Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away tonight. He was surrounded by his family, he was in his apartment, and he slipped away peacefully. What a lovely way to pass to the other side. I'm sure he was joyously met by his sweetheart.
I loved President Hinckley. His wit, his energy, his devotion to the Church and the love he showed to all the members will be missed. I remember how he moved the Church forward by building temples in so many new areas. He helped change the world's perception of Mormons by publicly sharing our beliefs and that we do believe in Christ. He established the Perpetual Education Fund. He traveled all over the world to meet the Saints wherever they might be.
He always seemed like a grandfather to me. He was never pompous or overbearing. He spoke the truth plainly and without apology, but he was never harsh. I remember the first General Conference after he became the prophet. President Monson commented that he and President Faust had each received a pair of roller skates in the mail with the note, "These are so you can keep up with President Hinckley." How true that was.
I will miss President Hinckley. But I know that the Church is still in good hands. We've seen how the organization of the authority of the Church keeps us from being without a prophet--how blessed we are to know that no matter what happens, there is always a masthead. I will love and support our new prophet as well.
11 comments:
It's sad for us, but I am so glad he is reunited with Marjorie. He missed her terribly.
His temple vision allows us to have a temple only 2 hours away, instead of 6 or 7. I'm grateful for his dedication to building the smaller temples.
He leaves us such a legacy and such a wonderful example of enduring to the end. What a great man he was.
I can only imagine the great reunion he's been having.
Luisa, that was my first thought too....Hooray! He's with his wife again.
But we'll miss him soooo much.
Reading all of these beautiful tributes to him has been so uplifting. He was such a great man. So gentle and sweet. I will miss him.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tristi. I will miss him, but he did leave us quite a legacy.
What a sweet tribute Tristi. I am also glad he is with his beloved again. He hasn't been quite the same since her passing.
Super tribute post! Thanks! I've been reading them all day. Who couldn't love Pres. Hinkley?! What a remarkable man and a true prophet of God. We have been so blessed to have lived in his time!
Beautiful tribute, as you said an amazing man.
A very sweet tribute, Tristi. He was a remarkable person and Prophet and we will miss him dearly. My first thought was also of the joyous reunion of sweethearts. Later I thought about all the others who would be there to welcome Pres. Hinckley to the other side. Can you just imagine?
i don't have much to add to all the wonderful words already said, but i couldn't not add my love to this post as well. Pres. Hinkley has been the prophet since i first turned a teen. He's been through every difficult year of my life with me... counciling me. He's been such a wonderful, uplifting friend, and doesn't even know it. I use to dream of being able to meet him one day (i'm not from utah) and i was sad to realize that it wasn't going to happen in this life time.
i am thankful for his willingness to serve and love like no one i've ever known before. when he spoke, he made me wonder if God's love was like the love i could see in his eyes and it gave me hope. i will miss his gentle presence... tho i too am glad he doesn't have to suffer any longer.
Very nice tribute, Tristi. I'm very surprised that I didn't even cry when I learned of his passing. I loved him so much, but all I can picture is his reunion with Marjorie. He will definitely be missed, but you are right: we are in good hands.
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