One month later: Remembering President Hinckley

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008 12:12 a.m. MST
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(Editor's Note: Although it has now been a month since the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, we continue to receive tributes from those who loved and honored him as their prophet and leader — especially the youth. Following is one such submission from Scott Joseph Barrow, a 15-year-old teacher in the Midvale, Utah, 4th Ward.)

When I first found out about the prophet's passing, I was at my cousins' house. My cousin was leaving for the MTC that week, so this was his last time he would be with the family before his mission.

(While) we were playing games I received a text message from one of my friends, but I was too caught up in the game that I did not bother to check it. A couple of minutes later my uncle came running up stairs with the phone; someone was telling him the news.

It took a few seconds to finally realize what he was saying, but it hit all of us in the room hard. It was a mixed feeling of confusion, joy, sadness, and wonder. All of the memories and images of President Hinckley in General Conference, on the news, or just dedicating a new temple flashed quickly through my head.

"How will the church move forward without him?" was one of the biggest thoughts that entered my brain. I checked my cell phone to see the message, my hand shaking with shock. The text message read: "President Hinckley just passed away." Once again mixed feelings entered me.

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The next few moments went by very quickly. We could not continue the game. The feeling of the Spirit was too strong to even move. Soon enough everyone in the room was receiving text messages like crazy talking about the news. People were calling relatives, friends, and even inactive neighbors who knew about our faith. My cousin and I had the very same thought; there was a piano in the connected room. We both got up and headed for it; he got there first and started playing hymn number 19, "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet."

I called my family to see if they had heard the news. Even just dialing the phone was difficult for my hands were still shaky. Talking on the phone was even more difficult for even my voice was quaking with shock.

Soon text messages came flying and jumping from cell phone to cell phone, some explaining the news in detail, others explaining our love for our late prophet. I even got one text message from a friend insightfully pointing out the calm feeling of knowing that everything will work out on its own; our church has a unique way of leadership that requires no arguing whatsoever.

The night continued on being full of messages and quiet discussions of everyone's feelings. Late into the night I continued to receive texts saying, "Wear yellow tomorrow in memory of President Hinckley" and "Wear Sunday dress tomorrow to remember our prophet" or "We loved him and how joyful he must be now that he is with his beloved wife."

I decided to wear Sunday dress the next day; I was joined by many of my classmates who sometimes had to explain the reason for this dress to some friends. Some of my other friends also wore yellow. How awesome it was to see the halls filled with teenagers who love their prophet. He is their prophet of whom they "thank God for sending in these latter days."

I know this Church has the fullness of the Gospel, and I know that Gordon B. Hinckley was called of God and fulfilled his calling very well. He will always be "my" prophet. Others my age feel the same way. "The work shall go forth boldly, nobly, and independent . . . until the Great Jehovah shall say 'The work is done.'"

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Recent comments

Amen to everything this young man Scott said. Scott will be a wonderful…

shirley | March 2, 2008 at 7:25 a.m.

i have to say that president Gordon B. Hinkley was a good prophet…

alanui heleta | Feb. 29, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.

To Ruben-On the outsideview of things you are right, you may wonder…

Anonymous | Feb. 27, 2008 at 4:43 p.m.