At the age of 97 and a week after me joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Gordon B. Hinckley has joined his wife Marjorie in the life hereafter (see news release). I am sorry to learn of his passing. President Hinckley has had a profound impact on the Church and oversaw a period of rapid worldwide growth. I won't claim to have a strong personal connection to him given my recent membership in the Church, but I will share three ways that he personally touched my life. First, President Hinckley initiated the building of many smaller temples throughout the world (what many consider a key part of his legacy as President). The first of those many smaller temples was the Fresno Temple - where I solidifed my testimony (see prior post). Second, he invited KC to be the President of BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho - where I learned more fully of eternal families (see prior post). And, third, he gave a talk in November called "Slow to Anger" that was discussed today in our weekly church meetings - which I felt was quite timely and something I need to more fully internalize (especially with my children). I'm sure other examples will come to mind or develop over time.
At this time, I feel most compelled to testify that I know Gordon B. Hinckley was a prophet of God. The Lord sustained and supported him in that role and we were blessed to have him in our lives.
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In my opinion "GBH" has done more for the church than Joseph Smith or Brigham Young. It would be an understatement to say that he has had an enormous impact on the Church, and I'm sure many people have had personal contact or experiences with him.
My own interaction with him was short but sweet. I've never lived in Utah (hence my blogger handle:), but I have been there many times to visit my extended family. On one such trip, I was walking around Temple Square with my aunt when she grabbed my 14-year-old arm and dragged me in the direction of the future prophet. "Elder Hinckley!" she harangued him. "Elder HEEENK-LEE! I want you to meet my nephew." Perhaps amused but nonetheless cordial, he grasped my right hand and dispensed with pleasantries as he stared into my pupils. "Are you going on a mission?" he asked, though his tone was more declarative than interrogative. If there had ever been any doubt as to my plans, this thirty-second encounter clarified my intent...
Though he has given hundreds of addresses, for me the highlight was just recently with his General Conference talk titled "Forgiveness."
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