June 23, 1910-January 27, 2008
I don't even have words to adequately express how I am feeling at this moment in time. The moment I heard the news that my beloved prophet President Gordan B. Hinckley had passed away my eyes immediately filled with tears.
When I was little then President Ezra T. Benson was really ill and hadn't spoken in conference for many years. When he passed away and President Howard W. Hunter was sustained as prophet I remember how I felt as I listened to a prophet of the Lord for the first time. When he passed away just a few short months later I remember where I was when I heard that news. I was in my math class in Jr. High.
As Travis and I talked tonight about how President Hinckley has changed our lives many thoughts came to my mind. He has been the prophet of my youth. The prophet during Travis' mission. The prophet for the 7 1/2 years of our marriage. The prophet that our children have learned about and love. They know his name and picture. We have decided that for Family Home Evening tomorrow we will tell the kids about what has happened and talk about all of the wonderful things President Hinckley has done.
I remember watching the funeral broadcast when Pres. Hinckley's wife passed away. He spoke so beautifully and recited a poem that he wrote years earlier. As he spoke I tried to write every word down but couldn't. I ended up trying to look it up. His talk from the May 1988 Ensign entitled The Empty Tomb Bore Testimony contains that poem. (Click HERE to read the entire talk.) His poem spoke to my soul and I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you.
When I was little then President Ezra T. Benson was really ill and hadn't spoken in conference for many years. When he passed away and President Howard W. Hunter was sustained as prophet I remember how I felt as I listened to a prophet of the Lord for the first time. When he passed away just a few short months later I remember where I was when I heard that news. I was in my math class in Jr. High.
As Travis and I talked tonight about how President Hinckley has changed our lives many thoughts came to my mind. He has been the prophet of my youth. The prophet during Travis' mission. The prophet for the 7 1/2 years of our marriage. The prophet that our children have learned about and love. They know his name and picture. We have decided that for Family Home Evening tomorrow we will tell the kids about what has happened and talk about all of the wonderful things President Hinckley has done.
I remember watching the funeral broadcast when Pres. Hinckley's wife passed away. He spoke so beautifully and recited a poem that he wrote years earlier. As he spoke I tried to write every word down but couldn't. I ended up trying to look it up. His talk from the May 1988 Ensign entitled The Empty Tomb Bore Testimony contains that poem. (Click HERE to read the entire talk.) His poem spoke to my soul and I thought it would be appropriate to share it with you.
What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
’Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.
O God, touch Thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
There is no death, but only change
With recompense for victory won;
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.
This quiet passing in the night?
’Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.
O God, touch Thou my aching heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
There is no death, but only change
With recompense for victory won;
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.
What a wonderful man he was and is!! At this time my soul sings out the words: "We thank thee O God for a prophet. To guide us in these latter days..."
4 comments:
Heather,
Thank you so much for this post! My feelings are much the same, but you said it all perfectly!
Isn't it heartbreaking? I'm glad that he will be able to be with his wife again, but we are really going to miss him a lot.
I love the pictures of your kids. Your family is so cute.
beautifully stated!!! thanks- he was the only prophet i have ever known and you honored his name PERFECTLY!
I am so grateful for his influence in my life. That was a beautiful poem. I love that we have his teachings to guide us along.
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