By Hollywood

1. I am still in shock- I just found out. I’m sure I will have more to say when I stop crying, but for now just let me say, he was a truly amazing man.

   Thank you for the link.

   Comment #1 by *Marie*January 27th, 2008 at 5:39 pm

2. Thanks, Hollywood. I have lots of memories of Pres. Hinckley. He was really the first prophet I remember speaking from the pulpit. So many other prophets before him were ill and couldn’t speak at conference, and I remember my aunt saying, “It’s so good to hear from a prophet again!”

   We will miss him.

   Comment #2 by Heather O.January 27th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

3. I went to conference when President Hinckley was sustained. It was awwwwesome. I had never felt before or since what it was to sit at the feet of a prophet.

   Plus, I will always remember when he showed up at our Stake Conference unannounced.

   Comment #3 by The WizJanuary 27th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

4. I don’t think it has hit me yet. Pres. Hinckley has been the prophet for as long as I’ve been wise enough to actually listen to General Conference. What a wonderful reunion he must have had, not only with his sweet wife, but with his Savior, and with his Heavenly Parents. I, like Marie, will probably have more to say after the tears dry.

   Comment #4 by TeresaJanuary 27th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

5. Through my tears I will type my one minor encounter with President Hinckley. As my commencement line at BYU was winding its way to the Marriott Center, everyone wanted a glimpse of Pres. Hinckley since he’d only been prophet for a couple of months. (Tells you when I graduated.) Anyway, my line was closest and I happened to end up right in front of him for just a moment. He smiled and said, “Hello.” Nothing major, but I’ve never forgotten it.

   He was truly a prophet and will surely be missed. I will always treasure his message of faith and optimism.

   Comment #5 by ZinkaJanuary 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

6. I too am shocked. We heard him speak just a few weeks ago at our broadcast Stake Conference…

   Comment #6 by MelissaJanuary 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm

7. I forgot to mention a memory… my favorite was when he came to Ricks College (yes, it was Ricks then) he said to us “You’re not much to look at, but you’re all the Lord’s got! So get out there and do what you can!” I know that he said basically the same thing to other groups, but I always loved this…

   Comment #7 by MelissaJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

8. I was also at the solemn assembly when he was sustained.

   I just talked to my mom, and she had the same feelings that my husband and I did: sad to see him go but grateful that he is reunited with his wife. Theirs is such a sweet love story, and you can see how much her support impacted him.

   He will be missed.

   Comment #8 by tiffanyJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

9. Godspeed, to a great, great man.

   Comment #9 by Tracy MJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

10. My children really don’t know any other Prophet - not even my oldest in college. My daughters cried when I told them the news.

    Along with Pres. Kimball, he was the most gentle, humble, kind man of great authority whom I have ever known. I absolutely LOVED the sparkle in his eyes and voice - that subtle and sweet sense of humor.

    From Marlin K. Jensen:

    “His keen intellect and thirst to understand how everything works resulted in a storehouse of knowledge that will be nearly irreplaceable,” said Elder Marlin Jensen, the church’s official historian. “I believe he was a true prophet but it didn’t hurt that he was a genius, too.”

    Amen.

    Comment #10 by JessicaDJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

11. Sorry; that last comment was me. Forgot to change the name from my daughter’s last comment.

    Comment #11 by RayJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:18 pm

12. The first time I saw him in person was when I was 16 at the Pioneer Day parade. I stood there in a crowd of people with tears streaming down my face as I realized for the first time my testimony of the prophet. I will always love him for his gentle prodding to do better, be better–and do it with a sense of humor!

    Comment #12 by EmilyJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

13. My favorite memory is having the opportunity to sing at a session of General Conference. When the conference ended, and as he was preparing to leave, he turned around to wave his cane “hello” at the choir. I remember feeling the spirit so strong, and felt so blessed to be there in the same room as the prophet.

    Comment #13 by LizJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

14. I went to his ward once with my sister’s in-laws. He was actually there that day. I stood in the doorway looking for my party & he looked at me. It was as if he could see deep into my soul - which left me a little terrified. But all I saw in his eyes was love.
    He will be missed, truly.
    The first thing I thought of was Christ saying, “Well done, my good & faithful servant.”

    Comment #14 by HRHJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:37 pm

15. lds.org has a story up here.
    He was such an awesome prophet, and it is so sad to see him go. He seemed a bit like the energizer bunny that would never die. I love how he broke wasn’t afraid to be interviewed by media people and be seen in the open. He will me missed!!

    Comment #15 by MelJanuary 27th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

16. I’m sure my first thought was the same as many others’ - He must be so happy to be with Sister Hinckley again! I will truly miss his quick sense of humor and the love that you couldn’t help but feel from him.

    Comment #16 by ColleenJanuary 27th, 2008 at 7:00 pm

17. Oh, how I love this man!

    I remember when he was called as the prophet, I was 16 and didn’t know much about him, but I’d always thought him rather gruff and a little intimidating. Well, it didn’t take long to see that he was anything but that! His twinkle in his eye and quick humor disarmed even his fiercest critics, and he was so well read and I loved his self-depracating humor and was the type of person I wanted to be more like.

    I grew to love him even more after I read his biography by Sheri Dew and realized that he wasn’t great because he was a prophet, he was a prophet because he was great! He modeled his life after the Savior’s and was a true Christian in every sense of the word. My parents live in the same ward as a couple of his daughters (one of whom is my mom’s RS Pres., and she said Jane wasn’t at church today, so I’m sure the whole family knew what was coming and were able to be with him today which is a big comfort) so I’ve heard a lot of more intimate stories of his life, but none are so powerful as the example he set in his everyday actions and testimony. He will be sorely missed, but I’m so glad he’s with his beloved Marjorie and His Savior again. God bless him and his family!

    Comment #17 by StarababaJanuary 27th, 2008 at 7:10 pm

18. My mother-in-law emailed “advance” information that she got through a friend of hers (she likes being in the know)–and now it’s all over the news–even on the front page of USA today. Is is just me, or is that unusual? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given that it is President Hinkley–he worked so hard to help others understand our message through the media.

    I taught Relief Society today and used a quote from Marjorie Hinkley, and thought briefly how much he must miss her–she was such an amazing woman. When I found out that he is gone, it made me tear up to realize that he doesn’t have to miss her anymore. What a wonderful reunion he must be having with her and so many other loved ones. I will miss him, but I am so glad for him to have been able to move on–the last few years have been difficult for him without his wife.

    My daughter’s (age 6) favorite quote of his is: “I feel like the last leaf on the tree.” Not anymore –it’s finally his turn to move on.

    Comment #18 by ErinJanuary 27th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

19. It’s funny to me how even at 97 years old I am surprised at his passing. Much like my grandma, I thought he would live forever. And also like my grandma, I wish he had. It’s hard to imagine someone ever replacing him as my favorite.

    Comment #19 by VernJanuary 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

20. I loved President Hinkley. He felt so warm and full of good humor.

    The prophet of the Lord has died. How this thought makes me weep.

    Comment #20 by meemsJanuary 27th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

21. I think his legacy will be continued temple expansion across Africa and Asia, with the eventual proliferation of “small” temples attached to stake centers so people all over (and not just the Mountain West) can participate in temple worship weekly.

    Also, with any luck at all, his legacy of humor will continue as we take our faith, but not ourselves, seriously.

    God speed you, president Hinckley! I’m so happy to think of your reunion with your lovely wife.

    Comment #21 by JanetJanuary 28th, 2008 at 5:47 am

22. I always loved the way that he would acknowledge our hard work, but let us know in no uncertain terms that we could do better. His love for all people was very apparent. I loved his humor. I’m amazed by his legacy, smaller temples and the perpetual education fund are huge. He was such a blessing to all of us. Of course, I am so glad that he is reunited with his wife.

    Comment #22 by JeffnerJanuary 28th, 2008 at 6:15 am

23. I had a thought last night, so I looked up his General Conference tribute to Marjorie after her death. In it he said:

    “My children and I were at her bedside as she slipped peacefully into eternity. As I held her hand and saw mortal life drain from her fingers, I confess I was overcome. Before I married her, she had been the girl of my dreams, to use the words of a song then popular. She was my dear companion for more than two-thirds of a century, my equal before the Lord, really my superior. And now in my old age, she has again become the girl of my dreams.”

    I am glad he sees her no longer just in his dreams.

    Comment #23 by RayJanuary 28th, 2008 at 6:32 am

24. I wrote all about my feelings at my blog: http://whimsybooks.livejournal.com/67199.html

    What a great man!

    Comment #24 by EmilyJanuary 28th, 2008 at 6:51 am

25. Thomas S. Monson spoke at a regional conference for the southern states this Sunday. He looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Now I know why.

    I’ve been weeping all morning - mostly selfish tears — I will miss him so much. He was such a great man, and so personable and funny. I loved knowing that he never took himself too seriously and that he always encouraged us to try and do a little better. I’m so happy that he’ll be reunited with his wonderful wife.

    Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

    Comment #25 by AndreaJanuary 28th, 2008 at 7:30 am

26. This may sound calloused, but I really wasn’t that sad. I think I knew that his time was coming, and all I could think about was how wonderful it must be for him to see his wife again! It was kind of surreal –almost as if it was a joke at first. But hearing that he died so peacefully, with family by his side, all I could think of was how he must have been relieved to finally be done with his earthly mission. What a strong man to have done what he did, for as long as he did it. I just hope they give him a small break before putting him to work on the other side!

    Comment #26 by cherylJanuary 28th, 2008 at 7:35 am

27. As a young teen when President Kimball died, I was devastated…how could I ever love a different prophet? As I watched my daughter grieve when we told her the news, I realized that President Hinckley has been the prophet her entire twelve years of life…and she has truly loved him. Yet I have no doubt she will love our next prophet as well, as will I.

    My fondest memory is following his council to read the Book of Mormon two years ago. We did this as a family and read every word out loud. Nothing else we’ve done together has been as meaningful to me.

    My daughter’s friend called her last night and asked if she would wear “church clothes” to school tomorrow in honor of President Hinckley. What a fitting tribute from some of our youngest church members. Out of the mouths of babes…

    Comment #27 by AhnaJanuary 28th, 2008 at 7:45 am

28. My 17year old son said he was so sad because this was prophet he has known all his life. I felt the same way about Pres. Kimball when I was growing up.

    My son receieved a text message from a girl in his seminary class last night about the passing of Pres. Hinkley. She said, “I think it’s so sad, but then I know he his happy to be with his wife. You could tell he missed her so much.”

    I am so impressed with our youth! He had such a great influence on them, didn’t he?

    Comment #28 by Vivian LoveJanuary 28th, 2008 at 8:01 am

29. President Hinckley was truly a compassionate and empathetic man. I loved that he called us his “friends” and “associates”. He is a truly amazing Prophet!

    Comment #29 by JillJanuary 28th, 2008 at 8:12 am

30. He will definitely be missed, I remmber when he and his wife came to Hamilton, Canada. I can remember the day well. I also remember well the letter that came from his office and even had his signature on it…the small things and the big, he was a man who did bring the church forward and made worship easier for so many of us.

    Comment #30 by HollieJanuary 28th, 2008 at 8:56 am

31. Gratuitous cross-posting from my blog, but I think that this is now one of my favorite GBH memories:

    Cooper came upstairs this evening asking for a slice of toast with butter and honey on it, as he does almost every other night. I asked him if he could wait a few minutes, as I was emotionally reading a news article. I told him I needed just a moment to read something important and sad. He inquired what could be more important than honey-toast, and I told him that President Hinckley had passed away this evening. He paused for a moment, and then went on to entertain himself until I was finished.

    An hour later, it was time to say our family prayers. We reminded Cooper that it was his turn, and he obliged with no argument — a rarity. He then proceeded to bring Aaron and I both to tears with a beautiful and pure prayer that went like this:

    Dear Heavenly Father, we’re thankful for this day. Bless that mom will feel better. Bless that we’ll all sleep good and that no one will have bad dreams. Bless that Gordon B. Hinckley will have fun in heaven. Bless that Alex will sleep all night and that we’ll all have good days. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

    Amen, Cooper.

    Comment #31 by TeresaJanuary 28th, 2008 at 9:18 am

32. My testimony of President Hinckley was confirmed as a watched a video of the press conference when he was first President (this was a couple years later). But as they said he was our new prophet, the spirit was so strong testifying to me that he really was our prophet.

    I will always remember him for his optimism and sense of humor. I will definitely miss him, and as surprised as I was that he died, in a way I think we knew it was coming sooner or later. I’m sure he is happy where he is now!

    Comment #32 by Richelle FJanuary 28th, 2008 at 9:29 am

33. It was sort of hard for me to accept President Hinckley as prophet at first, because I loved President Hunter and wasn’t all that familiar with Pres. Hinckley, and I also still had memories of Spencer W. Kimball whom I also loved, but I recall that first General Conference where he was sustained, and I truly did feel the Spirit proclaiming him a prophet. He’s also been the only prophet I’ve seen speak in person, as we live out in the “mission field”.

    Comment #33 by snow whiteJanuary 28th, 2008 at 9:43 am

34. I think that it’s going to be the hardest for me not to see President Hinckley and President Monson together, when I look back I can’t remember a time that they weren’t sitting together on the stand, wether on either side of the prophet as counselors or side by side as prophet and counselor. I think I’m saddest for President Monson and the rest of the 12. We’ve lost a Prophet, they’ve lost a dear friend.

    Comment #34 by moddyJanuary 28th, 2008 at 10:09 am

35. What I think I’ll miss the most is his humor. He was funny!!!!

    Comment #35 by Sarah IJanuary 28th, 2008 at 11:05 am

36. He was an awesome man!

    If anyone wants a more international forum to pay tribute, the BBC are asking.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7212488.stm

    Comment #36 by moniqueJanuary 28th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

37. I LOVE Gorden B. Hinkley and he will allways be my fav. profet.I am so happy that he is with his wife again but I will forever miss him.

    Comment #37 by melissaFebruary 2nd, 2008 at 12:27 pm

38. I am sooooo glad that someone made this website in appriciation of gorden.

    Comment #38 by melissaFebruary 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm

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