Thoughts on President Hinckley's passing
Today was Stake Conference. The meeting was presided over by Elder Christofferson of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Elder Christofferson didn't have a prepared talk; he spoke completely by the Spirit. The first few minutes of his address were, therefore, a bit fumbling (thanking people, agreeing with points made by previous speakers) as often is the case when one is searching for inspiration for just the right topic. Finally, it came to him.
He spoke of a meeting* where President Hinckley spoke about Latter-Day Saints as a covenant people. And the covenants they made were these: First, the Covenant of the Lord's Sacrifice, which we call the sacrament. Second, the Covenant of Tithing (which we usually refer to as a commandment rather than a covenant). And finally, the Temple Covenants. Elder Christofferson went into each of these in more detail, which I can't remember. What I do remember was the strong impression that these words came from the prophet of the Lord.
And then, tonight, I found out that President Hinckley had passed away at the age of 97. It wasn't unexpected (he'd seemed frail the last year or two), but it still took me by surprise. I can't remember a time when President Hinckley wasn't part of the leadership of the church.
Strangely, I'm not sad. Touched, perhaps, remembering the energetic (well past the age of 95) little man infused with cheerful optimism. His way of speaking was gentle but direct. He was a great man, and I'll miss having him at the head of the church, but I'm so happy that he's moved on.
I can see him in my mind's eye, bounding up to the gate of heaven: "I'm here! What can I do?" And he's with his beloved Marjorie now. He's finally gone home and I have trouble feeling sad about that.
Time for new leadership. Well, make that "new" with neon quotation marks. Thomas Monson is up to bat next, and I don't remember a time when he wasn't an apostle.
*I got the impression that this was a meeting of General Authorities only; someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Elder Christofferson didn't have a prepared talk; he spoke completely by the Spirit. The first few minutes of his address were, therefore, a bit fumbling (thanking people, agreeing with points made by previous speakers) as often is the case when one is searching for inspiration for just the right topic. Finally, it came to him.
He spoke of a meeting* where President Hinckley spoke about Latter-Day Saints as a covenant people. And the covenants they made were these: First, the Covenant of the Lord's Sacrifice, which we call the sacrament. Second, the Covenant of Tithing (which we usually refer to as a commandment rather than a covenant). And finally, the Temple Covenants. Elder Christofferson went into each of these in more detail, which I can't remember. What I do remember was the strong impression that these words came from the prophet of the Lord.
And then, tonight, I found out that President Hinckley had passed away at the age of 97. It wasn't unexpected (he'd seemed frail the last year or two), but it still took me by surprise. I can't remember a time when President Hinckley wasn't part of the leadership of the church.
Strangely, I'm not sad. Touched, perhaps, remembering the energetic (well past the age of 95) little man infused with cheerful optimism. His way of speaking was gentle but direct. He was a great man, and I'll miss having him at the head of the church, but I'm so happy that he's moved on.
I can see him in my mind's eye, bounding up to the gate of heaven: "I'm here! What can I do?" And he's with his beloved Marjorie now. He's finally gone home and I have trouble feeling sad about that.
Time for new leadership. Well, make that "new" with neon quotation marks. Thomas Monson is up to bat next, and I don't remember a time when he wasn't an apostle.
*I got the impression that this was a meeting of General Authorities only; someone correct me if I'm wrong.