The Passing of President Hinckley

I just wanted to share some of my feelings about President Hinckley who passed away last Sunday at 7 p.m.. My mom called us around 8 p.m. to let us know of his passing. At first we were shocked and saddened, but then I immediately thought about how excited he must be to be reunited with his dear wife, Marjorie, his parents, and other prophets and friends who had gone before him.

This week I've been pondering what we have thanks to President Hinckley. We have 125 temples including the Nauvoo and Rexburg temples which are dear to our hearts. We have the Proclamation to the Family and The Living Christ declaration. We have the conference center which allows more of us the opportunity to participate in General Conference. We have a strengthen resolve to "Stand a Little Taller" and to do our best in living the gospel. The world is such a better place because Gordon B. Hinckley did his best to live and share the gospel each and every day. I pray that someday others will be able to say the same about me and my family that we did our best to live and share the gospel with those we loved in this life.

Last April my 9 year old and I were able to see President Hinckley in person. We stood about 100 yards from him after he had finished rededicating the Tabernacle. The spirit again bore witness to my heart that He was indeed a prophet of God, just as it had done the other times that I had been privileged to be in his presence. I was just grateful that my son was able to experience it with me. I wish my other children could have had that opportunity as well.

How grateful I am for a prophet and to be a member of Jesus' church in these latter days! Yesterday we had the opportunity to watch President Hinckley’s funeral. The spirit was so strong. I was hit with realization of the power of one!

That night we went to the baptism of Cindy Rosemore and her daughter Sara. Brother Rosemore baptized his wife while their son Zeb baptized his sister. Again the spirit was so strong. As I was standing there at the back of the room tending to Emma, the thought came into my mind that this is what it is all about families coming together through the making and keeping of covenants with the purpose and goal of returning to live with our Father in Heaven.