by Terri Wagner
I apologize to Joyce that I have to post on the eve (it's eve where I am) of her day, but my home computer is down, and I won't be at work tomorrow. It's Fat Tuesday and primary day! I plan to catch moonpies and vote!!! So please forgive my having to post today.
I thought I would just continue with the theme of the posts this week as it is appropriate to take the time to remember President Hinckley, pray for President Monson and rejoice in our wonderful gospel.
Years ago, a book was written about President Hinckley that basically accused him of in the very least being naive and in the very most of being disreputable. I read the book at the insistence of a so-called friend. My mother read it as well. We both were put off by the flavor of the book and the attitude of the authors, but both had this nagging feeling that something was amiss in President Hinckley's approach to the matter. Please don't ask what book, I only vaguely remember it had something to do with documents regarding Joseph Smith.
Those doubts, small though they were, remained and surfaced when he became the prophet. I knew he was the prophet, and I knew it was the work of our Savior, and I just laid my little doubts on the back burner and went about my life.
Without knowing, he laid to rest those silly doubts of mine (and my mother’s as well). Not only did President Hinckley prove to be my (and my mother's) most favorite prophet to date, he showed by example and wit and humor that those words penned by those not of our faith to be nothing but lies. I knew by watching him that he was a man of great integrity that I could trust. I mean after all if the Lord trusted him to be his prophet, so certainly could I.
The Lord not only chose a marvelous work and wonder to be his prophet at this particular time (as He always does), but He also chose to address my insignificant doubts through His prophet, giving me a richer and more powerful testimony of prophets in general and President Hinckley in particular.
I for one will miss him greatly and happily sustain and support President Monson.
What a lovely testimony, Terri! My mother often reminded me I can live my life in such a way that I can prove or disprove what others might think about me. Pres. Hinckley never asked us to do anything he wasn't willing to do himself. He sacrificed so much in order to be all the things he asked us to be. We are so blessed.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend that said something about President Hinckley not standing up to something she thought he should when he was in the first presidency with President Benson. I didn't know much about him because I had been less active in my youth. Then after I truly studied and came to know of the truthfulness of the gospel during President Benson's stewardship, I felt President Benson was MY prophet. When he died, there was a hole in my heart for him.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where my mind was when President Hunter was the prophet. I think it was one of my baby years (being sick and pregnant and out of it). So when President Hinckley became the prophet, I remember turning the TV on and watching the beginning of a documentary. They showed a black and white clip of a man coming into the tabernacle and up to the pulpit. I felt that strong sweet witness that this was MY prophet. I thought, "It's a documentary on President Benson." I was so excited. Then the camera zoomed in, and the narrator said something about Gordon B. Hinckley being set apart as a new apostle. I knew he was the new prophet of God, MY prophet. I think what I experienced at that time was much like what the people did when they saw the mantle go upon Brigham Young after Joseph died. The small doubt that was sewn by my friend was forgotten because of the witness of the Holy Ghost. I'm so thankful for it. How we will miss that sweet, dear prophet!