President Gordon B. Hinckley
Jan 28th, 2008 by Bethany
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[I wrote this while my blog was down--I'm posting it as of the day I wrote it]
President Gordon B Hinckley, the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away last night. My sister called to tell us the news about an hour after it happened–her mother-in-law called her from Salt Lake City to spread the news.
President Hinckley was the President of the Church for half of my life up to now. I remember him as honest, optimistic, and a determined worker. He wasn’t afraid to tell us to shape up (in no uncertain terms), but he always showed confidence in our ability and desire to do it. He was the great temple builder. I remember that his predecessor, Howard W. Hunter, called for all church members to get temple recommends and carry them whether they lived near enough to a temple to use it or not. Then President Hinckley sent temples to us so we could use our recommends.
President Hinckley understood what was going on in the world. He had a clear understanding of everything from tatoos and piercings to the internet and press conferences. He not only knew how to reach people, let them know he loved them, and encourage them to improve, but he DID IT. He had a great sense of humor that made me feel close to him even though I’d never met him.
He set a great example to follow. He didn’t give up when things got hard, when he got sick and when he got old he did his best. When his wife died he shared some of his grief with us–and we learned about how to deal with personal tragedy and loneliness. We learned from him and his wife how to be happily married and how to maintain a relationship forever.
I will miss President Hinckley, but my second reaction is one of celebration. He endured valiantly to the end and now he gets to have a reunion with his wife, his father, and his mother who died when he was a little boy. I feel grateful to have lived when he did and have benefited personally from his inspired words many times.
We will have a new prophet soon and I will welcome him and sustain him. I am grateful for the peaceful and sacred transition of the office of President of the Church.
