President Hinckley

I have been putting off this post because I really didn't know what to write. To some degree, I still don't know what to write, but feel it needs to be documented on my blog. President Hinckley passed away Sunday evening, Jan. 27th. A friend called just after everyone had left from celebrating Zack's birthday...the dishes were done & I was just finally sitting down to relax. I can't say that I had any distinguishable feelings, but just thought, "okay...the time came." Simple as that. I'm glad he is reunited with his sweetheart...I think that must have been a glorious reunion, not to mention other reunions.

I did have the opportunity to hear him speak in person...I think it was the October Conference of 2003. I remember being in the enormous Conference Center & wondering how I would ever even see him to know he was there. Oddly enough, I felt him before I saw him. There was an usual & very distinguishable reverence that swept that grand audience when he walked into the center. I'm grateful for his dedicated service. I loved his quick wit & ability to laugh at himself.

I read this quote on my friend, Kara's blog...I loved it & thought I'd copy & share. Wish I could have been to this fireside with her...

"First, I want to tell you that I love you. I love you kids, you wonderful young people of this Church. I love you. I believe you are the best generation this Church has ever had. No generation which has gone before measures up to the stature to which you measure up. You are better educated. I think you have greater faith I think you have shown that faith and are showing that faith than any other previous generation. I am so thankful for you. I thank you for your strength; for your willingness to do the right thing; for your desire to serve the Lord; for your capacity to help build the kingdom; for the fact that you get on your knees and say your prayers, as I know you do; for the fact that you pray to the Lord to help you, to guide you in the things you do, as I know you do...

I wish for you nothing but the best. You are so choice and so wonderful and the future is so great that you can't afford to betray yourselves in anyway or to do anything less than that which each of you is capable of accomplishing. You don't have to be a genius. You don't have to be a straight-A student. You just have to do your very best with all the capability you have. You have to do your very best. And somehow, if you do that, God will open the way before you and the sun will shine, and your lives will be fruitful and you will accomplish great good in the world in which you take a part. I couldn't wish for you anything better as I look into your faces this day.

May heaven smile upon you. May you be blessed. May you be happy. May you have joy in your lives. May your tears be few and your smiles many as you go forward with your lives."
October 22, 2002