Praise to Another Man: Gordon B. Hinckley 1910-2008
Praise to the prophet
who built many temples
praise him in memory, remembered in joy
Humor gracing his eyes with a twinkle
cynical newsmen their snarling destroyed.
Filled with the laughter of nearly 10 decades
He was my prophet, my life he blessed.
God’s kindness give comfort to those who will grieve now
while you with your Marjorie eternally rest.
An inarguably dreadful poem, written in a few seconds between phone calls to extended family, but sincerely meant. God speed, President Hinckley.
Amen Janet. Not terrible at all, but sweet and brings him instantly to mind.
Comment by Jo — January 27, 2008 @ 9:55 pm
Until we meet again…
Comment by Teresa — January 27, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
Amen.
Comment by Becky Campbell — January 27, 2008 @ 10:04 pm
Yes, thank you Janet. I was on the phone with my mom when she heard the news and told me. We hung up, and I first went to talk to my hubby — but he’s in bed preparing for another week of early residency hours. So then I turned to the Internet. I’m sure they’ll be thousands of pages, articles, and news info tomorrow. But there isn’t much available tonight. I’m happy for President Hinckley to be with his wife again, but still I’ve been shedding tears. Transitions like these have a way of bringing emotions and memories to the surface. And I’m so very grateful for President Hinckley, his life, service, and example.
Comment by Ella-ann — January 27, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
i♥president hinckley. he’s got to be the happiest person right now! what a sweet reunion. would that all of us could have that kind of legacy to return with!
Comment by Blue — January 27, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
This is when being a recently moved out-of-Utah Mormon is tough — I want more information and we’re all crashing the internet trying to get it.
Thanks for the poem, it brings memories to mind that we all cherish.
I must say, I love the organization of our church. There’s no wondering or wandering — we will press forward as strong as ever, we will recover from our grief after we have properly mourned and we will stay true and faithful.
Comment by Natalie — January 27, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
Right on, blue. I’m sad for us (what a sweet man he was!) but so happy for him. Ever since his wife died I’ve sort of pined for him to be with her again, they seemed so very much in love.
Comment by Janet — January 27, 2008 @ 10:30 pm
i say that even as the tears spill over. am feeling happysad right now. happy for him. sad because he has meant a great deal to me personally. i love that man! and his passing means that one of my secret fantasies, of actually meeting him, won’t ever happen in my life now. his great granddaughter is a good friend of my daughters, and i’ve gotten to know her mom. i kindasortafantasizeda about maybepossiblysomehowily being with them sometime when he might be there…like at the piano recital (our girls take from the same teacher) or grandparents day at school. but i didn’t want to be tacky either, so i never said anything. it’s tacky enough that i even thought it!
he’s up there with Joseph Smith in terms of impact on my life. ♥
Comment by Blue — January 27, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
Yup. And Yup. I’m so happy for him.
Comment by sare — January 27, 2008 @ 11:00 pm
I think it is a beautiful poem. What a lovely thought.
I feel the same, happysad. He meant a lot to me, too. It seems so strange that my children will never remember him. To them he will become just another name on the list of prophets. I hope I can teach them about what a great man he was. I will miss him terribly.
But I am so happy that he is with his wife again. He seemed so sad when she died. I am gald that they are happy together again.
Goodbye, we will miss you, President Hinkley.
Comment by Sarah S. — January 27, 2008 @ 11:02 pm
[…] Janet of Feminist Mormon Housewives gives a poetic tribute. […]
Pingback by Noli Irritare Leones » Blog Archive » Gordon Hinckley, RIP — January 27, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
Thank you Janet, I really feel so sad tonight. I don’t quite know how to qualify the emotions, It isn’t as though I knew him personally, and yet the love I felt for him feels real, the presence he’s been in my life has been strong. I will miss him.
Comment by fMhLisa — January 27, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
When I heard the news, I was surprised at my reaction. For years I predicted me taking to my bed with sadness, but instead I could just smile a sad smile and think, “Thank you for your service, President Hinckley.” I love that man so much, he’s been my prophet since I was 17 years old. I’m so grateful I could grow up under his leadership.
Comment by reese — January 28, 2008 @ 12:40 am
Even though I’m not LDS, I had a lot of respect for President Hinkley.
Comment by Adrienne — January 28, 2008 @ 12:53 am
Lovely thoughts Janet and a great picture choice!
He will be missed
Comment by Rebecca — January 28, 2008 @ 1:54 am
like the poem might suggest it for relief sociey this week i think!!
sad and glad day loved his humour and his kindness and gentleness
debrauk
Comment by debrauk — January 28, 2008 @ 3:09 am
I always appreciated his encouragement to try a little harder, to be a little better. I know that the world has different definitions of feminism, but mine boasts equality and pushing yourself to your potential. I love that he always expressed profound respect for the women around him. He expected a lot of us, and in turn gave us the confidence to be exceptional.
Comment by boysmom — January 28, 2008 @ 9:20 am
One of the sweetest experiences of my life was listening to Pres. Hinckley speak at the General Relief Society Meeting in October 2003. Earlier that year I had lost my mother and father in the space of four months and was struggling with my own grief and sense of overwhelming loss.
Toward the end of Pres. Hinckley’s remarks he said the following about his dear wife Marjorie:
For 66 years we have walked together, hand in hand, with love and encouragement, with appreciation and respect. It cannot be very long before one of us will step through the veil. I hope the other will follow soon. I just would not know how to get along without her, even on the other side, and I would hope that she would not know how to get along without me.
I realized what a blessing it was for my parents to be together, even though I miss their earthly companionship. They truly did need each other just as much on the other side as they did here on earth.
Although I am sad to see him go, I am so happy for President Hinckley!
Comment by patti — January 28, 2008 @ 10:17 am
Oh Janet.
Somehow, I missed the news last night and again this morning, so this was my first exposure to the news. Thank you. President Hinckley is the only Prophet I’ve known in my short post-conversion life and I can’t quite imagine another engendering the type of affection that I felt for this elderly man who I had never met.
Comment by McMommy — January 28, 2008 @ 10:47 am
Two memories:
When I was in the Mission Home (1972) he was chairman of the Missionary Committee and came to speak to us. He looked at us and was silent for a few moments, then said “You’re not much to look at, but you’re all the Lord has.” It was a gentle reminder not to take ourselves too seriously, but to take the work very seriously.
I was a tired mother of 5 children under the age of 10 and my husband and I both had significant church responsibilities. Pres. Hinckley was then 3rd counselor to an ill Pres. Kimball, whose counselors were also aged and very ill. He was essentially working alone in the presidency. He spoke of taking a few moments the evening before to listen to a Mozart violin concerto, and how it had renewed him. I have survived many difficult seasons in my life since then by letting beautiful music renew me. Pres. Hinckley then said “Sometimes I feel like my desk is the garbage can of the church.” I have thought often how much we take for granted the ability to pass difficult problems one level higher, but that ultimately it stops. How important it is, then, to each do our parts wells, seeking inspiration, so as not to add to the burdens of our leaders, and how we must sustain then with our prayers.
Comment by Anna — January 28, 2008 @ 11:00 am
[…] at his life of service, a collection of his quotes. FMH has a short tribute as well as one of my favorite photos of President […]
Pingback by Johnsenclan » Blog Archive » links 1/28/08 — January 28, 2008 @ 11:06 am
From the heart, it can’t be terrible, Janet. Thanks for sharing this. We will miss President Hinckley so much!
Comment by Ana — January 28, 2008 @ 11:55 am
I don’t think it’s that bad of a poem. It hit the hight points, anyway!
Thank you. He truly will be missed.
Comment by cheryl — January 28, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
President Hinckley dramatically changed what we think of and expect from our prophets, for the better. He did a wonderful job of bringing the role of our leaders into the modern era. The first time he did an interview on national TV, it was a big deal! (Remember that?) But after a while we got used to it. I am so grateful to have been old enough throughout his presidency to really remember the good he has done. And I will forever treasure the chances I had to meet him and see him in person. I will really really miss him. I am glad, though, that he gets to be with Marjorie again. Their love story is truly inspirational.
Comment by mindy — January 28, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Amen to your poem!
I was lucky enough to have had a personal encounter with him as well as serve with his grandson on my mission. I have some experiences on my website:
www.graceforgrace.com
Comment by aaron — January 28, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
I liked the poem - I hummed it to “Praise to the Man” - works pretty good.
He is the only Prophet I have ever known. Our oldest is serving a mission in Russia - I’ve been thinking about him since we heard the news last night. *sigh*
How did we hear so so quickly in the hinterlands? Youth. The messages were flying all over their cell phones by txt msgs. I love teenagers.
Clearly - I can hardly put two words together - I just know we loved him alot.
Comment by Mary Magdalene — January 28, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
I just love that picture of him. He was always so positive and full of life that it’s hard to believe that he’s gone.
My 18 year old sister reported that youth all over Utah wore their “Sunday best” to school today to honor President Hinckley. They organized the tribute via text message. I was really moved by that.
Comment by Chelsea — January 28, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
[…] Mark. Robin. Edain. Nylan. Wendy. Tanyaross. John F. David G. Seth. Sam. BCC Admin. Russell. Nate. Janet. Jared. Matt B. Guy. Jeff L. Hollywood. David H. Eric. Chloe. Mike P. Belladonna. Joe. Jana. […]
Pingback by Gordon B. Hinckley « Heart Issues for LDS — January 29, 2008 @ 12:25 am
Ah Chelsea, that’s really sweet.
Comment by Janet — January 29, 2008 @ 11:38 am