Death of a Prophet: Gordon B. Hinckley

This morning as I drove my son to preschool, I noticed that every flag I passed was at half-mast. I wondered: Who could have died? I wracked my brains for most of the drive, wondering who was important enough in Utah to warrant such an honor. Then, as I pulled into the school, the radio station did a news segment. The lead story was the death of LDS church president Gordon B. Hinckley.

I was surprised. Not shocked, certainly. The prophet was 97 years old. But no rumors of his ill health (apparently he had been sick for two weeks) circulated. I was reminded of his cancer surgery in 2006. We didn't hear about it until after the surgery was over. I thought this seemed rather similar. Then, I started reflecting on this man that I have believed is a prophet of God for some years.

Even though I believed President Hinckley was a prophet of God, I didn't feel like I knew it until seven or eight years ago. I drove up from college in Cedar City to meet my parents and siblings in Salt Lake for a session of General Conference. This gathering is broadcast worldwide, and seats in the large Conference Center near Temple Square are coveted. We waited in line for nearly an hour on a Saturday morning in April.

As I sat waiting, I tried to think about what the speakers would discuss. Suddenly, a susurration passed through the congregation. A flurry of activity surrounded me as everyone stood to show respect as President Hinckley entered. That's when I knew. Psychologists and scientists will say that the emotional mood of thousands probably influenced me. Maybe they're right. But in that moment, I felt the Spirit of God strongly, and the words affirming President Hinckley's calling to lead the Church entered my mind.

There are many things I admire about President Hinckley. His inspired expansion of temple building filled me with awe. Especially as I saw the happiness and heard stories from my husband's family of how grateful they are to have a temple nearer (half the travel time) than before. Temples bring the joy of eternal families to thousands upon thousands each year, and now they are accessible to more people than ever before.

I also enjoyed President Hinckley's ability to connect with the youth. Even as I rejected my parents as a teenager, I embraced President Hinckley. The way he spoke, addressing the youth as responsible adults, and exhorting them with love, touched me. I thought my parents were woefully out of touch. But a man more than twice their age seemed to know exactly what I was about. Despite his age, his advice is timeless, and his encouragement to help build a more civil and loving society in books such as Sanding for Something and Way To Be, are inspiring.

He wasn't perfect. A prophet is still human. He made mistakes and sometimes decisions that I didn't necessarily agree with. But his example of striving for perfection, and improving himself daily, is inspiring to me. And his mistakes only show his humanity. I love President Hinckley, and I know he was a prophet of God. And I am excited to see him again in the next life.