Observations©

By Donald S. Conkey

Date: February 7, 2008 - # 8806 - Title: Gordon B. Hinckley) (816)

Last Saturday Joan and I were among the several millions, included hundreds here in Cherokee County, who attended in person, via satellite to local chapels or the web the funeral service of Gordon B. Hinckley – in 69 languages. Gordon B. Hinckley was to the local and worldwide Mormon community what the Pope is to the Catholic community – their top spiritual leader. Church members sustained him not only as the president of the church for the past 13 years but as their latter-day prophet seer and revelator, he who communed with God on all matters pertaining to our Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

            As I listened to the glowing eulogies of his life and service to the Church and to his fellow man by family and church leaders I reflected on this man’s life and how it profoundly influenced, for the good, my life during 47 of my 80 years. He died in his 98^th year.

His leadership training began as a missionary to England then continued on his return home. He became a church General Authority in 1958, two years before I converted to the Church, and his remaining years of service, almost 50, influenced me more than any other individual, save the Savior himself.

Many pleasant memories returned as I sat and mourned the loss of a friend, a leader, and a man who powerfully influenced not only me but also my children and grandchildren.

Church membership in 1958 was approximately one million, mostly in Utah, with none here in Cherokee County. Today church membership exceeds 13 million in nearly 170 nations with four strong growing congregations here in Cherokee County.

As Executive Secretary of the church missionary department I felt his influence through the two young missionaries he trained to teach me the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ. He instituted the Church public affairs department; the department I would serve in for 15 years helping bring the church out of obscurity. In 1983 I became personally acquainted with him when he dedicated the Atlanta Temple as a House of the Lord, the facility where faithful church members receive their temple ordinances and are sealed together as eternal families. In 1994 he called and set me apart as a sealer in the Atlanta Temple after which he counseled and taught Joan and me eternal principles. In 1995 following our church mission in eastern Canada he signed our release papers.  He indeed influenced my life.

But he also influenced millions of others as well. His compassion for people regardless of culture, nationality or religious beliefs was legendary. If someone was in need he sent help, often the first on the scene of a natural disaster with food, temporary shelter, and later in helping rebuild the lives of those adversely affected. And his counsel was always uplifting and upbeat. He lead by example as did the Savior, his mentor. He was a builder of men, women and children, of all ages. He established the Perpetual Education Fund to educate thousands of qualified youth in third-world countries. The Church’s semi-annual conferences provide counsel on practical day-to-day living along with counsel on subjects having eternal value. For 13 years his closing conference remarks were always uplifting, encouraging each of us to live His commandments and to improve ourselves through education, service and hard work, and by always following the Savior.

As the funeral concluded I was reminded of the ease with which the Church passes its mantle of leadership. There is no fanfare, no politicking. I have witnessed this process six times. When the Church president dies the First Presidency, the top governing body, dissolves and the surviving members of the presidency resume their place among the twelve according to seniority which is based on date of service, not age/ These apostles then meet under the leadership of the senior apostle and by revelation select the new president.

Since Brigham Young the senior apostle, now Thomas S. Monson, has always been called to be the next president. The new president will then call two counselors, again by revelation, and they will be set apart as the new First Presidency – then sustained by the church membership at conference. During April Conference a new apostle will be called by revelation and become the newest member of the Twelve Apostles. This reminded me of Matthias who was called by revelation anciently to replace Judas to serve under their First Presidency, Peter, James and John.

And the Church will continue to move forward to improve the saints, expand missionary work, and encourage temple work and taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred and people.