By Kedrik Hamblin
A holy reverence prevailed on Temple Square Saturday morning as thousands gathered at the Conference Center to remember the life and legacy of President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Faces were filled with smiles and tears as many were both sad at the loss yet happy to have known such a great man. Hymns echoed across the square while people walked toward the funeral in quiet contemplation.
As President Hinckley”s casket was rolled in, lines of Hinckley children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren followed. The casket was placed in the center, directly in front of the podium made from the oak tree President Hinckley had planted. As the apostles took their seats, Presidents Monson and Eyring left one seat empty in between them, the seat of their beloved friend and prophet.
After the introduction and prayer, President Monson read a letter from President George W. Bush, in which President Bush said President Hinckley had demonstrated the heart and wisdom of a leader and called him “a dear friend.”
Virginia H. Pearce, a daughter of President Hinckley, spoke of the Hinckley”s history in the church and of her father”s stalwart character.
“He knew heartache and faced challenges that would test the faith of the strongest saint, but he never wavered in devotion to the Lord and His church,” Pearce said.
Bishop H. David Burton and Elder Earl C. Tingey both commented on the great accomplishments of President Hinckley. They focused on temples, the Conference Center and the establishment of the Perpetual Education Fund. Bishop Burton called these accomplishments miracles.
Bishop Burton also pointed out how President Hinckley spoke to the youth and how they loved him.
“He has been ”their” prophet for most of ”their” lives,” Bishop Burton said. “He was ”their” hero… Because of him, they know what it means to ”stand a little taller,” ”do your best,” ”raise the bar,” and what the ”six Bs” are: Be grateful, Be smart, Be clean, Be true, Be humble, Be prayerful.”
Elder Boyd K. Packer briefly told the audience of some of President Hinckley”s work in the church. He gave credit to President Hinckley”s wife for much of the prophet”s growth and said she was patient with a man who was always on the go. Elder Packer also described succession in the Presidency and explained that President Hinckley never sought assignments, but also never shied away from them.
Focusing on President Hinckley”s optimism and faith, President Eyring said that he had remembered President Hinckley”s voice in the last few days. He”d heard that voice during many problems facing the church and President Hinckley would always remark, “Oh, things will work out.”
“Things did work out,” President Eyring said. “He is with Marjorie again, the girl of his dreams. They will be companions forever in glory and in a family.”
President Eyring counseled that if we were able to tell President Hinckley of our grief he would still respond that things would work out. Continuing, President Eyring praised President Hinckley”s constant work and effort. President Hinckley promised the Lord that he would do his best.
“President Hinckley”s best may be so much more than we can offer the Master,” President Eyring said. “But all God asks of us is that we give our best.”
With his light heart as always, President Thomas S. Monson addressed the audience and acknowledged his love for and longtime friendship with President Hinckley. He called President Hinckley “a giant” among men.
Then President Monson proceeded as he often does – by telling stories. A doctor, at one time, asked President Monson to get President Hinckley to use his cane so that he wouldn”t get hurt.
“Doctor, I am President Hinckley”s counselor,” President Monson said. “You are his doctor. You tell him.”
Later in his address, President Monson said that Heavenly Father has provided for us “a man for all seasons,” quoting Sir Thomas More. He became serious as he expressed love for the prophet and President Hinckley”s example.
“He was our prophet, seer and revelator,” President Monson said. “He was an island of calm in a sea of storm. He was as a lighthouse to the lost mariner. He was your friend and my friend.”
President Monson also spoke of President Hinckley”s deep love for his wife and expressed his joy in the reunion they now have. He encouraged the family”s children to remember that President Hinckley still lives and is on a mission to others who wait for his testimony. He closed by offering a goodbye for everyone.
“On behalf of each one of us, my brothers and sisters, I offer our final farewell to our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley: Gordon, God be with you till we meet again,” President Monson said in conclusion.
As the prayer finished and casket was moved out, members began waving. Some waved empty hands and others waved white handkerchiefs, silently saying goodbye to the prophet.
Following the funeral services, a long police escorted caravan drove slowly up to the Salt Lake Cemetery. People stood on sidewalks and street corners, waving handkerchiefs as the long, black hearse passed.
Family and general authorities of the church stood is beautiful sunlight around the grave. President Monson told how 10 years before, President Hinckley had been given a box of soil from Lancashire, England where the Preston Temple is. The soil was placed in the grave and Monson said that President Hinckley had been buried on American soil as well as English soil.
After the dedication of the grave, a solo bagpiper solemnly played for several minutes. When the music finished the general authorities were excused and family was left to say goodbye.
