[3] When the 17-year old Millie Elsner survived an automobile accident that killed all of the other occupants in her car, the teen experienced increased devotion and a resolve to dedicate her life to Christ.

[2] In writing his 1996 book, With God on Our Side,[6] author William C. Martin included in his research the role of Dienert in Billy Graham's crusades.

[9] Dienert rejected the prosperity gospel teaching that blessings and well-being are always God's will for the believer, saying, "I have a problem with people making Christian life look so beautiful and great that you have to be one".

[2] Instead, she spoke of life's trials and sorrows that can beset the Christian, often citing her own disappointments, such as her son Ted's divorce from Billy Graham's daughter and then his death at age 52 on her 80th birthday.

Recalling her sadness when her husband died after 55 years of marriage, she said, "When you walk lonely and broken-hearted, keeping your right perspective on God is a challenge".