We were surprised and delighted when we received a Christmas Card from the First Presidency of the Church in December 2007. This picture was on the front of the card. Inside it read: "In remembrance of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we express our heartfelt Christmas greetings at this festive season of the year.
We rejoice in the Savior's loving invitation: 'Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me' (3 Nephi 9:14).
Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. We testify that He lives and that He loves our Heavenly Father's children. It is our sincere prayer that this knowledge will be a source of comfort and peace to one and all and that each of us will seek His invitation to come unto Him.
May the spirit of Christmas, which is the spirit of Christ, bless and sustain each of us.
Sincerely,
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
The First Presidency"
I suppose they sent these beautiful cards to all the missionaries serving worldwide. It is a treasure to us. We were among the last missionaries called by President Hinckley. Now he has passed on (January 27 2008) and we are looking to our new prophet, Thomas S. Monson--- whom we love and respect as well.
Our missionary credentials from President Hinckley state: "This certifies that the bearer, Sister Marilyn Hansen Hansen (and Peter's says Peter Michael Hansen) who is in full faith and fellowship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been duly called and set apart as a missionary of the Church and as such has authority to preach the principles of the gospel.
We invite all people to give heed to her (his) message.
Signed: Gorden B. Hinckley, President
03 December 2007 Salt Lake City, Utah. Expires 03 June 2009."
President Hinckley had been diagnosed with cancer early in 2006 and was not expected to last until the end of the year. The doctor said they did not know how chemo-therapy would work in a 95 year old, as they had not tried it before. President Hinckley said he had three questions. The first was, 'Will I still be able to live on my own?' Yes, the doctor replied. 'Would I still be able to put in a full day's work?' Yes. 'Will I lose my hair?' No. Then he agreed to have chemo- therapy. He said his life belonged to the Lord, and He would take him when He was ready. President Hinckley said he needed to do all he could do to prolong his life, for he had work to do.
The doctors discovered the chemo-therapy was not working in January '08. President Hinckley replied again that his life belonged to the Lord, and that he needed to do all he could do. He received more aggressive chemotherapy the Tuesday before he died. On Wednesday he went to the office and did a full day's work. Thursday morning he did not get out of bed. Sunday afternoon, Presidents Monson, Eyring and Packer came and gave him a blessing. About 7pm President Hinckley passed away peacefully.
Richard Hinckley, President Hinckley's son, said his father had his funeral planned down to the last detail. He planned the speakers, the hymns--everything.
Elder Peter M. Hansen has this to say about President Hinckley,"To Church members and all the world he was genuine, warm, gentle, open, attentive, real, loving, spiritual and caring. He was a hard worker who had vision and purpose. His accomplishments were many. Truly the Church moved forward toward fulfilling it's destiny of preparing a people worthy to greet and stand in the presence of the Lord, Jesus Christ. He was a true servant of God who will be missed. He was a prophet for all seasons."
President Thomas S. Monson: "He was prodigious in his work ethic and was totally dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a friend to one and all and a leader who inspired spirituality. His outreach on an international scale was unprecedented. Like the Master, he devoted his life to doing good, and God was surely with him. His life was a gift to the world."
President Henry B. Eyring: "He had the gift to make people want to do better and to feel that they could. He was pleasant, incisive and clearly inspired. For me, he raised the standard of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, giving all."
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "He unfailingly demonstrated his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness he was at home and abroad. We will miss his wit and his wisdom, his leadership and his love. We echo the voice of the Master, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of thy Lord.' "
Some of the things I cherish about President Hinckley:
The 'Bs'--"BE grateful. BE smart. BE clean. BE true. BE humble. BE prayerful." Nov. 2000
"The head of this Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name each of us have taken upon
ourselves. We are all in this great endeavor together. We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory." April 1995
"This is the season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission...We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm." April 1995
"Gratitude is of the very essence of worship---thanksgiving to the God of Heaven, who has given us all that we have that is good." April 1996
"It is a responsibility divinely laid upon us to bear one another's burdens, to strengthen one another, to encourage one another, to lift one another, to look for the good in one another and to emphasize that good." 1974
"The Lord expects so much of Latter-day Saints now because we are not persecuted...we have peace, and we have the good opinion of many, many people in many, many places. How thankful we ought to be and how ambitious we ought to be to move forward this, the work of the Lord." Nov. 1998
"Faith---the kind of faith that moves one to get on his knees and plead with the Lord and then get on his feet and go to work---is an asset beyond compare." Sept. 1973
"We need to get back to the basics of respect one for another and concern one for another, love and appreciation for one another, working together, worshiping together, and living together as families who love the Lord and look to Him for light and strength and comfort."
June 1995
"I urge you to utilize the temples of the Church." October 2002
" 'I will try to forget myself and go to work. I will try to lose my life in Thy service, but I need help.' That was my day of decision." As a missionary 1933
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I---I took the one less traveled by; And that has made all the difference." Robert Frost poem quoted October 2006
Because of President Hinckley's counsel, I want to 'stand a little taller' and to 'stand for something.'
And, I will say--as President Hinckley was fond of saying--'God be with you till we meet again.'
No comments:
Post a Comment