The passing of a prophet.

It's amazing how differently news travels now days. My little sister, Whitney was at my house tonight. At around 8:00 she got a text from her friend telling her that President Hinckley had passed away. We had a hard time believing it because it wasn't yet on the news or anywhere on the internet. But, apparently her friends dad is in a stake presidency and all stake presidents were notified shortly after he passed. About 30 minutes later we started seeing Breaking News reports.

I can't believe it had been almost 13 years that he led us as our prophet. For my little sister Whitney, he was the only prophet she had ever known. Even though he was 97, it seemed like he would be there forever humoring us, strengthening us, and most importantly leading us.

I have so many warm memories of this man. One that I will never forget and that confirmed my testimony that he was in fact a prophet of God, happened on my mission. He had come to Snowflake (Arizona) to decide on the spot for the temple that he announced would be built there. He was taken around town by the locals to several different locations. Towards the end of the tour they were standing on the golf course surveying the view from where they stood. It is said that he walked away from the group, looked off to the site of a distant hill and said, in affect (pointing with his famous cane), "that is where the temple should be built." They never questioned his decision nor tried to show him any other places. They knew he was a prophet, and the construction started shortly thereafter. Fast-forward a year or so (I don't know the exact timeline) when I was serving in Snowflake... the temple was almost complete and they were getting ready for the open house. A geologist was doing some testing on the earth in the area. He tested the ground in all the surrounding areas of Snowflake and towns nearby. He later told the leaders of the church there that their temple was being built on the only spot of land in the entire area made of pure rock. Everything else in that area was primarily very sandy soil. That was powerful and so beautifully scriptural as well...sing with me, "the wise man built his house upon a rock...the wise man built his house upon a rock." Okay, you can tell I have a 3-year-old, but you get my point.

President Hinckley, we will miss you. Thank you for all the good you have done. My hand simply can't type all that I feel. May you have a happy and sweet reunion with your dear Marjorie. God be with you til we meet again.