Final Thoughts About President Hinckley

After watching the funeral of President Hinckley today, I wanted to pay my last respects to this great man.  The more I learn about him through the reminisces of others, the more in awe I become of him.  His selfless service, humility, dedication, work ethic, good humor, optimism, and faith are an example to all.  While I'm sure he had his faults (none that I could see), he was truly the kind of role model people wish we had more of today.

I'll admit that tears flowed freely at the conclusion of the memorial service when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" during a video montage of his life.  It was weird, but they were tears of sadness and happiness at the same time—sadness over the fact we'll never see his smile or listen to him speak again, but happiness and gratitude for what he left behind.  Not only the Church, but the world is a better place because he was here.

One thing that struck me was how much more his passing affected me than that of the other Prophets I've known who preceded him.  I was only 11 when President Kimball died, and while I recognized him as the Prophet, I think I was too young to have developed much of bond to him.  When President Benson passed, he had been sick and out of the limelight for so long I think I mostly felt relief that he no longer had to suffer the effects of old age.  Then President Hunter came and went so quickly there wasn't any time to develop much of a bond with him.  But through all of that, in both sickness and health of the Prophets, President Hinckley was there assuring us that the Lord was still and always directing the church according to His will.

As long as I can remember, he has been the consistent face of steady Church leadership.  While I knew he was old, it rarely ever showed.  When he passed on, it was without much warning.  Suddenly that consistent face of Church leadership was gone.  While I know the Church is still in good hands (President Monson has now served longer as an Apostle and in the First Presidency than President Hinckley had when he became the President) I can't help but miss his presence.  While this day was inevitable, it simply seemed to come too soon.

So with the rest of the Church, I hail you President Hinckley:

God be with you till we meet again;

Keep love's banner floating o'er you;

Smite death's threat'ning wave before you.

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, tell we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus' feet,

Till we meet, tell we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

[Just in case you haven't seen it yet, here's another tribute to President Hinckley from Glenn Beck.]