Funeral Of Pres. Hinckley

Tomorrow, February third, was supposed to be the dedication of the 125th temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Rexburg, but it was postponed a week due to the funeral services of our wonderful prophet. I wasn't able to travel to the conference center in Salt Lake to be there personally, but I was able to watch the funeral services on BYU TV. As I was watching the service I thought of how Pres. Hinckley had pioneered the use of media in the church. It was because of him that I (and thousands of others) could still watch the broadcast even though I wasn't there. Even in death, his legacy still lives on. Pres. Hinckley was also the first prophet not have a funeral in the tabernacle. Instead, his was in the conference center that he had built. It was a beautiful service, so I thought I'd share my "cliff" notes on what the speakers said.

The first speaker was his daughter Virginia Pearce. She spoke lovingly of her father and repeatedly thanked all the people for their love and prayers. She shared the heritage of her family, and that it was at one BYU devotional that her father pointed out that he was in the middle of 7 generations, all here because of the faith of those who had gone before and those who followed would look to the example left by him and his children.

Bishop David Burton then spoke, naming some of Pres. Hinckley's many accomplishments. He told the story of how Brigham Young said that the most beautiful thing to come out of the mountains in Utah was the granite of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Pres. Hinckley told the bishop to have the conference center built of that granite. When the Bishop Burton came back later to tell him how hard it would be to get that much granite, the first presidency told him the Lord would find a way and to do it. It was done.

Early C. Tingey then spoke of the "Gordon B. Hinckley" era, and how one third of all the members today were baptized while he was prophet. He also said that on behalf of Pres. Hinckley, he would like to thank all the members for the footprints they would be leaving on the sands of time.

Boyd K. Packer spoke lovingly of Sis. Hinckley and the beautiful relationship that the couple had together. He also spoke of the humility that the entire family had regarding the attention they all received and how it hadn't affected them. He also shared some wonderful memories.

Elder Eyring then spoke poetically and with emotion in his voice, "We each feel that something has been taken from our hearts..." He recounted his love for Pres. Hinckley as he spoke about him. He then bore strong testimony of the gospel. He shared Pres. Hinckley's optimism, and how he always said in a kind voice that "It'll work out."

Lastly, President Monson spoke. As always, he shared several stories. Back in the 60's Pres. Hinckley showed up with paper clips on his shirt sleeves instead of cufflinks. Pres. Monson asked what happened, and he replied he'd been in such a hurry he'd forgot them. Pres. Monson, prepared as a good scout should be, shared the extra set of cufflinks in his pocket. They also shared the same doctor for many years, and during one visit, the doctor had a request for Pres. Monson. "Please, the cane is a prescription for Pres. Hinckley to help stable him as he walks so he will not fall down. He is always waving it at people and not using it when he walks, please tell him that his doctor said it is a prescription and to use it right!" President Monson looked at him and said, "I'm his counselor. You're his doctor. YOU tell him!" He also spoke of how Pres. Hinckley was a giant among men.

Several times there was mention of the Rexburg Temple, and how Pres. Hinckley wanted to be there for it so badly. He had said a while ago how he hoped to be alive when the 100th temple was dedicated.

There was so much more than I can even write about or begin to express. The tributes were beautiful, and the Mormon Tabernacle put into song the words of the poem that he wrote and sang it. Every person who spoke was very eloquent and loving in their memories, they each also shared powerful testimonies of the church and of our Heavenly Father and Savior. The funeral continued to the Salt Lake City cemetery where he was buried with just family and the quorum of the fourteen there. About 10 years ago Pres. Hinckley had collected dirt from Lancaster, England. It was placed in the grave where he was buried so that not only was he buried in the US, but also with his beloved Great Britain. I know that although we miss him and our hearts will ached with memories for a while, he lives again with our Father in Heaven and those who have gone before.