Yesterday was Gordon B. Hinckley’s funeral. He died late last Sunday evening. We have spent this past week reflecting on what he meant to each of us. We have shared them below.
JTP
Last Sunday evening Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died at the age of 97. While it is always sad to lose such a great inspiration in your life, President Hinckley lived a full life and will now be reunited with his wife.
On Monday morning one of the Portuguese teachers said to me, “I was sorry to hear that the leader of your church died. I heard about him on NPR this morning and he was a marvelous man.” I couldn’t agree more. Even at 97, President Hinckley was traveling the world inspiring people. Each time I heard him speak I was lifted up and wanted to do better.
While I was in college on of my friends, JDC, was in an acapella group from Boston College that toured Utah. Their hosts were the family of one of the group members who were one of President Hinckley’s children’s neighbors. One evening one of the Hinckley’s came over to ask if the group could sing at a birthday party. When they arrived they were greeted by the family including President and Sister Hinckley. After they sang, the group spent some time visiting with the Hinckleys. When he told me about the experience, JDC said about President Hinckley, “He’s really nice. His wife’s really nice.” I think for me that’s what really came through about President Hinckley, his kindness.
TSP
I have spoken with many people this week about President Hinckley. I have been impressed with how much love everyone feels for him. Being the last week of the month, I had to finish my visiting teaching. JTP suggested, as I was preparing the lesson, that maybe an appropriate lesson would be sharing thoughts and feelings about President Hinckley. I took his suggestion and was pleased I did. It was wonderful to hear how much he means to so many people. Here are a few of my favorite things that people said. My visiting teaching companion said that she could always count on laughing during one of his talks. A blog friend said that he always made a long meeting seem short. One of ladies I visit teach said that she found his humor uplifting. Another said that is incredible optimism is what stands out. On a news link someone sent me, the commentator said that it was President Hinckley’s example that inspired him. One of the things that I find most compelling about President Hinckley is his perspective. I remember one day sitting on the trolley in Boston and reading one of his books. I do not even recall which book or exactly what he wrote. I had been struggling for sometime to find myself. I felt so inconsequential and small. I did not think I would ever be nor do something special. I felt so ordinary. That day I read in his book that life is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I realized I did not have to be special. I just had to be myself and live the life the Lord wanted me to live. I would be given opportunities to do something extraordinary and that was the important part. It was through my ordinariness that I could make a difference. I think that changed the trajectory of my life. So while President Hinckley will be remembered for his many media interviews, his Presidential Medal of Freedom or his ambitious goal of Temple building, I will always remember him for his inspiring influence on individuals.
Below is a photo that AJP and BLP chose to go with this post of President Hinckley. We like it because his personality seems to jump out at you; a little relaxed and laughing.
JTP
Last Sunday evening Gordon B. Hinckley, the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died at the age of 97. While it is always sad to lose such a great inspiration in your life, President Hinckley lived a full life and will now be reunited with his wife.
On Monday morning one of the Portuguese teachers said to me, “I was sorry to hear that the leader of your church died. I heard about him on NPR this morning and he was a marvelous man.” I couldn’t agree more. Even at 97, President Hinckley was traveling the world inspiring people. Each time I heard him speak I was lifted up and wanted to do better.
While I was in college on of my friends, JDC, was in an acapella group from Boston College that toured Utah. Their hosts were the family of one of the group members who were one of President Hinckley’s children’s neighbors. One evening one of the Hinckley’s came over to ask if the group could sing at a birthday party. When they arrived they were greeted by the family including President and Sister Hinckley. After they sang, the group spent some time visiting with the Hinckleys. When he told me about the experience, JDC said about President Hinckley, “He’s really nice. His wife’s really nice.” I think for me that’s what really came through about President Hinckley, his kindness.
TSP
I have spoken with many people this week about President Hinckley. I have been impressed with how much love everyone feels for him. Being the last week of the month, I had to finish my visiting teaching. JTP suggested, as I was preparing the lesson, that maybe an appropriate lesson would be sharing thoughts and feelings about President Hinckley. I took his suggestion and was pleased I did. It was wonderful to hear how much he means to so many people. Here are a few of my favorite things that people said. My visiting teaching companion said that she could always count on laughing during one of his talks. A blog friend said that he always made a long meeting seem short. One of ladies I visit teach said that she found his humor uplifting. Another said that is incredible optimism is what stands out. On a news link someone sent me, the commentator said that it was President Hinckley’s example that inspired him. One of the things that I find most compelling about President Hinckley is his perspective. I remember one day sitting on the trolley in Boston and reading one of his books. I do not even recall which book or exactly what he wrote. I had been struggling for sometime to find myself. I felt so inconsequential and small. I did not think I would ever be nor do something special. I felt so ordinary. That day I read in his book that life is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I realized I did not have to be special. I just had to be myself and live the life the Lord wanted me to live. I would be given opportunities to do something extraordinary and that was the important part. It was through my ordinariness that I could make a difference. I think that changed the trajectory of my life. So while President Hinckley will be remembered for his many media interviews, his Presidential Medal of Freedom or his ambitious goal of Temple building, I will always remember him for his inspiring influence on individuals.
Below is a photo that AJP and BLP chose to go with this post of President Hinckley. We like it because his personality seems to jump out at you; a little relaxed and laughing.
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