You would think that when a man is 97 years old, and he is someone that you have never even met in person, you could let him go without too much emotion. But such is not the case with me and President Gordon B. Hinckley. One month ago today, I was in an airplane, landing in Salt Lake City, about the same time that President Hinckley was departing Salt Lake City and this life for good. Earlier that day, I had attended my former ward's sacrament meeting and it happened to be ward conference. Since my records have officially been moved, I didn't participate in the sustainings of the stake and ward officers that occur at ward conference. However, I figured it was alright for me to participate in the sustainings of the general church officers, so I did. I feel honored that I was among one of the last groups of people in the church that had the opportunity to sustain Gordon B. Hinckley as a prophet. This past Sunday was stake conference in our new stake. So I had the opportunity to sustain President Thomas S. Monson as the prophet for the first time. I know that he is the man that the Lord has called and prepared to be the prophet on the earth today. I felt that strongly in my heart as I sustained him. However, I was also surprised to feel, once again, an overwhelming sadness over the loss of President Hinckley. I wouldn't wish him back--I know he is reunited with his wife and other family members and that he is happy. (I don't imagine he is resting much--I'm sure he got right to work there.) No one is more deserving of the happiness I am sure he is enjoying.
So why I am having such a hard time with it? Well, partly because he was such an amazing man. He accomplished so many amazing and wonderful things. Of course he had a lot of help from the Lord, and he would be the first to give all the credit to Him. I get tired thinking of all the things he did-- "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," building the Conference Center, rebuilding the Nauvoo Temple, coming up with the idea of smaller temples, building nearly 50 temples and dedicating even more, and starting the perpetual education fund, to name just a few. So that is part of what makes it hard.
The other part has to do with my children. When my oldest daughter was born, President Ezra Taft Benson was the prophet. But within a month, he passed away and President Howard W. Hunter was sustained as prophet. Because he passed away just 9 months later, my daughter was less than a year old when President Hinckley was sustained as the prophet. As our children have grown, and we have watched general conference every six months, we have made special care to turn their wandering attentions to the TV screen for the prophet's talks. We wanted them to know how special and important the prophet is--how blessed we are to have one on earth in our day. So I've realized that the entire time that I have been a mom--trying to teach my children about the blessing of a modern-day prophet--President Gordon B. Hinckley has been that man. My oldest daughter (almost 14 now) was the one that came home from a fireside with the news of his passing. I was surprised but touched that she was crying. I don't think I realized until then how much of an impact for good he had had in her life. I can't help but feel a deep love for anyone who has helped to nurture the testimonies of my children. I'm sure that my children will grow to love and honor President Monson as they have President Hinckley. But especially for the oldest two, President Hinckley will always hold a special place in their hearts-- and in mine.
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