President Hinkley Passed Away Last Night

Just before we went to sleep last night, Todd showed me an article online announcing the death of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinkley, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He passed away last night at 7:00 (MST).


I am experiencing a wide mix of emotions. President Hinkley had been the President of the Church since I was thirteen years old - basically since I've been old enough to remember listening to a prophet speak. He has been dear to my heart. I've written several entries in my journal about how he has impacted my life through his teachings and example.

I was just out of high school when I received a solid witness for myself that Gordon B. Hinkley was God's prophet on the earth today. I attended a meeting for the youth of the Church at the new Conference Center, and President Hinkley gave a talk on the six B's to live by:

Be Grateful
Be Smart
Be Clean
Be True
Be Humble
Be Prayerful


Before the meeting started, I was in my seat. I don't remember what I was doing. There was probably prelude music playing, but I'm not sure. What I do remember is that suddenly it felt different in the room. The air was charged with the Spirit of God - my skin tingled. I looked up toward the stage, and President Hinkley was just walking in then, through a door on the side. There had not been any announcement. No one said anything. It just felt different when he entered, and it was unmistakable.

As people started to notice he had come in, they stood up for him. Soon every one of the thousands of people in the Conference Center were standing to show their love and respect for President Hinkley. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. My chest was burning with the Spirit, testifying to me that President Hinkley was the living prophet. I felt an incredible sense of love and loyalty towards him that just engulfed me. I felt so honored to be in the same room as him.

We sang, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," and every word was true as it came from my voice:

We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet,
To guide us in these latter days;
We thank thee for sending the Gospel
To lighten our minds with its rays;
We thank thee for every blessing
Bestowed by thy bounteous hand;
We feel it a pleasure to serve thee,
And love to obey thy commands.
-William Fowler

I am so grateful for President Hinkley, his example and teachings, his service and love.