LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley dies

We found out about President Hinckley's death last night around 8:30 pm MST. He passed away around 7 pm. The news was a bit shocking and I really couldn't believe it was happening. So, we searched all over the web until we began finding the news release of his death. It was true, our beloved prophet was dead. This is my first experience with a president of the Church dying during my adulthood and I'm sad to say that I don't like this feeling at all. I know he was old, but he lived so unbelievably healthy and energetic throughout his older years that I thought he would live forever! The feeling I have is almost as if my own grandfather passed away. I am reassured that he is happier than ever to be back in the presence of his sweetheart and other family members. I'm sure the reunion there is a large and exciting celebration.

I have learned so much from this prophet of God and am grateful for his example, service and love. Here is an article I found in the Houston Chronicle

Hope and life, in Gordon B. Hinckley's own words.
From Staff and Wire Reports

"Many people are looking for something that they can hold onto, an anchor to which they can attach their lives. That's one thing. Two: We expect things of our people. We expect them to do things. We expect them to measure up to certain standards. It isn't always easy to be a member of this church. It's demanding. But it's wonderfully fruitful and has a tremendous affect on people."
— On CNN's Larry King Live Sept. 8, 1998, in answer to the question on what attracts people to the Mormon church.

• "What I am suggesting is that we have had missing from our society a buoyant spirit of optimism. What I am asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our culture and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live; that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults; that optimism replace pessimism; that uncertainty and worry be pushed aside by an enduring feeling of hope."
— Page 101 in Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues that Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes (Three Rivers Press, $14.95).

• "A little play and a little loafing are good from time to time. But it is work that spells the difference in the life of a young man or young woman. It is usually work and effort that explain the difference between the gold-medal athlete and those who finish even a fraction of a second later. It is work that provides the food we eat, the clothing we wear, the homes in which we live, the grades and training we receive. It is work that gives us a feeling of accomplishment. And it is work that allows us to feel that we are making a difference in the world."
— Page 37 in Way to Be!: 9 Ways to be Happy and Make Something of Your Life (Simon & Schuster, $14.95).

• "Those of us who are American citizens stand solidly with the president of our nation. The terrible forces of evil must be confronted and held accountable for their actions. This is not a matter of Christian against Muslim. I am pleased to see that food is being dropped to the hungry people of a target nation. We value our Muslim neighbors across the world and hope that those who live by the tenets of their faith will not suffer. I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive. It is the terrorist organizations that must be ferreted out and brought down."
— During an address in Salt Lake City, Oct. 7, 2001.

• "Our desire everywhere is to make bad men good and good men better. Wherever we go, we go in the front door. Our representatives honor the laws of the nations to which they go and teach the people to be good citizens. We teach, we train, we build, we educate, we provide opportunity for growth and development. We give hope to those without hope and there is nothing greater you can give a man or a woman than hope."
— National Press Club address, March 8, 2000.

As a freshman at BYU, we had this quote on our dormitory hall: The gospel makes bad men good and good men better!

I pray we all have the desire to become better through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it surely is the truth because I have definitely become a better friend, daughter, sister, mother and wife because of my desire to live the gospel, which is the good news, the word of God.

We will miss you, President Hinckley!