What a remarkable man. Tonight as I was taking in the news of his death, I felt a sadness that my children won't know and love him the way that I have known and loved him as a true and living prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I felt a sadness that they will only hear stories about how wonderful he was. Almost as quickly as that feeling came to me, a feeling of gratefulness and peace came over me. My children will know his teachings, they will know his humor, and most importantly they will know the amazing things he did on this earth. They will know how special he was to me and Corky, just as me and Corky know how special previous presidents were to our parents. Our children will know how much we love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, our Saviour. They will know through our own stories, pictures, journals, blogs, and more importantly,they will hopefully know through our example. President Hinckley is a prime example of love, devotion, faith, compassion, and humor. I will miss him.
Tonight after I put my kids to bed, I rummaged through some old journals and found one entry that I wrote in October 22, 2000. It reads:
Today is such a special day. I went to Stake Conference in the Snow Canyon Stake and President Gordon B. Hinckly made a surprise visit. It was so AWESOME! (yes I really did write that!) I knew that he would be here because of some hints and few other "sources", but most of the congregation didn't know. I loved watching the faces and reactions of the people around. When he walked in at first, the few people that knew he'd be there (myself included) stood immediately. The rest of the people followed with confusion. Then they realized it was him and the whole room was filled with the spirit and lots of emotion. I got emotional and it was difficult to hold it in.
Seeing and listening to the prophet today was such a humbling experience. He's such a great man. This year he turned 90 years old and he is still so full of hope and energy.
Today was such a peaceful relief from this past week. After losing in the soccer playoffs I was really sad because it was my senior year. That means our season as a team is over, along with my high school soccer career. Then Wednesday, October 18th, we took Jared (my older brother) to the MTC. I wish he could have stayed one more week so he could have seen President Hinckly. He would have really enjoyed it. That's okay, obviously he left when he did for a reason.
Listening to President Hinckly speak and the other leaders, it just added to my testimony. What an awesome thing this gospel is. Its the biggest part of my life. If I didn't have the gospel, I wouldn't be where I am and I wouldn't be the person I am. Everything that I have or that I stand for is because of this church.
Today is an unforgettable day. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I've had to listen to these leaders speak. I saw the light of Christ in theirs eyes. I was only about 15 feet away from them, it was hard to miss.
I am so blessed.
I am so happy that I wrote my thoughts down that day. I even taped a program into my journal that I saved. I have scribbled in there that President Hinckley was presiding.
I am grateful for his sense of humor, I am grateful for the legacy that he is leaving behind, and I am grateful that he has made this earth a better place for me and my family.
3 comments:
Well said Morgan, all of it. I had the opportunity to be in a couple sacrament meetings with him & it was the exact same feelings for me as well.
Morgan, you are so right! Your kids will know him through you and Corky. Plus, they are going to have their "own" prophet(s) who are just as special to them.
What a blessing that you wrote in your journal that night! I was driving some YW home from the fireside last night, where we first heard about President Hinckley's passing, and I encouraged them to write their feelings and testimony down when they got home so they would always remember how they felt about him. I know for them, this is the only prophet they have known so far.
What a neat experience. I got to see Pres. Hinckley a year ago when I attended the YW conference. It was the neatest experience to have the whole conference center go silent in reverence, and the Spirit fill the room, when he walked in to sit down. I was glad I had that experience--seeing him and hearing him speak in person.
I was so sad last night over the news. He was just such an amazing man, the world will lack without a man like him in it. Though I do know that he will carry on in Heaven.
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