I'm not one for eloquent phrases, and I'm not especially articulate, but I hope that I can express to some degree the things that I feel in my heart.
Today in church, the theme seemed to be President Hinckley. Fast and testimony meeting was full of people who were grateful for the life he led and the example he was. Relief Society was combined with Priesthood and the Bishop continued that theme. He gave everyone who wanted to, time to stand up and talk about President Hinckley. People shared wonderful stories about when they met him, or stories of how his example inspired them, and so on. I was too choked up to say anything out loud, but my heart was very full.
This past week as I have reflected on this dear man, my chief emotion is one of happiness. I am so glad that he able to be with his wife again. When I think of the greeting he must have had as he arrived on the other side, it puts a smile on my face. All of those people waiting for him to thank him for his service must have been a sight to see.
But I am also sad for what the world has lost with his passing. There are few men, I think, who measure up to him. Who else at 97, or 70, or 60 for that matter, live with that kind of vigor and excitement and attitude for life? As he got older, he never slowed down! He never stopped working!
But mostly I think about what a good man he was. One paramount thought, again, is that he never stopped working. He DID. He ACTED. He PERFORMED. He could speak about going to work because he did. He traveled to visit the Saints all over the world, he was a friend to everyone he met, he was respectful of all beliefs, he was never demeaning, he was valiant in the Gospel, he lived the things he preached.
Though I never met him personally, I have no doubt that he loved me and he prayed for me. I am grateful for the way he shaped my life.
At work this week, I was talking to one of my non-member co-workers. He had heard about the passing of our prophet and had some questions. He said, “I hear your prophet died.” I confirmed this, which prompted him to ask, “So what now? Is your church dead?” Tears came to my eyes as I said, “No.” I explained to him that this wasn't Gordon B. Hinckley's church, this was our Savior, Jesus Christ's church and that it would continue on.
I know, that even though this wonderful man is gone from the earth, already, there is another man who will step forward to lead our church. I know that he is called of God and I have complete confidence in his abilities.
As a new week starts, I feel like now is the time to stop being sad for this loss and get back to work. It is what he would do. But I will always remember him as the prophet of my youth. I will remember how he loved the youth and how he worked to shape us and mold us to become productive citizens of society. If he ever repeats the lines to the song, “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?” I hope he knows that he can answer yes.
