Monday, February 04, 2008

President Hinckley and the Prophet's Mantle

I've been linking through the LDS Webring, and reading tributes to President Gordon B. Hinckley So many of them have touched me quite deeply. I appreciate all the testimonies, antidotes, and thoughts about this great man.
I remember that I had a friend question something President Hinckley didn't do that she thought he should do when he was in the first presidency with President Benson. I didn't know much about him because I had been less active in my youth. Then after I truly studied and came to know of the truthfulness of the gospel during President Benson's stewardship, I felt President Benson was MY prophet. When he died, there was a hole in my heart for him.
I don't know where my mind was when President Hunter was the prophet. I think it was one of my baby years (being sick and pregnant and out of it). So when President Hinckley became the prophet, I remember turning the TV on and watching the beginning of a documentary. They showed a black and white clip of a man coming into the tabernacle and up to the pulpit. I felt that strong, sweet witness that this was MY prophet. I thought, "It's a documentary on President Benson." I was so excited. Then the camera zoomed in, and the narrator said something about Gordon B. Hinckley being set apart as a new apostle. I was so surprised by the strength of the witness. I hadn't really even been thinking about it, or questioning if I would accept him as my prophet. I still didn't know anything about him, but I knew he was the new prophet of God, MY prophet.
I think what I experienced at that time was much like what the people did when they saw the mantle go upon Brigham Young after Joseph died. The small doubt that was sewn by my friend was forgotten because of the witness of the Holy Ghost. I'm so thankful for it. How we will miss that sweet, dear prophet!

5 comments:

Dan Olsen said...

I'm grateful that we can receive personal revelation about our leaders. Some may think that we just blindly follow the leadership of the church, but it's not so. The Holy Spirit speaks to my spirit in ways I can't deny.

Tristi Pinkston said...

Hi there,

Thank you for this beautiful tribute.

I'm on your blog ring and wanted to stop in and introduce myself. Hi!

Terry Neff Allen said...

to those of you who have visited, thank you for your visit and comments!

Brittney said...

Hi Terry! I'm responding to a comment you left on my blog earlier. Yes, Elder {Javier} Misiego is my brother-in-law. =) He lives here in Salt Lake and we love him to death! He shows up now and then on my blog... in fact we took a trip down to Arizona last summer w/ him and spent the weekend in Phoenix, and there's an entry w/ pics from that. I loved your entry about him and the songs he played. Isn't it amazing how the Lord attends to the details of our lives? I'll be sure to have him read what you wrote! Take care!

Unknown said...

I absolutely adore President Hinckley and miss him very much.

He and Joseph Smith are the prophets I've had the closest connection, although I really love President Benson too.