Passing of our Prophet

This morning I, Ginger, had the wonderful opportunity to go to the viewing of our Beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. I told myself many years ago that when President Hinckley passes away I have to go and say goodbye to him. Jason was so kind to watch the babes so I could go this morning with my sweet mom. After hearing last night's news coverage I got this overwhelming feeling whether I should or shouldn't go...various reasons being: my mom would be extremely late to her volunteer day at the Distribution Center, being outside in the freezing cold forever, and being out all morning keeping Jason from working because they said it would be very busy. My mom and I talked late last night and I told her I had to go no matter what. I would be very upset with myself if I didn't. She told me of her experience attending the viewing of President David O. McKay and said it was very special for her and that she wanted to go with me. She was so sweet to be my companion for the morning to face the cold.

We left this morning around 7:40. Just before we got to the trax train at 2100 south I told her about dreams I have of having to be rushed to get train tickets and missing the train (you know, those weird dreams of going to school and forgetting your homework, or having a test and not knowing any of the answers, or not being able to open your locker, etc....Am I the only one?) Well, it almost happened that way. We got to the train stop and the train was approaching. I quickly ran up to the machine and thanks to Jason's crisp dollar bills he gave me this morning I had the exact change. The train doors opened as my tickets were printing. They popped out just in time (the doors were beeping getting ready to close) and we boarded. Other than that, the rest of the morning couldn't have been more perfect. I actually found it rather nice that the train approached when it did. It seems I conquered my dream fears as well as we didn't have to stay out in the cold for very long.

As we boarded the train a sweet older woman whom looked rather rough around the edges (I believe I have seen her before with a group of homeless people that would linger throughout the day near my old work building). She was so kind and offered her seat to my mother. She insisted, even after my mom said "it's okay, I am fine standing." She then had her friend offer me his seat as well. They were getting off soon and really wanted to serve us. God bless them for their examples. It really touched me that they would be so willing to serve us.

We got to the Conference Center close to 8:00 and noticed a line that went around the building. It wasn't too long. We got in line and I noticed a man who looked so much like President James E. Faust. I told my mom and she agreed. I so bad wanted to get out of line to ask him if he was a son or related to him at all, but I was too afraid. It put a smile on my face to see this man. You see, when President Faust had been put in to the first Presidency back in 1995 my mother, my aunt Teddie, and I were walking around the Joseph Smith Building admiring the beauty and soon approaches a man. I wasn't quite sure who it was at first because he just approached us unexpectedly. It was President Faust. He came up to us and briefly spoke to us and shook our hands. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was so special to my mom and I to have him say hello to us. The space was wide open and he's a busy guy, and for him to have taken the time to walk directly up to us to say hello was wonderful to me.

Seeing this man today in line put a huge smile on my face. It made me recollect that time with my mom and aunt back in 1995. We finally asked him after we were exiting the building. He was so nice to talk to us. He said, "No, I have no relation to President Faust. I am a lawyer though and people have asked me that same question before." We told him that he put a smile on our faces just seeing him there today. He held my mom's hand and tapped the top of her hand with his other hand, thanking us for saying that to him. I really felt like it was a way for me to see President Faust's face again. I didn't get a chance to hear his entire funeral, so I gave me real comfort today. The spirit bore testimony to me that Yes, indeed I will get to see President Faust's face again.

The line outside started to move around 8:20ish. We were only outside the Conference Center for 15 minutes or so. As we moved along the building we had to go back up the outside stairs that take you to south and then east toward the south doors of the building (that's where the Security checks were). It was a bit chilly and a bit shady too. But wow, I had a feeling overcome me that I will never forget. As we turned to go east, the morning sun just beamed so intensely into my face. I looked up to see the sun shining between the temple and the church office building. It was so distinct to me. The first thing that came into my head were the words, "Oh how lovely was the morning." The first line of the song, "Joseph Smith's First Prayer."

Oh, how lovely was the morning!
Radiant beamed the sun above.
Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,
Music ringing thru the grove,
When within the shady woodland
Joseph sought the God of love. …

Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing—
’Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer—
When the pow’rs of sin assailing
Filled his soul with deep despair;
But undaunted, still he trusted
In his Heav’nly Father’s care. …

Suddenly a light descended,
Brighter far than noonday sun,
And a shining glorious pillar
O’er him fell, around him shone,
While appeared two heav’nly beings,
God the Father and the Son. …
“Joseph, this is my Beloved;

Hear him!” Oh, how sweet the word!
Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,
And he listened to the Lord.
Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,
For he saw the living God.
(Hymns, number 26)


Outside was so beautiful. The sky was blue and the sun was bringing warmth to the chilly air. My eyes filled up with tears having that feeling come upon me. I feel so blessed.

As we winded through the building, we were brought to a hallway where painted portraits line the way of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and then to your left are the portraits of the First Presidency with President Hinckley in the middle. As I walked passed each portrait I tried to reflect on past talks they had given that stuck out in my mind and have helped me in my life. They are Men of God. The line continued to move quickly and we entered the hallway of the prophets. Head statues of each of the past prophets aligned the room. Flowers filled the room and in the center was President Hinckley's casket. I looked to my right to see a giant window giving the room that same beautiful light I had seen outside. This window overlooked the temple. President Hinckley lay parallel with the temple. He looked so at peace. Words came into my mind of Gratitude. Thank you President Hinckley for being a true servant of our Father in Heaven. For giving us a legacy of so many wonderful things. Words can't express the gratitude I feel for him. He did so much. To see his 97 year old body so still, the spirit testified to me that he is truly at rest. As I walked by I felt this overwhelming love...knowing that he loved us all and that he wants us all to know we are Children of a loving Heavenly Father. I will miss him, but I know he is with the Father and Son, his wife, and many others beyond the veil. He testified of them and he testified of this truth...that there is a Plan.

After we exited that room we had the opportunity to see President Hinckley's oldest son setting out some flowers from the grandchildren. On the flowers were small messages from each of the families of the grandchildren. One stuck out in my mind the most. It spoke of how Grandpa would say how much he misses Grandma, especially at Christmas time. It then went on to say how they would miss Grandpa at Christmas time too. I am feeling so happy for him right now because he did tell us a few times that he did miss his sweet wife...and now they have been reunited once again....Forever Together.

I am so grateful for this experience. I will never forget this feeling of gratitude for the gospel in my life. I am so blessed and I want to make this experience an even bigger blessing in my life. President Hinckley is 3 times my age plus 10 years. He lived an amazing life, the whole 97 years. I have a lot of my life to look forward to and a lot of choices too. To sum it up, this experience has opened my eyes in wanting to do better...not better...but "BEST" and to "Stand a Little Taller."

Ginger Bird; Thursday, January 30, 2008

To be written at a later date...my memory of General Conference last April when we stood and sung to our Prophet "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet". There wasn't a dry eye there. Many of us wept.