Blog 02/04/08

February 4, 2008

Thoughts on President Hinckley

President Hinckley passed away on Sunday January 27, 2008. I heard the news by a 10:00 PM phone call from Richard Stuart (Institute Director). He was 97 years, 8 months of age at the time of his passing.

While we were serving in Hawaii President Hinckley came to speak at a missionary conference (about 200 Elders and Sisters and 50 Senior couples) held at the historic Honolulu Tabernacle. We were bused down from Laie and were all seated a good 30 minutes before the start of the meeting. The mission president gave us all a good lecture about how to behave when the Prophet arrived. Remain seated - don't shout out – you’re your suit coats on, don't try to shake hands, and so forth. At the appointed time President Hinckley bounded into the hall via a side door. We all stood and started singing "We thank thee oh God for a Prophet” He waved hi with his cane and started up the isle, shaking hands with everyone he could reach (I noticed some of the young missionaries hesitated a bit - given the previous lecture by the mission president). He just lifted everyone in the room by his presence. As he came up the isle closest to us (Jean and I were seated on the second row) and shook hands with the missionary in front of me President Hinckley looked past the front row and looked me right in the eye. As our eyes met I felt his gaze penetrate my very soul. Even now, I get chill bumps as I think about it. In that short period of time our eyes connected I felt a clear message from him to me. "God loves you, I love you, you are doing a good thing (serving a mission) and you and your family will be blessed." The moment passed quickly but it is stamped into my mind for ever.
Comfort from the Prophet.

Shortly after 9/11 Brent and I were moving some of his stuff out of the Bunnage household to his home in Magrath. The TV was on, and as we passed by with our hands full the announcer was saying, "And now, in an effort to make some sense of the terrible tragedy (9/11) we have invited some world religious leaders here tonight. First, from SLC, Mormon President Gordon B Hinckley. President Hinckley then started to answer questions in such calm and reassuring manner that both Brent and I dropped what we were doing and just listened - President Hinckley had that effect on you - you just wanted to listen to him.

A great sense of humor.

Sister Cottle and I were present in the meeting where he said to the missionaries, with a twinkle in his eye, "missionaries, always do your best - the Lord is counting on you - your may not be much, but you're all the Lord's got!"

On one occasion in Hawaii, at a regional conference as President Hinckley was speaking (We were part of the choir) he turned to the stake president who was presiding and said, "President what time is this meeting to end?"

The startled mission president replied, "At 12:00 (about 20 minutes hence) but if you would like us to go longer....
"On the contrary, I think we would all benefit from an early dismissal to enjoy some of this fine Hawaiian sunshine, and since I believe I'm the highest ranking person here - I say, let's close this meeting right now" This brought thunderous applause!

Respect and Love for a Spouse

Sister Cottle and I were back stage at the Pacific Theater at the PCC (as part of a choir to sing for the 40th Anniversary of the PCC) when a big black Lincoln pulled up to the staging area (Remember in Hawaii everything can be outdoors), and the special guests, the Hinckley’s, had arrived. President Hinckley got out first and waved his cane about greeting everyone standing around backstage. The chauffeur moved around the other side to help Sister Hinckley out, but President Hinckley waved him aside and said, “This is my job.” Whereby he opened the door and offered his hand to Sister Hinckley and with tender loving care, escorted her to the box of honor to watch the program. For the student performers watching this unfold it was a sermon on love and courtesy - by example.

I could go on and on – but better stop here. I hope all of you have some great memories of President Hinckley – if so, write them down and keep them in a special place ready to share with family in later years.

Super Bowl – what can I say – just check out my prediction from last week. By far this was one of the most entertaining games in recent memory.

The Silly riddle answer from last week. Where did Santa go on vacation? The Hilton Ho Ho Ho Hotel. (I liked Kristin’s answer better).

The Silly riddle for this week. What Medicine do snakes hate?