A TEAR-FILLED FAREWELL





today, the prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley passed away. an influential man in many circles, most especially to this blogger. set apart as the prophet when i was 15, i have literally grown up and loved learning at the feet of this kind, yet powerful man.

i have a very vivid memory of meeting him when i was 8 years old. we were at the same play that he was attending and afterward my dad and i walked forward to shake hands with him. even at such a young age, i understood and marveled at his incredible spirit. i grew up anticipating each talk he gave in general conference, knowing that peppered with his profound admonitions we were bound to hear a great story or hilarious joke. he had a marvelous sense of humor. at the age of 15, when he was a newly called prophet, i remember seeing him slowly pass by in the fancy car provided to take his wife and him down the streets of salt lake during the days of 47 parade. i will never forget that moment when i made eye contact with him. my spirit jumped inside of me and testified with a power difficult to explain, that this man was indeed a servant of God.

i will miss learning from him. i will miss the way his voice cracks when he tears up. yet i am so excited for him. he was so heart-broken when his wife passed, 3 years ago and what joy there must be in heaven tonight.