Gordon B. Hinckley, our beloved prophet and the president of our church, died last night. Marc's mom called last night to tell us the news, and I was speechless. I went and told my boys, who had already gone to bed, and we were all just so shocked. He is the only prophet my children have ever known. I don't know how you can be shocked when a 97 year old man dies, but there you have it. I guess we were just hoping he would keep going for a few more years!He was such an inspiring leader. I always loved hearing him speak, he was always encouraging. He never made you feel chastised, he just gently urged us to do a little more and be a little better. He made you want to follow his counsel.
When he encouraged all church members to read the Book of Mormon in the last few months of 2005, I accepted his challenge, even though I thought it would be very difficult to do that much scriptural reading at the end of the year. It didn't turn out to be hard at all, and it was a very rewarding experience. It was the first time I read the Book of Mormon in a condensed period of time (I got a late start), and it took on a whole new feel to me -- like a story I couldn't wait to pick up each day and see what would happen next. It was also a marvelous feeling, knowing that so many people around the world were doing the same thing at the same time.He accomplished so very much during his 12 years as the leader of the church. He oversaw the building of so many many new temples around the globe. He started the Perpetual Education Fund. He had the new Conference Center built, with the beautiful pulpit made from his own walnut tree. He was very good with the media, so down to earth and so willing to sit down and talk openly with reporters. He kept up a rigorous travel schedule around the world that made me tired just thinking about it!
His great sense of humor always shone through, characterized by this scene, where he "knighted" his new counselor, President Eyring. I don't think he ever gave a talk without making everyone laugh. He was such a humble man, never taking himself too seriously.I had the good fortune of being able to meet him shortly after he became the prophet. He came to Oregon, and Marc's mom was the stake Relief Society president at the time. The R.S. prepared a meal for Pres. and Sister Hinckley, Pres. and Sister Ballard, and local leaders. Mim recruited me to come and be one of the servers. President Hinckley came in and wanted to meet the people who were working in the kitchen, and he shook all of our hands. I don't think you can be in the presence of a prophet and not recognize the fact that you are seeing a great man wearing the mantle of the priesthood.
Several years ago, President Hinckley came to visit our ward. I will never forget the feelings I had that day as he walked into the chapel and we all stood up in respectful silence. He blessed us all and challenged each member of the congregation to gain his or her own testimony of the gospel and the Savior Jesus Christ. Later he came into the Primary room. I was the chorister at the time, and led the children in singing Follow the Prophet. He spoke to the children and it was a marvelous thing.
Even though I mourn his passing and am saddened by the loss of our great leader, I am happy for him and his delightful wife, whom he loved so much. I am sure they have had a wonderful reunion!One last thing -- I love the procedure that follows after the death of a prophet. I copied this text from the church website:
"The appointment of a new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints happens in an orderly way that — remarkably in today’s world — avoids any trace of internal lobbying for position or rank. Viewed by members as a divinely revealed process, it is devoid of electioneering whether behind the scenes or in public.
Moreover, it is not only the structure of Church organization that governs this process. There is also a deeply ingrained tradition in the Church that personal aspiration for leadership at any level is inappropriate. Instead, the emphasis is on personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve when invited."
