Before the funeral of President Hinkley today, I was browsing the internet and came accross the Desseret News Page. I found this tribute to President Hinkley, and felt that it also expressed my feelings, and memories of our beloved Brother. A mighty force for good — a spiritual giant and a dear friend — has been lost in the passing of our prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. Although his form was diminutive — lately bent and slowed with age — his stature was immense. As he encouraged others to do, he stood tall — tall in example, tall in goodness and tall among the great men of history. His greatness is not measured as the world measures, in conquests or temporal affluence: it is a greatness defined by his devotion to goodness. He lived as he spoke, a man of twinkling eye and ready wit, a man of great personal warmth who often expressed his love for each Church member. Of him it may also be said that his life was his teachings and his teachings were his life. The works of the First Presidency during his administration were vast. But let it be noted that the works of his administration were imbued with kindness. His goodness is expressed in courage, a deep personal bravery to move forward on so many fronts. Through his decisions, the blessings of the gospel were extended to those who could not receive it any other way — people in remote places distant from a temple had temples come to them because of President Hinckley's decisions. People who waited many hours in April snowstorms or in the rain or the heat to attend conference can now attend in the comfort of the Conference Center. And people in those distant areas who would never see a Church president in person during their entire lifetimes have seen President Hinckley because he traveled to them. These efforts, all based on compassion, are key to understanding President Hinckley's goodness — that true goodness is laced with kindness, and true kindness is based on selflessness. He was selfless and totally focused on what he felt was best for the Lord, best for the Church and best for its membership because he loved all three. When what is best meant delivering an address at the near point of exhaustion, he did it. When it suggested giving up his privacy and inviting the world to a birthday party, he did it. When it required courage to become the central focus of the CBS investigative series "60 Minutes," he did it. When that meant continuing on alone after the passing of his beloved life companion, Marjorie, he did it. Those around him, those nearby, or even distant acquaintances — eventually the entire Church — vibrated with his energy. His influence in the forward progress of the Church cannot be overstated. All must agree that he changed the face of the Church across the world, and with it our lives. His loss is keenly felt. But that loss is lessened because before he left us, he shared with us his closeness to the Lord. His testimony is profound in its depth and breadth and deserves to be remembered here: "God the Eternal Father ... is a being, real and individual," he said in April 2007 general conference. "He is the great Governor of the universe, yet, He is our Father, and we are His children. We pray to Him, and those prayers are a conversation between God and man. I am confident that He hears our prayers and answers them. I could not deny that. I have had too many experiences of answered prayers. "Without (the Atonement) life is meaningless. It is the keystone in the arch of our existence. It affirms that we lived before we were born in mortality. Mortality is but a stepping stone to a more glorious existence in the future. The sorrow of death is softened with the promise of the Resurrection." His awareness of the strength that will be needed both by the Church and by individuals has not been underestimated. We are now better able to deal with the future because our own testimonies are deeper as a result of his example. Our understanding of the gospel has more depth. Our commitment to serve is bound more tightly. Our sense of brotherhood and sisterhood is bonded. Our devotion to our families is greater. We strive harder at personal righteousness. We are more willing to fellowship new converts, to help them in their callings and to magnify our own. Together, at his suggestion, we grow in the nurture and admonition of the good word of the Lord. Our gratitude for him is beyond words. And now the love of members in more than 160 nations, many of whom saw him in person, crystallizes into tangibility expressed in the universal language of teardrops — "Goodbye, President Hinckley." We will dearly miss you, till we meet again.
