Book two in my series of biography reading. For now, it just makes sense to keep going with the prophets of the LDS church, though I do want to branch out and read other biographies. I got the CDs from my library, and when I went to load them onto iTunes I discovered I had the abridged version of the book. Abridged!!! I was upset, but I knew they library didn't have the full book on audio and I didn't want to wait another week to get it started by requesting it via inter-library loan, so I proceeded. When I listened to Pres. Monson's biography, I loved all the little tidbits of history included in his story. I was afraid of being disappointed by Pres. Hinckley's book with only the most significant events touched upon, but I wasn't. Gordon B. Hinckley was my prophet, at least the prophet of my youth. I remember the day President Hunter died; I was in 8th grade and it was announced over the loud speaker in my junior high (chalk one up to 'things that would only happen in Utah county'). I was sitting in my natural sciences class. I remember the press conference a week later with Pres. Hinckley, Pres. Monson, and Pres. Faust. Pres. Hinckley conducted the temple dedication session I attended when I was 16 at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. He was always the voice of comfort and guidance through my teen and young adult years. I remember exactly where I was when news of his death reached me four years ago--I was about 5 months pregnant with my third child and I was reading in my bathtub. I remember it was late in the evening when the phone began ringing. Derek came into the bathroom to tell me President Hinckley had passed away. I felt as if the air had been knocked out of me, and I mourned the loss of my leader. I loved listening to the stories in Dew's book because I had many memories of the events described in the later years. More than once, tears swelled in my eyes because the Spirit spoke to my heart in testimony that this man was the Lord's prophet on the earth during those many years, and the work he did in service to his God and the members of the church was truly great. What Pres. Hinckley did with temples over the earth was truly a blessing to all members of the church.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was born and raised in this beautiful gospel as has my ancestry for several generations. I love the Gospel of Peace and our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness for His children.
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