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I just needed to take a few minutes to write down my feelings on the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I remember very well when President Benson passed away. I was 18 years old and just weeks from entering the MTC to serve as a full-time missionary in Brazil. President Hunter became the new prophet just days before I entered the MTC. I had the opportunity to see President Hunter speak while at the MTC. He passed away while I was in the mission field, and President Hinckley was the prophet for the last year and a few months of my mission. He was the prophet when I started college. He was the prophet when I fell in love with my wife and was married. He was the prophet when all four of my beautiful children were born.
President Hinckley’s death was not a real surprise in that he was 97 years old. However, it was a bit of a surprise in that he seemed to be doing well the last time I heard him speak at the October 2007 conference. As a child and teenager, I remember Presidents Kimball and Benson struggle with their health for quite some time before passing away. I remember many conference addresses from President Benson that were read by other people because he did not have the health and strength to stand and speak on his own. President Hunter had also struggled with his health before becoming the prophet. My point is that President Hinckley seemed to be a strapping young 97. His health had not been much of an issue, at least not publicly.
I am amazed at how the Lord preserves and strengthens his servants so that they can do the work as He sees fit. President Hinckley was almost 85 when he became the prophet. Since that time, he traveled all over the world, dedicating temples, visiting other cultures and people, inviting others to come unto Christ. Under his direction, the church grew to over 13 million members.
What I will most remember about President Hinckley is his message. He taught me the importance of temples. He taught that we should be mindful of inclusion. We need to reach out to other people and be their friends. We need to strengthen our families, strengthen our testimonies, and be prepared for the challenges that face us. Most importantly, he taught about the Savior of the world. He testified of the divine mission of Jesus Christ and that it is only through Him that we can be saved.
I love President Hinckley for the exemplary person that he was.
