President Hinckley passed away!

Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, Dies at 97
SALT LAKE CITY 27 January 2008

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.

President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.

The Church president died at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from causes incident to age. Members of his family were at his bedside. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley’s funeral within the next few days.


I am still in shock of all this, but it is definitely a bitter sweet situation! I am so sad that he is gone and will no longer be our president, but i think of how happy he must be now reunited with his wife and family in heaven. i know that the next president of the church will be awesome, it's still just hard to comprehend the whole situation. President Hinckley was the prophet i grew up knowing and loving, and i will truly miss him. i remember when the San Diego temple was dedicated many years ago, president Hinckley did the dedication (although he was not the prophet at the time). i was blessed enough to be able to not only go to the dedication, but sit in the sealing room where the dedication actually takes place! i sat on an isle seat, and he walked in the room, down my row to get to the front and he stopped to shake my hand (and others around me) it was such a memorable moment for me. i went home that night and traced my hand in my journal, i was so proud and excited...he was like a celebrity to me! i will miss him deeply and i am so sad he is gone. he always wanted the best for us and care for us. here is a final thought he left for us Sunday morning at our April 2007 general conference:
"God bless you, every one, you faithful Latter-day Saints. May there be peace and love in your homes and faith and prayer to guide you in all that you undertake is my humble prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." -President Gordon B. Hinckley