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Meridian Readers
Respond to President Hinckley’s Death
Meridian readers have been flooding
our inbox with their loving and tender responses to the passing
of President Hinckley. Expressions of sympathy can be emailed to condolences@ldschurch.org
or mailed to Church headquarters at 47
East South Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT
84150.
Here is a small sample of the emails
sent by Meridian readers:
President Hinckley was great!,
our way to honor him is following his advisers, I'd have been
in the church since President McKay, and feel sad and happy when
these great prophets pass away. With love from
Argentina.
Susana Trunso
*
How can one explain the feeling in one’s heart, of the love
that flows and flows, of the desire to be just like? President
Hinckley was that example of how we should be; how to love, how
to serve, how to always find a smile, how to live. His tender spirit
was and still is filled with a strength of God that moved many people to find what God is
all about, even those of us who have been members for a long time.
I met President Hinckley and Sister Hinckley at a regional
conference for the Pittsburgh Mission a number of years ago, before
he was president of the Church. At that time we were allowed to
greet those that came to speak, and I had the opportunity to not
only greet, but received hugs and well wishes from both. Immediately
I felt their power! I wanted to be just like them!
I am still trying, and though I know I have not even come close
to President Hinckley’s status, his example, his love, his
caring nature has always encouraged me forward. I taught home-study
seminary for ten years, and hope my students felt his love like
I have. I hope as I have served and continue to serve in the gospel,
I can bring some of President Hinckley’s spirit into wherever I
serve, how ever I serve, and when ever I serve. Praise to the Man
who communed with Jehovah. God bless him always.
Susan L. Ogden
Hanoverton, Ohio
*
The Lord has called His servant home.
We shall miss him. He was so beloved by Saints around the
world, that we should call ourselves blessed for having him
as long as we did. He is now with his beloved Marjorie
and we can only imagine the joy of their reunion.
Shakespeare wrote: "His life was gentle, and the elements
so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the
world, ‘This was a man!’ And so we say with sweet sadness:
"Good night sweet prince, and
flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"
Joan M Caldwell
Wilsonville, Oregon
*
I was deeply saddened upon learning
of President Hinckley’s passing. My first thought was that now he
is reunited with his beloved wife. How happy he must be!
He has finished the course, and he has fought a good fight.
I have several outstanding memories
of President Hinckley. First, is how he brought the temples
to the people. It is nothing short
of a miracle how many temples he facilitated in building for the
people of the Lord. Then there’s the talk to the women of
the Church in October’s 2003 General Conference. More than
any other earthly person, he helped me feel like he knew what I
was going through as a wife and mother. And last but not least,
was his entreat to stand a little taller, be a little kinder, forgive a little more, love a little more. These things
have been like a hallmark in my life — a guiding star for my path
as I try to serve the Lord in all I do.
I will greatly miss President Hinckley, and I honestly pray for his family’s
comfort and peace during this time of sorrow. May they be
strengthened and uplifted and feel their parent’s love surround
them and never leave them.
I love President Hinckley and look
forward to the time I can meet him on the other side. I never had
the honor during this life time.
Teri Nine
*
One of the things that stick in
my mind about President Hinckley was something that took place during
the dedication of the Melbourne Australia Temple. His humbleness and
his wonderful sense of humour shone through
when he laid the foundation stone and cracked a joke about his ability
or lack of it in laying mortar. Even at such a sacred moment
he had the ability to make one chuckle with enjoyment with him.
Barbara F Jones
Mildura Branch
Adelaide, Australia
*
Hi my name is Ferne Goodchild, I suffer from SMA and I live in South Africa.
In 1997 when He came to South Africa I as able to see him and
shake is hand and I could really feel his wonderful and special
spirit, and just the few words he said to me were you are a special
daughter of Heavenly Father has always stuck with me and I will
miss his smiling face and his wonderful insights to life.
All my love and condolence to the Hinckley family.
*
President Hinckley
has had a profound effect on the world.
He was such a wonderful,
spiritual and humble man. All who met him were touched by
his humanity.
We had the privilege
to meet him whilst living in Utah
in the 90’s and we cherish the incredible blessing of being in the
presence of a Prophet of God.
He will be remembered
for his temple building, his vitality, his sense of humour, his
simple faith and many other things, but our family will always remember
him for his ability to state the Gospel simply and succinctly —
in a way that everyone can understand.
We will miss you,
our beloved Prophet.
The McDonald Family
Brisbane,
Australia
*
President Hinckely
has been my mentor. His sense of humour
and courage are second to none. My family and I will greatly
miss him. My 1st daughter was born (23rd June 2000) when President
Hinckley was 90yrs old.
Eleazar
Uzoamaka Ikpegbu
Stake President, Owerri Nigeria
Stake
Owerri,
Imo, Nigeria
*
An uncommon man for common people,
I felt inspired by his energy, faith and wit. After listening
to him speak, I always wanted to do something
big — build a house, plant an orchard of tall trees, or travel around
the world doing good. I haven't done these things. But I am painting
baseboards in my old house, planting tomatoes, and helping to defeat
a bad bill by gathering signatures in my neighborhood.
When I get tired of fighting my personal
"uphill battles," I think of what his father said to him
when he was a discouraged missionary, "forget yourself and
get to work" and how he DID just that — for 64 more years.
Hoorah for Gordon B. Hinckley!
(I'm waiving my white hankie)
Cynthia Decker
Modesto, California
*
How grateful we are for his long life
and his amazing service. How grateful we are this day that
he is with his beloved Marjorie.
The first time we remember seeing President
Hinckley was in the early 1960s when he came to San Jose Stake for
stake conference. We were members of the Santa Clara Ward.
We had a new bishop who was in the armed services. Shortly
after his call, he received orders sending him to Korea.
He organized the ward, was released, and went off to Korea. His wife remained in our ward with
her children.
At the Stake Conference, President
Hinckley called her by name, and publicly reported to her on the
fine service her husband was giving in Korea.
I have always remembered the love and kindness I felt at that sweet
act of his.
In 1999-2000, we served in Thessaloniki, Greece,
and I often heard the young missionaries talking of him of how much
they loved him. His humor was so delightful to them.
We extend our condolences and our love
to his children, and we pray for President Monson.
Thank you for this opportunity to express
love and appreciation for President Hinckley and his amazing love
and service.
Bill and Vivian Rogers
*
President Hinckley will surely be missed.
It make me stop and think what a wonderful reunion back home
where we all are trying to make it to. What a wonderful man. My
prayers are with everyone at this sad time.
Genesee Bonde
*
I'm a member from Cebu, the Philippines. Before my family moved to Cebu, we
used to live in Manila
because my wife and me worked in the Church office there.
I was editor of the monthly international magazine then titled Tambuli. Part of my job was to cover
general authorities of the Church when they visit various places
in the Philippines.
As such, I covered President Hinckley in many of his visits to the
Philippines, including the dedication of the Manila Philippines
Temple in 1984. I also had the enviable
assignment to cover him and Sister Hinckley when they visited various
stakes and districts in the country.
What I can't forget about President Hinckley is his genuine love
for members of the Church. With President Hinckley, a person will
always feel he is important despite his lowly station in life.
I have personally felt of his genuine interest in me and the work
I'm performing for the Church. I saw him shake hands, hug and pat
members on their backs in a reassuring manner that made them feel
he cared for them as their leader.
I delighted in reading his books, and I whooped it up when he nonchalantly
answered every question Larry King threw at him in that famous 60-minute
TV episode!
I intently listened to him as he delivered the closing remarks during
the October 2007 semiannual conference and chuckled in my seat when
he said he plans to preside over the next conference in April 2008.
I love President Hinckley and will miss him very much.
Thanks and best regards,
Bishop Rafael Osumo
Sikatuna Ward
Cebu Central Philippines Stake
*
My husband and I were converted to
the church in 1976. We live in a small New
Jersey town across the river from Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, while our two sons live
in the Salt Lake
Valley. This evening, our youngest son
called us at approximately 10:00 pm eastern time to tell us our
beloved Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley had died. My first thought
was, "He has served well and faithfully, and now he can be
with his wife again."
While searching on-line news outlets
for information, I found your Meridian Photographic Essay "Remembering
Marjorie Hinckley." As I try to come to terms with
President Hinckley's death, your work has brought me comfort. "Remembering
Marjorie Hinckley" is a tribute to two wonderful, loving,
and dedicated people, who I believe are now enjoying a
well deserved reunion in the spirit world.
Thank you both for your essay.
Martha Delosso
*
President Hinckley's infectious optimism
has always impressed me. When I'm down, or worried about the
condition of the world, I think, "If President Hinckley, who
knows more than any mortal about the condition of the world, can
be positive and optimistic, then I can and should be too!"
He often reminded me of what I think
Joseph Smith was like — cheery and amiable, laughing often, but
with deep and profound spiritual roots and inspiration. Each
time I would hear him speak, the spirit bore witness to me
that he was truly a prophet and was called to be the Lord's
mouthpiece in these last days. His long life of willing
service to the church is a wonderful example of truly living the
law of consecration of time, talents and energy.
Kathaleen
May
Haltom City, Texas
*
Several ward members have mentioned
how close they felt to President Kimball, or President Benson
or President Hunter. But for me, it's President Hinckley.
My heart ached for him, when his dear Marjorie past away.
I really think that he died from a broken heart, by not having her
physically near him.
It is so difficult to express feelings
about a Prophet that has seemed to be so much a part of my family.
Though I have never met him or even been in his presence, he gave
me the feeling like he could have been my father or grandfather.
He touched many generations of members and nonmembers with his counsel,
humor and next door neighbor attitude. He didn't only have
his family; we (church members of all walks of life) were
also his family. It saddens me to think that we will no longer
enjoy his sense of humor, his one on one talks with us via General Conference, Ensign, or other places.
Netta
Jarrett
*
What a wonderful Servant of the Lord. What an honour to have known of him and his works. I am sure
there was much rejoicing in the Heavenly ranks at his passing through
the veil. I can only imagine the joyous greeting between husband
and wife.
I feel as though I have "lost" my best friend.
He has been such an incredibly consistent resource by which to steer
my life. I know that the process is perfect and that the next
President will be the Lord's man in all ways, but one can't help
loving this sweet, humble, gentle man who now has passed from this
earthly life, revering his utter selfless service in our behalf.
Twice in his time, I was privileged to be near him; at the dedication
of the Johannesburg Temple,
and again when he addressed the Saints in Richmond,
Virginia. Both times one was so fully aware of the spiritual
giant that he is.
My sincerest condolences to President
Hinckley's family.
Coral Anna Foster
Mt. Solon, Virginia
*
Giant of Humility, A
Prophet of God
Robert DeBuck
*
I love to remember that President Hinckley
told us that we have every reason to be hopeful. When I feel like
the world is going to hades in a handbasket, I think of
our wise and kind prophet who saw much more than we do, and who
encouraged us to look forward in hope.
Julie Humphreys, LMFT
*
The day will come beyond the veil when
others will comment to me, "You lived during the time of Gordon
B. Hinckley?" I can just see the Savior greeting him
with the phrase, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
President Monson will also be a great Prophet, but he has
big shoes to fill.
Blaine
L. Martinsen
Herriman,
Utah
*
A Church friend in Rotterdam phoned me this morning to tell me the
news of the passing of our beloved President Gordon B. Hinckley.
While we were still sleeping, he had finally passed from mortality
to immortality. I have shed tears. I shall miss him
so much: his powerful testimony, his great leadership, and his sparkling
sense of humour. However, mingled with tears of sorrow, are tears
of joy. What a reunion he must have
had with his adored Marjorie when he passed through the veil, and
what rejoicing there must be with all those others who went before
him!
I am profoundly grateful to have lived
in the time when he was our prophet, seer and revelator. What
he accomplished through his devoted service since his youthful
days is astounding. Well done, thou good and faithful servant!
Susan Anneveldt
Hillegom, The Netherlands
*
President Hinckley is truly a breathtaking
man — to share with us his life that was no longer his own.
We will miss him greatly!! My heart aches a little and rejoices
for him when I think of his tender reunion with his beloved Marjorie
— and with our precious Savior and King. Well done!
Tiffany Packard
Fairfax, Virginia
*
My husband and I were recent converts
to the Church, and we really admired this man, the president of
the Church of the Latter-day Saints, he will truly be missed, but
never forgotten!
Linda and Ken Lowery
Jacksonville, Arkansas
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