President Gordon B. HinckleyJune 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008
When my mom called on Sunday evening to let us know that President Hinckley had passed away, I must admit I was a little surprised. I have been preparing myself for this day for years now and will be the first one to admit that I have thought several General Conference talks over the past few years have been his farewell addresses. However, when I attended General Conference in October, I didn't feel that way. I was so energized by his spirit and humor, invigorated by his inspiration, and moved by the magnitude of his presence as a modern day prophet, that I came away with the feeling that the world was not yet ready for him to move on to the next life.
But, my sight was once again proven limited and he has been called to another calling. I rejoice for his beautiful wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, for whom I am sure this reunion has been joyous. I smile because I am sure President Hinckley has not skipped a beat and that his energy and passion for life have continued with him. While he has left his earthly post as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, his mission continues.
In DC, as we are preparing to have another President, of our country, leave his post, there has been much talk of what this President's legacy will be. The talk has not generally been positive, and, in the end, his legacy, and those that have held the office before him, cannot compare to the legacy that President Hinckley has left behind and will continue to inspire.
I believe that no legacy is more important to President Hinckley than the legacies inspired in individual's lives. For me, President Hinckley will always be the prophet who signed my mission call, the 90-something-year-old prophet with more energy than I could imagine having, and the prophet who encouraged us to: "Stand a little taller. Rise a little higher. Be a little better." He will also be an ambassador for the church to the world. His appearances on talk shows, at the White House, and across the world with various religious and political leaders have helped to shape a very important public view of our church. The temples he was inspired to have built are providing opportunities for millions of people to have the blessings not available elsewhere.
I know that President Hinckley was a prophet of God. I was blessed to be able to attend many sessions of General Conference where I was able to sense the seriousness of his calling, while enjoying his humor and kindness. My parents blessed me with a love for attending General Conference and I spent many nights on the sidewalk to wait in line to be in his presence. I was also blessed to be in Martin's Cove, Wyoming when he dedicated a sacred site where early pioneers in the LDS church suffered, including my great-great-great-great grandmother. I also was blessed to be able to help people in Russia gain a testimony of this man whose presence they could not stand in. Their faithful testimonies strengthened mine and were blessed when he visited Russia, the first President of the church to do so.
I hope that I can continue to live the life that he taught us to live. May we all strive to: "Stand a little taller. Rise a little higher. Be a little better."
But, my sight was once again proven limited and he has been called to another calling. I rejoice for his beautiful wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, for whom I am sure this reunion has been joyous. I smile because I am sure President Hinckley has not skipped a beat and that his energy and passion for life have continued with him. While he has left his earthly post as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, his mission continues.
In DC, as we are preparing to have another President, of our country, leave his post, there has been much talk of what this President's legacy will be. The talk has not generally been positive, and, in the end, his legacy, and those that have held the office before him, cannot compare to the legacy that President Hinckley has left behind and will continue to inspire.
I believe that no legacy is more important to President Hinckley than the legacies inspired in individual's lives. For me, President Hinckley will always be the prophet who signed my mission call, the 90-something-year-old prophet with more energy than I could imagine having, and the prophet who encouraged us to: "Stand a little taller. Rise a little higher. Be a little better." He will also be an ambassador for the church to the world. His appearances on talk shows, at the White House, and across the world with various religious and political leaders have helped to shape a very important public view of our church. The temples he was inspired to have built are providing opportunities for millions of people to have the blessings not available elsewhere.
I know that President Hinckley was a prophet of God. I was blessed to be able to attend many sessions of General Conference where I was able to sense the seriousness of his calling, while enjoying his humor and kindness. My parents blessed me with a love for attending General Conference and I spent many nights on the sidewalk to wait in line to be in his presence. I was also blessed to be in Martin's Cove, Wyoming when he dedicated a sacred site where early pioneers in the LDS church suffered, including my great-great-great-great grandmother. I also was blessed to be able to help people in Russia gain a testimony of this man whose presence they could not stand in. Their faithful testimonies strengthened mine and were blessed when he visited Russia, the first President of the church to do so.
I hope that I can continue to live the life that he taught us to live. May we all strive to: "Stand a little taller. Rise a little higher. Be a little better."
1 comment:
Taylor and I are blog stockers as well, and I have to say yours is one of the very best! I love your comments and feelings about President Hinckley. I can relate to your mission call, "Prophet of my Youth", ect. We are very blessed to have his influence in our lives. I am so glad that you will be blogging!
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