Beloved Prophet, Friend

I thought it appropriate to write a memoriam for the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led the LDS church for 12 years and who has been a church leader for most of his life, died last evening at 7:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. President Hinckley died at the age of 97. If anyone in our day could say as Paul did, "I have finished the course," or "I have fought the good fight," it was the Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley.

For those not familiar with the LDS Church, the organization is led by prophets, who are believed to be chosen by and inspired by God. Prophets or not, these men dedicate their lives to teaching and humanitarian service. Gordon B. Hinckley was truly a great humanitarian and even in his late 90s he continued to travel the world tirelessly. He brought food and hope, both physically and spiritually, to God's starving children.

President Hinckley had been the Prophet for so long that many of the newer members of the church have not known any other prophet. For the millions who have heard him speak and teach the gospel, I believe he was truly seen as a friend. To quote a hymn,

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord above.

One memory I will hold forever in my heart is the time I shook his hand as a child. I must have been about twelve years old at the time, and I was at a concert at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. President Hinckley decided to attend, and as he walked down the aisle to his seat, he shook people's hands and greeted them warmly. I remember his bluish eyes twinkling as he asked me if I was going to serve a mission, and as I told him I would. Perhaps he knew so many years in advance the difficult circumstances I would encounter before my mission, but my promise to him was a great motivator to go despite the opportunities I gave up. I will never regret that I kept my word and obeyed the prophet of God.

Others surely have more touching encounters with the Prophet than I did, but I feel so blessed to have had that man as an icon of righteousness and perseverance all through my adolescence and early adult years.

The Church will formally announce the successor within the next few weeks. While the new prophed will be just as inspired and inspiring as President Hinckley was, I think that all who knew and loved the Prophet will hold his memory dear for decades to come. I am excited to see the work of God continue to roll forward under new leadership, but I will miss the familiar voice of one I saw as my friend.