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Text by Maurine Proctor
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor
The morning of Thursday, January 31,
2008, the first of a two-day, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. viewing for President
Gordon B. Hinckley, dawned clear and bitterly cold at 18 degrees.
Click on photos to
enlarge
The tens of thousands who would make
their way to the Conference Center in the next two days would be
bundled up against the chill, their breath hovering before them
in clouds, but the weather did not deter them.
He had never been only their fair-weather
friend, and now they came with smiles and moist eyes to bid farewell
to the prophet they had loved.
Anticipating the bite in the air, Church
officials had moved the viewing to the Conference Center so that
should the line grow long, people could wait inside, snaking their
way through the auditorium or down the long corridors while waiting
their turn to say goodbye.
It was somehow fitting that President
Hinckley’s viewing be in the Conference Center, which he envisioned,
built and dedicated.
This largest religious auditorium in
the world reflects President Hinckley’s innovation and love
of beauty, with a rooftop garden that spills over the top, a waterfall
that plunges down the side,
and a dome where light plays and cascades.
In the manner that the Church always
works, every thing was gleaming and orderly.
The day before a crew had descended
upon the Hall of the Prophets where President Hinckley would lie
in state.
It was a bustling and busyness in preparation.
The carpet was cleaned, brushed and
blown dry.
The windows were darkened against the
glare.
And just beyond them, directly across
the street stood the temple, its spires speaking of heavenly things.
Click
here to continue with Part 2 of Our Last Respects for President
Hinckley
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