Our dear prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, passed away last night at 7pm (MST) in his apartment in Salt Lake City, with family members present. He was 97.
We heard the news at about 7:30pm (our time) from a blog, a phone call from Randy, and a phone call from my mom on the other phone -- all almost simultaneously. It's amazing how news travels so quickly.
After the initial shock & surprise, my thoughts turned to our boys who we had just put in bed. I realized that this man is the only prophet they have ever known. How many times in their toddler hood had we quizzed them with a photo and asked, "who's this?" or "who is our prophet?" and then received the correct answer "President Hinckley" in the cutest little voice. The countless number of times we called them from their bedrooms where they were playing to come and listen to President Hinckley speak to us in General Conference. So we went upstairs to share the news with them and explain that he was now back in heaven with his wife, who he has missed so much. And that soon Heavenly Father will call a new prophet. Conner asked, "Will President Hinckley's son be the next prophet?" That gave us the opportunity to explain things a little further and help him understand how Heavenly Father organizes His church.
This morning I was very eager to see if his passing would be mentioned on the morning news. President Hinckley has done so much in recent years to make the church more visible, so that others know who we are and respect us for the things we believe and the service we give. And sure enough, I saw a little blurb about him on Good Morning America.
As I've read a few articles on President Hinckley's life it's just amazing to think of all the wonderful things this one man has done and the progress the church has made in the nearly 13 years that he has been leading it. Here are just a few of the things I will remember about him and how they left a place in my heart.
Summer 1996 -- I was attending the summer term at BYU, my freshman year. President Hinckley was coming to speak at a fireside or devotional (I can't remember which). But it was in the Marriott Center and I got there early to find my seat, front and center, anxious for the opportunity to see him in person. It was my first opportunity to see a prophet of God in person. I remember as I sat there waiting, a few minutes before the meeting began, a hush suddenly fell over the large crowd and everyone rose to their feet. Emerging from the corridors on the main floor was our prophet, and his wife, Marjorie. It was truly an amazing feeling that filled the vast arena; you could just feel the power of God that emanated from this man; and tears filled my eyes. I will never forget it. I got to see him 2 more times that school year (a tuesday devotional on sept. 17 -- I know because it was my birthday; and a Sunday fireside in February), and the feeling was the same each time.
100 Temples -- President Hinckley issued a goal to have 100 temples by the year 2000 (operating, under construction, or authorized). The idea of smaller temples was presented and he made it happen. I have a ticket stub in my scrapbook from the Mount Timpanogas Temple open house that I attended in Fall 1996. It reads that this was the church's 52nd temple in operation. Whenever I see that stub and think of the 100 temple goal and how far they had to go to make it happen, I realize what a miracle it was. This goal was accomplished on October 1, 2000 with the dedication of the Boston temple.
the world traveler -- One thing that we have all marveled about President Hinckley was the traveling schedule that he kept up; especially at his age. My Grandma Margaret (who was full of President Hinckley stories) would tell us the story of someone who mailed packages containing roller skates to Elder Monson and Elder Faust. There was a note attached that basically explained that the roller skates were intended to help Elder Monson & Faust keep up with Pres. Hinckley.
his lovely wife, Marjorie -- What can I say, we all loved her. They made such a cute couple. And their love for each other really showed through. And I've got another story from my Grandma Margaret. This is one that she told all the time. I remember driving up to her house in Sandy with a friend to drop some boxes off to store in her basement and I guaranteed him of 3 things: she will offer us food, some time in the conversation she will get emotional, and she will tell the Sister Hinckley and Mike Wallace story. By the time we left I was 3 for 3. So here goes:
When Mike Wallace was interviewing President Hinckley for 60 minutes they visited either the MTC or some other congregation with a bunch of missionaries. The Hinckleys and Mr. Wallace were seated on the stand and Sister Hinckley was explaining to him all about the missionary program -- there are 50-60,000 young men & women who leave school/work/lives at the young age of 19, they go all over the world, they don't get to pick where they go, they're gone for 2 years, and all at their own expense. She ended this conversation with, "Now, put that on your piano and play it!" Here's where my grandma would burst into laughter. She thought it was hilarious. And we thought it was hilarious that she told the story over and over and over again like it was the very first time.
conference center -- He announced the construction for the new conference center in 1996 and it was dedicated 4 years later. It is believed to be the largest religious/theater auditorium in the world. I still hope for the chance to be able to attend General Conference in this building one day. But what an amazing building! You walk in, and you are just totally blown away by the size of it. 21,000 seats. Really?!
on tv -- in 1995 President Hinckley was interviewed by Mike Wallace for 60 minutes. I remember this was HUGE. When it aired on tv we made sure we were home hours in advance, tuning the tv to make sure it was in perfect operating order, and a VHS tape was on deck to record it. Like I said it was huge. The church had never had a prophet appear on tv like this before, ever. And Pres. Hinckley was the perfect man to make this leap. He was brave, firm in his testimony, and completely likable, friendly, with plenty of humor. Because that's just how he is. Since then he has appeared on Larry King Live several times, and was just all around a wonderful spokesman for the church. But I guess that probably comes with the calling. :)
a sweet moment, and that sense of humor I talked about -- this is being recorded for the Brown posterity, because most likely you aren't going to find record of it in the Ensign or church website 20 years from now.
After President Hinckley finished with the sustaining of the officers of the church during the Saturday morning session of October 2007 General Conference, Elder Eyring had moved into his new seat on the stand (he was just called to be 2nd counselor in the First Presidency). Unfortunately, they didn't show this on TV (but we could hear the laughter from the congregation) . . . . when President Hinckley turned around, he stood there for a moment looking at Elder Eyring (probably with the little twinkle in his eye), then picked up his cane and "knighted" him on his shoulder and head. Truly one of the funniest things I've ever seen him do.
Don't you just love the look on Elder Eyring's face?
Favorite Hinckley Quotes:
coming soon
I like what someone else wrote on their blog: "it's hard to be sad with a testimony of the gospel." I feel exactly the same way. We will miss him, but the gospel will move forward. We will be lead by another man just as inspired as Pres. Hinckley was. We will treasure Pres. Hinckley's teachings and pass them on to our children and forever remember the way his words have strengthened our testimonies and brought us an endless supply of hope.
This is Conner's, "how much longer?" face
need I say more?
One last pic of the guy I've been bragging about. Doesn't he look so GQ? Sam is and always has been one stylin' guy (well, except for the fanny pack stage). Back in highschool he would frequently wear a shirt & tie to school. I'm sure some of the kids gave him looks -- that form of attire was definitely not the norm in a place where half the student body were FFA members. But he believed in looking his best, doing his own thing, and not worrying too much about what other people thought or said. Way to go, Sam. 
