Gordon B Hinckley

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1910 - 2008

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.
President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.


'I come to you with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we try to “accentuate the positive.” I am asking that we look a little deeper for good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.' -Gordon B Hinckley


'We are here for a purpose. We shall live after we die, and all of it is a part of eternity, and the key to everlasting life is the Atonement wrought by the Savior.' -Gordon B Hinckley


'Each of us can do a little better than we have been doing. We can be a little more kind. We can be a little more merciful. We can be a little more forgiving. We can put behind us our weaknesses of the past, and go forth with new energy and increased resolution to improve the world about us, in our homes, in our places of employment, in our social activities.' -Gordon B Hinckley

Testimony of Jesus Christ

'And so it is with other elements of this miraculous thing which we call the Restoration of the ancient gospel, the ancient priesthood, and the ancient Church.
This testimony is now, as it has always been, a declaration, a straightforward assertion of truth as we know it. Simple and powerful is the statement of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon concerning the Lord, who stands at the head of this work:
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--
"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22­24).

'It is in this spirit that I add my own witness. Our Eternal Father lives. He stands as the great God of the universe, ruling in majesty and power. And yet He is my Father, to whom I may go in prayer with the assurance that He will hear, listen, and answer.
Jesus is the Christ, His immortal Son, who under His Father's direction was the Creator of the earth. He was the great Jehovah of the Old Testament, who condescended to come into the world as the Messiah, who gave His life on Calvary's cross in His wondrous Atonement because He loved us. The work in which we are engaged is their work, and we are their servants, who are answerable to them. Of which I testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.'
-Gordon B Hinckley - 168th Annual General Conference, April 1998


'We know not what lies ahead of us. We know not what the coming days will bring. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us.'
-Gordon B Hinckley

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Hearing the news last night that President Hinckley passed away came as a shock. I have not yet shed a tear of sadness, the first thoughts that went through my mind were how happy I was that he was getting to see his wife again. I can only imagine how joyous that reunion was. I thought about my own situation right now and felt like I have a different perspective than I ever used to have. Because he lost his wife a little while ago, I just felt happiness for them being together again. This is how most people I have talked to have been feeling... happy that he is with his sweet wife again.
I then started to think about being with Aaron again and how joyous that reunion will be as well.
President Hinckley has been a source of strength, truth, and love for all of us throughout these years. He has always had such a strong testimony of the gospel and the spirit would testify of the truth of it as you listened to his words. He has always had such a fun sense of humor that brought so much joy to all of us who were blessed to hear his words. I was never able to meet President Hinckley in person, but I saw him speak in person a few times. I sat at the temple dedication of the Houston Temple facing him... sitting only about 10 feet from me. I feel so blessed to have ever been in the same room with him. He has done SO much good throughout the world. He stayed busy doing good for others until the day he left this earth. He is loved and he will be missed. We love you President Hinckley.

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