dropped the knives, grabbed my finger and walked me to the bathroom,” Stanley recalled. “We were standing by the sink, facing this huge mirror. Here was Elvis, making a big deal out of this, like he was going to have to do surgery or something. Meanwhile, I’m just standing there in amazement, smiling at him.”
Presley then asked his step-brother, “Do you believe God forgives us for all our sins?”
Stanley replied, “Well, yeah, I mean, we’ve talked about this for almost 17 years, Elvis.” The singer said, “I just wanted to hear you say that, Billy.”
Stanley shares a lot more of his famous step-brother’s faith in his new book, showing the singer’s fans a side of Elvis they may not have known about.
“A lot of people don’t realize that after every show, he would unwind by singing gospel songs until the sun came up,” he explained. “He was in touch with the Lord. A lot of people said, ‘Well, he did this and that.’ [But] we all fall short. We’re all human. As Christians, most of us live under a magnifying glass. Well, Elvis lived under a microscope because he was a big star. It was tough. But the way I like to put it is… [he] had the devil on one shoulder and God on the other. And there was a constant battle going on in his head.”
He continued, “He would just dive into the Bible and read it. Any experience that we all have is in the Bible… it will comfort you. I think the biggest thing everybody has a problem with is forgiveness. But God forgives. All you have to do is ask for it. But we have a hard time forgiving ourselves. Elvis often spoke about how God forgives us. He took great comfort in that… Once you start believing Jesus came and died for your sins, your actions will change. You will try to stop doing the things that aren’t good for you.”
Stanley also emphasized Presley’s commitment to his country, as well as his devotion to helping others.
“What we saw on his entertainment level was maybe 20-30 percent of what he really was,” said Stanley. “He was far greater than that… he was a God-fearing patriot and a great big brother. The things he taught me about life, I’ve never forgotten.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Stanley’s upcoming book:
Most remember Elvis Presley for his legacy of rock ‘n’ roll music and fun movies. However, his stepbrother is on a mission to bring another part of the King’s life to the public: his strong Christian faith.
Billy Stanley, Presley’s stepbrother and author of the upcoming book “The Faith of Elvis: A Story Only a Brother Can Tell,” shared details about Presley’s dedication to God.
“He was a Christian, and most people don’t know that,” Stanley said. “When I say ‘Christian,’ he was a Bible-carrying Christian…wherever he went, he took the Bible with him. He read the Bible almost every day.”
This reliance on Scripture helped Presley navigate the challenges his fame created in his life.
“Nobody can really imagine the position Elvis was in…here you have a man that really changed culture,” Stanley explained. “I always thought…he had the devil on one side, and he’s got God on the other side, and there was a constant battle going on inside of his head. [Elvis] did his best…whenever he was in trouble, he would always turn to God.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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