It is strange to have never met a person, and to still feel so close to him/her, like that person has made such a difference in your life, and even as if they are one of your most trusted friends. Gordon Bitner Hinckley was one of those people for me. His words have entertained and inspired me for most of my life, and without a doubt my life is better because of him. He will be missed.
Some clips from the press release of his passing:
“President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global
expansion, has died at the age of 97…
President Hinckley was known, even at the age of 97, as a tireless leader who always put in a full day at the office and traveled extensively around the world to mix with Church members, now numbering 13 million in 171 nations.
His quick wit and humor, combined with an eloquent style at the pulpit, made him one of the most loved of modern Church leaders…
He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace and on CNN’s Larry King Live, as well as being quoted and featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years. During the Salt Lake Olympics of 2002, his request that the Church refrain from proselytizing visitors was credited by media with generating much of the goodwill that flowed to the Church from the international event…
President Hinckley received a number of educational honors…
President Hinckley was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America;
was honored by the National Conference for Community and Justice (formerly the National Conference of Christians and Jews) for his contributions to tolerance and understanding in the world;
and received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
In 2004, President Hinckley was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in the White House…
President Hinckley wrote and edited several books and numerous manuals, pamphlets and scripts, including a best-selling book, Standing for Something, aimed at a general audience. In it he championed the virtues of love, honesty, morality, civility, learning, forgiveness, mercy, thrift and industry, gratitude, optimism and faith.”
I liked this tribute, from a well-known CNN broadcaster:
Another great video of remembrance: http://mynews.byu.edu/more/HB_video_16x9_high.mov
or this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCef9Xr3F9c
Hmmm… I can’t get your second picture or your link to work.
But I agree, WHAT A MAN!!
I keep thinking about world leaders and how he doesn’t even compare to them. Here is a man who led a group of people with pure LOVE and GOODWILL. And not one of those he leads despises things he says. Think of the effect a political leader who led that way could have.
I will miss him so much, but the comfort in being a member of this church is that we know the Lord is at the head and that it will continue to be guided and progress.
Thanks Becky, he did give so much in a way that inspired people to want to be better. I agree that it would be nice to see that quality in more people in leadership positions.
I find comfort in my belief that God will continue guide good people all over the world and from all walks of life, especially those who seek that guidance. One thing I gratefully saw through the example of President Hinckley is a deep respect and admiration for people of all walks of life who are trying to do good, those from many faiths and even of no particular faith.
Perhaps others would disagree with me, but I like to believe God’s hand is in all of our lives, that he actually wants to be more able to guide and bless us, and that he can be even more a part of our lives as we seek Him and allow him to be.
Of course, I’m not a great example of that myself – but hope to be better as the years go on.