President Gordon B. Hinckley Remembered - He Was A Beloved Prophet To The Mormon People...

The funeral services for Gordon B. Hinckley were broadcast in 39 languages, and to 6000 Church Buildings throughout the world. Every past prophet since Brigham Young, had services held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. This was held in the newer and larger Church Conference Center, in order to accommodate the large crowd that attended these services.

In attendance at the services, among others, was former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Hinckley was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, next to his beloved wife, Marjorie Pay. This took place immediately following the services, which lasted an hour and a half, as expected...

There was a public viewing held in the Church Administration Buildings on Thursday and Friday, prior to funeral services.

The Mormon Leader - President Gordon B. Hinckley, Prophet and world-leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints -- PASSED AWAY SUNDAY JANUARY 27, 2007.... Due to natural causes. He had been the 15Th President of the LDS Church since March of 1995.

It was reported, that many of the members of the Mormon Church, after hearing of the Prophets death, have gathered around the Salt Lake Temple - on Temple Square; to comfort and remember this beloved Prophet of God.

The LDS have a firm belief in the next life, which would be a great strength to many in times such as these. Nonetheless, although the prophet was aged and his death was expected by most, his passing is mourned by many members of the LDS Church.

I imagine, if I were living in the Salt Lake City, area... I too, may have gone to join, those of my faith, in remembering him as well.

Hinckley's life spanned the 20th century, a time marked by LDS global outreach and technological advances. Hie saw his church evolve from a tiny sect in the Intermountain West to a respected religious movement with more than 13 million members worldwide. He embraced each new communication device, from radio to satellite to YouTube, as a chance to spread the Mormon word.

He began his career in the 1930s as a missionary defending the faith on a soapbox in London's Hyde Park and lived to see the country's first viable Mormon candidate for president. Through it all, Hinckley worked tirelessly to gain acceptance for his church on the world's stage.

"We are not a weird people," Hinckley told Mike Wallace in a 1995 "60 Minutes" interview.

With the shrewdness of a politician, Hinckley downplayed the more controversial aspects of LDS history. He welcomed the world to Utah for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, promising everyone they could get a drink here and accepted one of America's highest honors - the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I just received a few phone calls from my adult children... of course -- wanting to know "If I had heard" the news that President Hinckley has passed away. Only minutes before they began to call, I was checking one of my blogs and someone had made a post, asking if anyone had heard yet?

Of course, I immediately went to the lds.org website (updated now) and over to the newsroom; nothing! Wow... I couldn't believe just how fast this information hit the Internet. In fact, it took quite a few minutes to hit the headlines.

When it came up on the Salt Lake Tribune Online... I immediately went to Digg IT... and I couldn't believe the insensitivity of what the person who beat me to the punch had titled his find...

Something like "Cult leader of Mormon Church Dies"! It made me sick to my stomach. I can't imagine President Hinckley's family and how they would feel when they heard this...

I then, went over to You Tube, (LDS Public Affairs You tube link - good) and wanted to get this video I have placed on here... and I was in shock when already there was an awful video of our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley.... which of course was so bad, it made me want to physically get ill. I immediately clicked it off.

I know that unfortunately, there are many who find this news, exciting. And are on the Internet to exploit the story for money. I would ask my fellow Hubbers, to NOT engage in watching or reading anything that comes from that type of source.

I am not saying, don't read or listen unless it is candy coated, but I am asking that you not support smut. As credible writers here on the Hub, I think you most likely know what I am asking. If you want to know more about the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley and his passing away... please go to lds.org or one of the many good sources that are available for credible information.

Although, President Hinckley's experience started out with the Public Affairs department of the LDS Church, many years prior... As a Prophet of God; his audience were the Latter-Day-Saints.

We all loved this moment, as we sat in front of our televisions and saw the light that he radiated as just a kind old man. lol We ALL, fell that much more in love with him. Nothing pompous or arrogant about the man who was a prophet of God. Many of those in the anti-Mormon sect, obviously had a hey-day with this.

What he said - what he didn't say -- Man alive! This was one of those times that TRULY he could not have said the right thing IF THEY had been whispering in his ears -- his answers.

Gordon B. Hinckley, during his leadership as the President and Living prophet of God, moved the work of Temple building in the LDS Church, in ways that the work had not previously been moved...

His legacy in the LDS Church will surely be that which focused on building more temples to bless the membership of the Mormon Church. Gordon B. Hinckley also travel more than any prophet previously. He loved the Mormon people and loved to go out amongst them...

Thomas S. Monson, who previously held the responsibility as first counselor to Gordon B. Hinckley - but who also was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; is the natural successor for the position of President and world leader for the Mormon Church...

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, all over the world, are mourning the loss of our Prophet. I have noted that on most news blogs, LDS blogs... literally everywhere a voice can be heard amongst the members of the Church - it is being sounded!

It is not a surprise, that this type of outpouring would be found with the members of the LDS Church. He has been 'whom' the Lord called, to administer His work, for almost 13 years. I spoke with my two oldest daughters late last night... I could sense their great loss, in losing the only Prophet of the Church, that they have ever tuned their ears and hearts toward; in complete devotion; as the mouthpiece of God.

Those, not members of the Mormon Church; and particularly those who are oppositional to the LDS Church; have a difficult time understanding the role and call - of a Prophet of God in these Latter-Days.

By the critics, it is said that we worship our living prophets. Not so, even in the least. But we do revere and love them dearly; for we sustain them in their call - as The Lord's chosen Servant. This is NOT blind faith, for the LDS people. The testimony that a man has been called of God, can only come by the Power of the Holy Ghost.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, would not be willing to follow a fallible man, if not for a witness, that he was called of God. And the consequences of following his teachings... which are always 'more good' in our lives.

This principle that we believe, that a man must be called of God - is found in that article, which the Prophet Joseph Smith himself penned as:

The Articles of Faith

5. "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach ordinances thereof."

Members of the LDS Church do not take this lightly. We consider ourselves, bright, intelligent, informed and the most opinionated of people... the kind, that would never blindly follow anybody; no matter who they are or what they say -- unless we know them to be called of God, by our own witness of that Call.

In fact, the entire structure of the LDS Church, is administered in the same way. When a member has been invited to serve in a particular capacity; this 'call' is extended under the direction of an inspired Bishop or a Stake President. This would be the local authority in the combinations of wards in a given area. (wards are designated geographically)

LDS Church Members of the same ward, live close by each other. This way, service can be given daily to one another, and care of any kind that is necessary is simply as close as the nearest LDS Members.

After an invitation to an individual has been extended privately, and they accept; it is brought before the congregation. This is where the name and calling of the individual is presented to the members, for a sustaining or no sustained vote, by the show of hands. It is a rarity, that any are ever opposed. We have this opportunity, to choose to sustain our brothers and sisters, in what they have been called to, by inspiration; and we do this outwardly - as a covenant.

It is each member of the Mormon Churchs' privilege, right and obligation, to seek confirmation on all of these calls - from librarian to Prophet.

When dealing with so much human nature in people, this is imperative, that we know these calls come from God. If we did not have these testimonies; the critical nature of each one of us - would refuse to forgive mistakes, learn to love as the Savior loves us, become prideful in thinking that we know better than the Lord -- and never ourselves to see with our own eyes, just how the Lord qualifies whom He Calls.

I cannot tell you of the many miracles in the lives of so many individuals, when although there has been a kick against what was being done or who was doing what.... (at all levels of the church) if remaining faithful to the principles in The Article of Faith, number five - testimonies of God and His Living Prophets have been developed - inspite of the amazing falibility of people!

• The LDS Church is Not For Those Who Consider Their Lives Complete Already... But, It IS For All Those Who Desire To Be Made Whole... And Don't Mind Hanging Out With A Lot Of Folks All Bandaged Up While The Healing Is Taking Place!

I have come to love the Mormon people, as the family that God gave to me, to become more like Him. It is when we stick together with all of our weakness, faults, talents, mistakes, etc... and work these things out together -- this is how, we can become more like Jesus Christ.

This is the mark, of the Covenant people of God.

tDMg

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