Memories of President Hinckley

We were saddened over the passing of our beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, on Sunday, January 27, 2008. This past week we had the opportunity to reflect on his life and the good he has done for the church over his lifetime. Yesterday Micah and I wrote in our journals about our feelings and memories of him as our prophet. I want to share my top ten memories in no particular order.

1. My first job was working as a banquet worker for the Church Office Building. Many of the meals that I served were to President Hinckley and President Monson. President Hinckley would comment that the portions were too large and President Monson would tell us that the portions were too small. So before each meal we would prepare a plate with small portions for President Hinckley and large portions with a glass of milk for President Monson!

2. In the Fall of 1989 I went with my dad to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Morrell in Bicknell, Utah. The weekend that we went happened to be stake conference and President Hinckley was there to speak. My grandma played the organ for the meeting and when it was over I was able to shake hands with President Hinckley. Years later when I read the biography of President Hinckley he mentioned his visit to the humble hardworking people of the Loa Stake. I am grateful to be a descendant of the people of Wayne County.

3. In the October 1997 General Conference, President Hinckley announced the building of smaller temples, at the time of his talk I was living in Bowling Green, Ohio where I lived over four hours from a temple. In April 1998, I was able to attend a special meeting with my friends Melissa and Michael in Columbus, Ohio where President Hinckley announced the building of a temple there.

4. On September 4, 1999, I was able to attend the dedication of the Columbus, Ohio Temple and be in the temple when it was dedicated by President Hinckley. He compared the Columbus temple to the greatness of the Kirtland and Salt Lake temples.

5. In November 2000, I waited in line with friends from my singles ward to hear President Hinckley speak in the Conference Center to the Youth and Young Single Adult of the church. Although, I wasn't able to hear him speak from the conference center. I will always remember sitting in the Tabernacle and hearing his "B" talk.

6. In September 2001, I finally made it in the Conference Center to hear President Hinckley speak to the Young Adults of the church. Micah and I were dating at the time so we were able to attend this together.

7. The first six months that we were married Micah and I lived in downtown Salt Lake. Upon attending church the first week we realized that we were in the same ward as President Hinckley and President James E. Faust. Due to their travel schedules they attended the ward about twice a month. It was a memorable experience to be able to be in President Hinckley's ward.

8. Over the past couple of years we have had many opportunities to attend events in the conference center where President Hinckley was in attendance. In December, I was able to attend the Christmas Broadcast with Micah's parents while he stayed home with our children. Not knowing at the time this would be the last time I would hear him speak while he was alive.

9. Thursday and Friday was President Hinckley's viewing at the conference center. My dad called me to ask if I was going. My first thought was are you crazy take three children in the cold snowy weather by myself to see the prophet. I talked it over with Micah and we decided we would go Friday afternoon and take our children with us. All day Friday all Ethan and Emma could talk about was going to see President Hinckley. We feel very blessed that we were able to have this experience with our children.

10. Micah and I were blessed to be able to get tickets to President Hinckley's funeral. It was inspirational to be in the Conference Center which was built under his direction as we reflected upon his life.