Our Dear Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley 3.12.1995 - 1.27.08

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

talks with CNN talk-show host Larry King during a break in the broadcast in September 1998.

President Gordon B. Hinckley leans over to give his wife, Marjorie,

a congratulatory kiss after she was presented with an honorary doctoral degree from

Brigham Young University in Provo in April 2000.

LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley waves to the crowds with his cane as he leaves
the conference center after the morning session.
LDS faithful from all over the world attended the 175th Semiannual General Conference
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The American Flag waves at half-mast at Temple Square on Sunday, January 27, 2008.

Aloha~

I am filled with emotion and gratitude for the opportunity to have been lead by such a man as President Gordon B. Hinckley. His passing at age 97 should not have shocked me so, but because he has been so fervent and strong, I was stunned and saddened. Watching BYU TV this morning, I was reminded of his sweet talk to us about the B's: Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean, Be True, Be Humble, and Be Prayerful. It was nice to listen to just a sample of the majestic words of wisdom he has always provided us over the years.

I remember when he was called as our Prophet... it was my 10th birthday! It gives me chills to think that he has been there to lead and guide me for 55% of my lifetime! I have so many fond memories! I remember being arms reach from him at the Fresno Temple Groundbreaking and in the Celestial Room when the Fresno Temple was Dedicated. I heard his voice with my own ears! I also remember when my family went to the Kona, Hawaii Temple dedication, he has a special stash of OREO Cookies. The wanted to make sure that he was given his favorite treat: we had that in common!

In one of his talks, he shared a quote his father wrote to him while he was serving his mission and struggling a little bit, "Forget yourself and go to work!" I have that on our door to remind me. There is a part of me that is happy he has passed, only so that he can be with his "dream girl" again! Marjorie is a woman that I admire. She said, "Pray as though everything depends on prayer, and work as though everything depends on you." What a happy reunion for them! This is bittersweet, to see him go, but we can look forward to the next prophet and always study the counsel he has left behind!

Please click on this link. It is a tribute from the BYU-Hawaii Newsroom: Stace Hall. Turn up your volume first and grab a tissue. It is no more than a couple minutes. The voices are the students of our campus! Please enjoy!

http://newsroom.byuh.edu/node/1544/play

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

Hymns no. 19

1. 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 command.

2. When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us

And threaten our peace to destroy,

There is hope smiling brightly before us,

And we know that deliv’rance is nigh.

We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.

We’ve proved him in days that are past.

The wicked who fight against Zion

Will surely be smitten at last.

3. We’ll sing of his goodness and mercy.

We’ll praise him by day and by night,

Rejoice in his glorious gospel,

And bask in its life-giving light.

Thus on to eternal perfection

The honest and faithful will go,

While they who reject this glad message

Shall never such happiness know.

Text: William Fowler, 1830–1865
Music: Caroline Sheridan Norton, 1808–ca. 1877
D&C 21:1–5
Mosiah 2:41