Our Prophet

President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday of complications arising from old age.

97 years old, isn't that AMAZING!

Now, I really have grown up with this prophet and feel a bond with him that I have never felt towards any other, although I know I'm young. I have mixed emotions about the passing of our prophet, but I truly am feeling joy right now for him.

I bet he was so excited to be able to rest after all of his hard work. I bet that he was so excited to see his beloved wife again in heaven.

My favorite memories of Gordon B. Hinckley are of times that I was closer than I have ever been physically to a prophet. At BYU Hawaii I was in women's choir and was able to sing with the choir for a ground breaking ceremony he attended for the construction of the "beautification" project of the road leading to the temple from the highway. I was within 50 feet and felt his presence. Later that evening I was at the Polynesian Cultural Center as he attended the Night Show. I also attended and sang at the graduation ceremony that he spoke at and felt honored to be able to sing for him. I was able to attend a General Conference in Salt Lake City where when he walked in the room, I got the shivers and just a good feeling inside.

I respect this man and all that he did for the world. I loved his talks. I know that he did great work here on earth.

"Hinckley, a grandson of Mormon pioneers, was president for nearly 13 years. He took over as president and prophet on March 12, 1995, and oversaw one of the greatest periods of expansion in church history. The number of temples worldwide more than doubled, from 49 to more than 120 and church membership grew from about 9 million to about 13 million."

"Hinckley became by far his church's most traveled leader in history. And the number of Mormons outside the United States surpassed that of American Mormons for the first time since the church, the most successful faith born in the United States, was founded in 1830." (Forbes.com)