I view it as a great privilege that I've had the chance to live during the administration of Gordon B. Hinckley. As the tributes have been filling the airwaves in recent days I've thought a lot about the past twelve years and what has happened in the Church and in my life. I owe a lot to President Hinckley. He was the prophet during some of my most formative years. He became the prophet the year I graduated from high school. His signature graces my mission call and it was partially through his instrumentality that I was able to spend a semester in Israel studying at one of the most remarkable buildings in Jerusalem. Most importantly, he presided over the Church when I was promised, along with my wife, all the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Someone once suggested to President Hinckley that he ought to slow down, enjoy life, take it easy. His reply was this:
"I would enjoy sitting in a rocker, swallowing prescriptions, and listening to soft music, and contemplating the universe, but that offers no challenge and makes no contribution,"
And what a great contribution he did make. I hope someday I might be able to look back on my life and say that I have, in some small measure, followed the example of President Hinckley and made the lives of those around me a little bit better.
That's really cool Mibs. I'm so glad you were able to have those experiences. You'll have to tell us more when we come.
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