Our beloved prophet died this evening with his family near. I'm sure he is thrilled to be reunited with his Marjorie.
We will miss him.
Our beloved prophet died this evening with his family near. I'm sure he is thrilled to be reunited with his Marjorie.
We will miss him.
My children really don ?t know any other Prophet – not even my oldest in college. My daughters cried when I told them the news.
Along with Pres. Kimball, he was the most gentle, humble, kind man of great authority whom I have ever known. I absolutely LOVED the sparkle in his eyes and voice – that subtle and sweet sense of humor.
From Marlin K. Jensen:
His keen intellect and thirst to understand how everything works resulted in a storehouse of knowledge that will be nearly irreplaceable, ? said Elder Marlin Jensen, the church ?s official historian. I believe he was a true prophet but it didn ?t hurt that he was a genius, too. ?
Amen.
I also have been touched by how much he has focused on marriage – begging the brethren of the Church to love and serve and never disappoint their wives – since Marjorie passed away three years ago. His tribute to her in General Conference was one of the sweetest things I have ever heard in my life. I cried listening to him that day, and I cried tonight remembering it. I especially was touched by the following:
“My children and I were at her bedside as she slipped peacefully into eternity. As I held her hand and saw mortal life drain from her fingers, I confess I was overcome. Before I married her, she had been the girl of my dreams, to use the words of a song then popular. She was my dear companion for more than two-thirds of a century, my equal before the Lord, really my superior. And now in my old age, she has again become the girl of my dreams.”
He was such a gentleman – in every sense of the word. Truly, I thank God for this Prophet.
The kids at some of the high schools in Utah are wearing Sunday clothes tomorrow, in honor of President Hinckley. I just thought you’d like to know, in case it isn’t too late to tell your kids.
That’s a wonderful, idea. My kids wear uniforms– I wish they could participate!
And I remember that same talk Ray– when he talked about Marjorie and said she was again the girl of his dreams I just sat there at BAWLED!!!! My heart broke for him.
We were right in the middle of family scripture reading when the phone rang. It was the Bishop so we answered, and that’s how we heard the news… the first time. Our phone rang over and over again.
It’s such an interesting blend of emotions. At first my heart just sank– I love that man.
But then I thought about how happy HE must be to be with Marjorie again. What a glorious reunion they must be having! And I can just hear her with her wit! Can you imagine it?
As he entered the Spirit World, she probaby approached him and said something like
“Well it’s about time!”
I sure will miss him though. He was truly a prophet of God. And I’m so thankful for that testimony. I know it with everything I am.
I told my 6 year old this morning, she cried. It’s very hard to tell her when people die because she doesn’t really understand. I felt like I was telling her her grandfather had died all over again. Pres. Hinckley was a wonderful man and we will miss his guidance.
Does anyone know if there’s a memorial service that’s been announced?
I haven’t seen the funeral services announced yet, other than it said “later this week” on KSL. I’m sure it will be broadcast to church buildings when it does happen.
He will be greatly missed. My daughter wrote in her journal last night about President Hinckley “knighting” the brand new President Eyring when President Eyring took his place in the counselor’s chair. What a joyful, bright and loving personality! But we will continue to be guided through great people. President Monson is a rock. I love them all.
Here is some information on succession in the First Presidency, in case anyone is interested:
27 January 2008 The highest-ranking governing body in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the First Presidency, consisting of the president and his two counselors, or advisers. This three-man body supervises the work of the entire Church in all matters of policy, organization and administration.
The second-highest presiding body in Church government is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They serve under the direction of the First Presidency and have heavy administrative responsibilities to oversee the orderly progress and development of the Church throughout the world. The First Presidency and Twelve Apostles are regarded by Latter-day Saints as prophets who receive divine revelation and inspiration to guide the Church.
The appointment of a new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints happens in an orderly way that remarkably in today ?s world avoids any trace of internal lobbying for position or rank. Viewed by members as a divinely revealed process, it is devoid of electioneering whether behind the scenes or in public.
Moreover, it is not only the structure of Church organization that governs this process. There is also a deeply ingrained tradition in the Church that personal aspiration for leadership at any level is inappropriate. Instead, the emphasis is on personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve when invited.
When the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passes away, the following events take place:
1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
2. The two counselors in the First Presidency revert to their places of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority is determined by the date on which a person was ordained to the Twelve, not by age.
3. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now numbering 14 and headed by the senior apostle, assumes Church leadership.
4. The senior apostle presides at a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve to consider two alternative propositions:
i. Should the First Presidency be reorganized at this time?
ii. Should the Church continue to function with the Quorum of the Twelve presiding?
5. After discussion, a formal motion is made and accepted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
6. If a motion to reorganize the First Presidency is passed, the Quorum of the Twelve unanimously selects the new president of the Church. The new president chooses two counselors from among the Quorum of the Twelve and the three of them become the new First Presidency. Throughout the history of the Church, the longest-serving apostle has always become the president of the Church when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
7. Following the reorganization of the First Presidency, the apostle who has served the second longest is sustained as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve. The only exception is when the second-longest-serving apostle has also been called into the First Presidency as a counselor, in which case the third-longest-serving apostle becomes acting president of the Twelve.
8. The president of the Quorum of the Twelve, along with the rest of the apostles, sets apart the new president of the Church through a formal laying on of hands.
Since the Church was formally organized on 6 April 1830, there have been 15 presidents, including President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Thanks for that, Spande2. I just finished explaining it to my married daughter over the phone a few minutes ago. One of the reasons she loved President Hinckley so much is that he helped her find her harp. She worked hard and saved her money for years, and when it came time to buy a harp, she was discouraged because the nearest one she could find was in California. We had General Conference that weekend, and out of the blue, President Hinckley stood at the pulpit and said Utah was the highest in the United States for buying and selling pianos and harps! Wow. What an unusual answer to her prayers. She got a nice harp in Provo and didn’t have to pay more than the harp was worth to have it delivered; we were able to drive down and pick it up.
I was talking to momof2 on the phone today and we were struck by this part of the announcement. I find it extremely comforting to know that they pray about this every time. They don’t just keep going with the ‘tradition’ without prayerfully asking if it is the way they should be guided. Another testimony to me of the honest, sincere, inspired, divinely called men that lead our church.
I am so sad, and feel like I’ve lost my Grandpa. I never met him in person, but I feel I know him, just the same. I am also so happy for him, and for his dear wife, Marjorie. How I love her too! They have both been incredible examples to me. I know that President Hinckley is a prophet. I know that he was Heavenly Father’s spokesman on this earth, and I know the words he spoke were all true. I smile to think of his welcome into Heaven! What love that all have for him, too! I love him so much, and I know that he loves me too! I am so blessed that I could live in this time, to have the privelege of learning from him. We thank thee, O God, for a Prophet!!
I’m so sad, I just sobbed & sobbed, he was like my grandpa that I didn’t have. But I know he is with his dear wife. I was just selfish, I wanted him to be the Prophet forever. The next Prophet will have big shoes to fill.
I have often wondered over the last years as I have watched conference if the Prophet would be alive to speak at the next one. It was like I marked the passing of time with each conference. I know I will love the new Prophet & he will be called of God. I couldn’t help but think about the Saints who lived under the guidance of Joseph Smith & how they must have felt after he was martyred. They must have wondered if anyone could do the job in the same way. But each one has brought a special mission to the church. So, as I mourn the passing our our Beloved Prophet, but I’m excited to learn of the new Prophet….
Thanks so much, Kristen.
Funeral arrangements have been made.
so are they going to be showing that in the stake centers? I mean, I’d love to attend something but I’m not driving to SLC for it. 😉
I think KSL will be covering the funeral. They said they would be there an hour ahead and run a special on President Hinckely’s life after the funeral.
It will be broadcast to all church buildings where conference is usually broadcast.
gracias
Ah! Silly me. You’re not in Utah, are you charity? I assumed you didn’t want to drive to Salt Lake because of the awful driving conditions here. They don’t show Conference in our stake centers because we can see it on tv.
lol, that’s okay. I’m in Montana and the road conditions aren’t very good up here either, but we don’t have any channels and it doesn’t come in on the radio. So we go online, or to the church.
Wow, I didn’t think we would ever be without him. After Marjorie died I thought he would go soon after but when he didn’t, I didn’t give it another thought. I am sooo very saddened, to the depths of my heart, but at the same moment, glad for them to be together again. I saw Pres. Ezra Taft Benson speak at a youth event in L.A. in my younger days and that was momentous to me and a day I will never forget, but as an adult, Pres. Hinckley is the one who spoke to me about my issues on family, marriage and being the kind of person I would love to be. He has made the biggest impact and will be so sorely missed.
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/200/5127/
Glenn Beck’s tribute to him, it’s very touching.
ok, it hadn’t hit me until watching that. Thank you charity for posting that. It amazes me that everyine has had the same feelings! sadness, but joy that he is with his wife once again. It really shows me how much we really do believe in the plan of salvation, and in eternal families.
My brother sent this to me. I thought you might like to see it.
Prophetic Passing
I imagine he’s running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother
While they keep repeating his name.
I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service
That only such noble men share.
I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, “Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance, I welcome
My noble, most excellent son.”
I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception’s just fine,
But he hopes that he’ll get an assignment or two
Since there’s no need to waste any time.
I can hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward there’s work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way.
Anna M. Molgard
January 27, 2008
We just got an email from our ward clerk saying the funeral would last three hours?? Does that sound right? Any idea why it would be so long? Does something extra/special happen at a funeral for a prophet?
lds.org has stated that the funeral is two hours and then there is a tribute to Pres. Hinckley that lasts an hour, from 11-2 Utah time.
Ah, I just popped in to post the same link. Here it is again:
Glenn’s Tribute to the late LDS President Hinckley