gordon b. hinckley

i remember hearing president kimball's scratchy voice; i don't actually remember much of president benson; president hunter served as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for such a short time.  i was 14 when president hinckley was sustained as president of the church.  but i was 17 when i knew for myself that he was, indeed, a prophet of God. 

 

i didn't want to go to college right after high school, and when i asked what i was supposed to do, the Lord told me to go to italy.  i contacted a family i had babysat for in virginia (they moved to italy for the dad's work), and they arranged for me to be a nanny for an italian family.  the first few weeks i was there were very difficult.  i was 17, had left home for the first time by going to a foreign country, didn't speak but a handful of italian words, and i felt incredibly alone.  i went to church, a small branch in la spezia, and during the relief society hour these feelings were magnified.  i didn't understand most of the language, and it was so exhausting trying to pick out the five words i knew.  the teacher wrote a scripture on the board and i looked it up.  it was doctrine & covenants 121:45-46.  i read it in english and began to get teary-eyed.  it made reference to having confidence in God, and having the constant companionship and comfort of the holy ghost--two things i felt like i needed very much at that point in time.  i looked up from reading the scripture and the teacher held up a picture of president hinckley.  

i remember president hinckley's eyes.  they were clear blue, warm, smiling, and extended that confidence and comfort i so desperately needed.  his eyes were the eyes of a prophet of God, i knew at that point.  since that moment his eyes and words have always been a source of great strength, revelation, direction, and confidence for me.  from him, i found progress and joy in temple work, energy and vision on my mission in brasil, and love and peace within our home every six months during general conference.    

president hinckley died last night in his home with his family at his bedside.  i imagine it was very peaceful, and that he felt confidence and comfort entering into the Lord's rest.  i imagine his eyes resting on Jesus the Christ on the other side of the veil, and that, somehow, offers me great confidence that my eyes will rest on Him, as well.  i hail president hinckley as a great prophet of God, and one who honored the Lord Jesus Christ with his heart, words, and actions.