So President Hinckley’s work is finally finished. Man, what an amazing prophet and leader. I feel so cool to have grown up under his guidance and leadership. I have loved him as my prophet. He has influenced my life in a number of personal, life-changing ways.
I remember being a senior at BYU, sitting in the Marriot Center listening to President Hinckley deliver the talk in which he first introduced his B’s. What was even more incredible about that talk was that as part of it, he prayed to Heavenly Father in behalf of all the young people of the church, and it was like he was giving us a blessing. I remember almost being nervous to hear the prophet speaking man-to-man with God. I knew beforehand, and certainly afterward, that this was something President Hinckley did often. It really was amazing.
I remember being a senior at BYU, sitting in the Marriot Center listening to President Hinckley deliver the talk in which he first introduced his B’s. What was even more incredible about that talk was that as part of it, he prayed to Heavenly Father in behalf of all the young people of the church, and it was like he was giving us a blessing. I remember almost being nervous to hear the prophet speaking man-to-man with God. I knew beforehand, and certainly afterward, that this was something President Hinckley did often. It really was amazing.
President Hinckley taught me to be grateful, to work hard and that despite the fact that all of us are pretty good people, we can and should do better. I remember his repeated counsel to “stand a little taller.” He taught me to be bold and confident in sharing the gospel–that our message should be “share with me the truth you have and let me add a little to it.” He reminded me that surely our Heavenly Father does have a sense of humor.
Finally, (but not last nor least) because of President Hinckley, I have become more confident in my ability to recognize when the Spirit is bearing witness of truth. For a number of years now, I have been working on developing a greater testimony of Joseph Smith and his work. Specifically, I have been worried that had I lived in Joseph’s Smith’s time, I may not have believed his claims. After having prayed about this for some time, and after having heard President Hinckley speak on a particular occasion, the impression came to me that just as the Spirit had witnessed to me that Gordon B. Hinckley is in fact a prophet of God, so would it have witnessed to me of Joseph Smith. Yeah….
There’s likely a pretty cool reunion going on up there. I bet sister Hinckley put on her prettiest robe…
We will all miss him.
I could not believe how fast the news spread. I swear the whole world knew of his passing within less than two hours. It just goes to show how much he impacted so many lives. He was incredible and I would have loved to see Pres. Hinckley’s reunion with Sis. Hinckley. That was probably the cutest thing ever. I too will miss him dearly.
I was sad to hear the news… for me… but so happy that he is reunited with his sweetheart. I will miss him so.
I listened to him speak also when I was up at school in Cedar City. I am so greatful for that memory!
What a giant of a man. I want someday in the eternities to have the opportunity to tell him thank you for what he did for me. Thanks for the post. He will be missed dearly, but you gotta smile thinking of the party going on on the other side.
Thanks so much Ann that was really sweet. I am so gealous you got to be sitting in the congregation to have heard the prophet speak. I wish i had have had that opportunity. How amazing that must have been. Thanks for sharing your testimony of your love for him and the gospel. I feel like when we share our testimonies it makes not only ours but others stronger as well.
I love your testimonies Ann. You have such a great way with words. He accomplished so much and his spirit was so great. I never met him or even saw him in person, but there’s no way I could ever deny that he was a true prophet of God.
Ann, you are so wonderful. An inspiration. I love you. Thank you for always testifying of what’s good and true.