President Hinckley passes away
Last night text messages and emails flew around to report that President Hinckley died at home. He was 97 years old.
I'll miss him, even though I know we were lucky to have him with us as long as we did. I was 15 when he became the President of the Church, and so many wonderful things have happened under his leadership. We have many more temples around the world now (including the one in Alaska), and programs to encourage education for members in developing countries. He was willing to go out and speak with the media about who we are and what we believe, and to form good relationships with leaders of other faiths and organizations. He traveled the world to meet with members of the Church. President Hinckley seemed so tireless that it was easy to forget how old he was. And it was always wonderful to hear him speak--he was sharp as a tack, optimistic, funny, and loving.
From the beginning he encouraged us to "try a little harder to be a little better" as Christians, family members, and neighbors.
"My beloved associates, far more of us need to awake and arouse our faculties to an awareness of the great everlasting truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. We can be a little more kind. We can be a little more merciful. We can be a little more forgiving. We can put behind us our weaknesses of the past, and go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about us, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “We Have a Work to Do,” Ensign, May 1995, 87)
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
10 comments:
I will miss him. He was a wonderful man
I appreciated reading this. I will miss him very much. He is simply amazing. I am so grateful to be a witness to all that has transpired under his leadership.
Although I am saddened by his passing, I am so happy that he and his wife are reunited.
This is the nicest tribute I've read so far.
It's hard to feel sad for anyone but ourselves. Undoubtedly he's reunited with his wife that he missed so much, his parents and probably millions of others who he has affected in some way. Hopefully they're giving him a much-needed rest before he goes on to the next great thing planned for him. But he'll surely be missed here.
Nicely said. I will miss him too. He was an inspiration and example to all.
what a lovely tribute xxx
Stephanie, I love your quote-am planning to steal it for Sunday's lesson! Hey, my friend Marilyn ( Madd Hatter) wants to "dialoque" with you. When you get time write to her.... Laurel
It was pretty amazing how quickly the news spread. We got 3 phone calls within the first 2 hours, even here in Texas. My daughter called from Idaho in tears. She was only 6 when he became President, so he is "her" prophet. His strength and love for the youth guided her teen years. He will be sorely missed.
While I'm not LDS, in the past few months I have been learning much about your Church, and how important and beloved this man is. I'm sorry that your Church lost such a beloved Icon, but I'm happy that he gets to go Home and claim his eternal rewards.
Jimmy, thank you. And of course you're right--it's hard to be too sad when we know that he has probably been waiting anxiously to go Home. Before his sweet wife died, Pres. Hinckley said that one of them would probably go soon, and that he hoped the other would follow soon after because he didn't want to be separated from her. :-)
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