Together Again

I'm glad to know that President Hinckley is with his sweet wife once again:) What a blessing to be surround by family. Today I attended 2 different ward conference as part of my Stake YW calling. At each one I was able to sustain Pres. Hinckley as prophet, seer, and revelator. I was telling Emily that is my favorite part to our stake calling that we get to do that so many times with each ward. Scott and I had fallen asleep and got a text message, we were in shock. We knew he didn't enjoy good health, but did not know of late he was ill. My mom tells me that during my life I would always come and listen to Pres. Hinckley speak, this was long before he was Prophet or I had a testimony of the church. My parents would have conference on and whenever it was Gordon B Hinckley speaking I would walk into the room and sit and watch. My mom says I would say there is something about him I like- he is direct, he is full of love, he was funny, he had hope, he was extraordinary. My parents always felt it was no surprise that he was Prophet when I gained a testimony, when my husband was baptized and later called as Bishop. I don't like change but I do like to think he is with his sweetheart again:)
Here is what the WHite house had to say about his death...
Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our friend, Gordon B. Hinckley. While serving for over seven decades in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon demonstrated the heart of a servant and the wisdom of a leader. He was a tireless worker and a talented communicator who was respected in his community and beloved by his congregation. As President of his church, he traveled to more than 60 countries to spread a message of love and optimism to the millions of people around the world who shared his faith. A Mayflower descendent and the grandson of Mormon pioneers, Gordon was a deeply patriotic man. His leadership and service strengthened the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. In 2004, I was honored to present him with the Medal of Freedom, our Nation's highest civil award, in recognition of his lifelong public service. Laura and I will miss Gordon's friendship and wisdom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his five children and the rest of the Hinckley family.
It has been over a week since I wrote the first part of this post. I wanted to take some time to write down a few thoughts from my heart so I leave a record of the witness I had of President Hinckley being a prophet of God. I will never forget the times I was able to be near him while he was alive. I never was able to speak to him or shake his hand but the times I did see him I will ever treasure. The first time was during one of the Days of 47 Parades, it is a big deal in the state I live. It celebrates our statehood and the day Mormon pioneers entered the Utah valley from their exodus from back east. I had family in that group. We have a big parade which Pres. Hinckley served for years as grand marshal. He was riding in an open car with his sweet wife. He looked right at me and with a big smile waved. I felt so warm and happy with one looks and smile. Scott was able to direct his car in the parade a few years later and got a big hello. The next time was in Southern Utah at a dedication at Dixie College, he was so close and funny and smart, I felt chills to think that he was a special witness of Jesus Christ and Gods voice on the earth. Next it was at BYU at a Women’s Conference. As he entered unannounced a hush fell among us we could not yet see him but we could feel him. We all rose to our feet and impromptu sang We Thank Thee oh God for a Prophet, he made me feel so proud to be a daughter of God, and he helped me realize how special I was in Gods eyes. The last time I saw him in person was at his 95 birthday celebration. Candice got me a ticket and it was a highlight I will never forget. A woman rushed the stage that night and was subdued by security and Pres. Hinckley was not fazed, the spirit was strong with him. He did wonderful things for the children of the whole earth with charity and generosity. He was gracious and powerful. He made no excuses because he knew the truth about the true identity of all of us on earth- his brother’s and sisters. I will miss the sound of his voice but I know he still lives and he is happy and he still is working on bringing souls to Christ. I will also sustain President Monson as my new prophet, because I believe that the Lord provides exactly what we need in each season and they will be different in style but not in purpose or mission- bringing souls to Christ and healing the troubled heart and making families forever. I watched the funeral 3 times in the BYU channel. I am proud to have had the witness of the Holy Ghost that Gordon B Hinckley was a prophet of God.