Our Dear Prophet

Last Sunday, around 9:00, I recieved a text message from my brother-in-law that said "did you hear about President Hinckley?" My heart dropped. He didn't have to say anything else- I knew. He lived a full and amazing life, and although he will be greatly missed, he is in a better place, joined again with his beautiful wife.

It didn't affect me much throught the week. I thought about it occasionally, and I prayed for his family. But this morning, as I was reviewing my lesson for the Young Women, I had a feeling I needed to change the lesson, and talk about the prophet. I realize that all of them will talk with their families about him after watching the funeral services, however, I still thought this Sunday was a perfect day to remember him. I am sure many of the testimonies tomorrow will be of President Hinckley and the work he set forth. So I sat down to figure out how to plan this lesson, and was immediatley stuck. Where do I even begin? Such an amazing man, with so many stories; how do I fit it into a forty minute lesson? I still am not sure how I am going to do it. I have a few of his books, and I have been reading many of the stories and quotes, and many of them stick out in my mind, I just haven't figured out how to throw them all together.

I knew that I would not be home this morning to watch the funeral live, so I recorded hours worth of broadcasts, some of which I am sure are repeats, however, I did not want to miss any of it. So I took a break from my lesson, and began watching some of the interviews and stories about the prophet. It was then that I was hit with a feeling, one that washed over me so quickly, I didn't realize what was happening. As I was watching the broadcast, I was feeding Cooper, and I realized that my beautiful children were lucky enough to be born in a time when President Hinckley was prophet, however they will never remember the power that he had, and the amazing work he set forth. Ten years from now, they will read about him and all the temples that were constructed under his presidency. They will read the Proclamation To The Family and they will know it was he who told us how important the family is. But they will not remember the impact that he had on their young lives. My testimony is, in great part, due to President Hinckley. I am 27 years old, and he was President for 13 of those years. That is a giant chunk of my life, and so many things happened under his presidency.

Later as I watched the beginning of the funeral service ( I still have not finished it. I can't focus with the kids awake.) I was hit yet again. I saw his empty chair, and I lost it. Although that chair will again have an amazing man sitting in it, it will never again have President Hinckley. What a loss we have suffered, yet what a blessing it was to know him, and learn from him. I am so excited to teach my children from his lessons, and to talk about that man who led us through some of the most amazing times. I am thankful for the work he set forth, and for his understanding and compassion for people of all nations and religions. I have been deeply touched by his love and service, and hope that I can only emulate it.