For days now I have been reflecting on the life of our dear prophet. My heart of full of gratitude for the example he set. He led with humility and unwavering faith in the Savior. His words seemed to come at the perfect time for me--offering comfort, perspective, and always hope.
Two things stand out in my mind and heart as I think of President Nelson.
I will never forget a moment during general conference. Elder Wirthlin was speaking and he began to shake uncontrollably. After a few minutes then Elder Nelson stood up and began to support him. I remember praying for him as tears streamed down my face. President Nelson's support so fully demonstrated the love between two devoted servants and disciples. He literally had his back! Elder Wirthlin was able to finish his talk and then turned and thanked President Nelson.
Both commandments are necessary, for as we bear one another’s burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ.
Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life."
The Great Commandment | Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
October 2007
The next thing that stands out is a talk that President Nelson gave called "Doors of Death." It has brought me comfort many times in my life. Over the years I have shared it with family and friends when they had lost a loved one.
"Irrespective of age, we mourn for those loved and lost. Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of pure love. It is a natural response in complete accord with divine commandment: “Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die” (D&C 42:45).
Moreover, we can’t fully appreciate joyful reunions later without tearful separations now. The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.
Eternal perspective provides peace “which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Doors of Death | Elder Russell M. Nelson
April 1992
Prophets of the Restoration
I have known six prophets since I was baptized into the Church in 1980...
This is for me but read on if you wish.
Born on March 28, 1895, in Salt Lake City, Spencer W. Kimball grew up in Thatcher, Arizona. After completing a mission and marrying Camilla Eyring, he settled in Safford, Arizona, to raise his family and run an insurance business. Years of Church and community leadership preceded his calling as an Apostle in 1943. Overcoming severe health problems, he became Church President on December 30, 1973, at the age of 78. He led the Church with spiritual power and energetic determination during a period of dramatic vitality and growth. His administration produced significant advances in doctrinal understanding, member unity, and gospel expansion worldwide. In the 12 years of his presidency, the number of operating temples doubled, the number of missionaries increased by 50 percent, and the priesthood was extended to all worthy male members. He died in Salt Lake City on November 5, 1985.
Born on August 4, 1899, in Whitney, Idaho, Ezra Taft Benson learned early the principle of hard work on the family farm. He served a mission to Great Britain and after his return was married to his sweetheart, Flora Amussen, in 1926. He received his education in agriculture and went on to hold many important positions within the industry. He was called to be an Apostle after having been president of two stakes. From 1953 to 1961, he served as Secretary of Agriculture in the cabinet of U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower. On November 10, 1985, he became President of the Church. Having a resolute testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon, he emphasized the importance of it in daily scripture study, missionary efforts, and gospel teaching. His love of freedom, home, and family were also evident in his addresses and counsel to Church members. Despite his failing health, the Church continued to grow under his administration, temples were dedicated, and missionary work expanded around the world, particularly in eastern Europe. He died in Salt Lake City on May 30, 1994, at the age of 94.
Born November 14, 1907, in Boise, Idaho, Howard William Hunter had a love for music in his youth. After high school, his band, Hunter’s Croonaders, toured for five months on the SS President Jackson, which gave him the opportunity to see many exotic sites in Asia. Upon his marriage to Clara May Jeffs in 1931, he gave up his music career in favor of a stable family life. President Hunter began to study law and became a successful lawyer in California. Various positions of priesthood leadership helped prepare him for his call to the apostleship in 1959. After 35 years as an Apostle, he became President of the Church on June 5, 1994, at age 86. During his short presidency, he challenged all members of the Church to become temple worthy, prior to a decade of increased temple building, and invited members who had become offended to come back to the Church. He traveled as often as his health would permit, dedicating two temples and commemorating the 150th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. He died March 3, 1995, in Salt Lake City.
I know I probably shouldn't have favorites but I really loved President Hinckley. He was my prophet.
Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church
Born in Salt Lake City on June 23, 1910, Gordon B. Hinckley was prepared from his youth to be a prophet. After graduating from the University of Utah, he was called to serve a mission to Great Britain. After he returned, he embarked on a lifetime of service for the Church. He was employed as the executive secretary of the Church Radio, Publicity, and Literature committee before he was called to be an Apostle in 1961. He was later called to serve as a counselor to President Kimball, President Benson, and President Hunter. After becoming Church President on March 12, 1995, he directed the most intense temple-building program in the history of the Church in an effort to extend temple blessings to more members. He exhibited vitality and energy as he traveled about the world meeting and speaking to members of the Church. Through television interviews and national press publications, he increased media attention and improved the public image of the Church. He counseled Church members to fellowship new converts, befriend members of other faiths, live exemplary lives, and avoid the evils of the world.Thomas S. Monson, 16th President of the Church
Thomas S. Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 21, 1927. He served in the United States Navy near the close of World War II. In 1950, at age 22, he was called as bishop of the 67th Ward in Salt Lake City. Five years later he was called as a counselor in the presidency of the Temple View Stake. From 1959 to 1962, he served as president of the Church’s Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Shortly after his return from Canada, at the age of 36, he was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 4, 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1985 to 2008, serving with President Ezra Taft Benson, President Howard W. Hunter, and President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Thomas S. Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 21, 1927. He served in the United States Navy near the close of World War II. In 1950, at age 22, he was called as bishop of the 67th Ward in Salt Lake City. Five years later he was called as a counselor in the presidency of the Temple View Stake. From 1959 to 1962, he served as president of the Church’s Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Shortly after his return from Canada, at the age of 36, he was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 4, 1963. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1985 to 2008, serving with President Ezra Taft Benson, President Howard W. Hunter, and President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Russell M. Nelson, 17th President of the Church
Born September 9, 1924, President Nelson is the son of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. He and his wife, the former Dantzel White, have 10 children, 57 grandchildren, and over 100 great-grandchildren. Dantzel passed away in February 2005. In April 2006, President Nelson married Wendy L. Watson.
An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, President Nelson received his BA and MD degrees from the University of Utah (1945, 1947). He is a member of honorary scholastic societies Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. He served his residency in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded his PhD degree in 1954. He also received honorary degrees of doctor of science from Brigham Young University in 1970, doctor of medical science from Utah State University in 1989, and doctor of humane letters from Snow College in 1994.
Dallin H. Oaks will become the 18th President of the Church in the coming days. I will sustain and pray for him, and will try to heed his counsel.
Elder Oaks has been an officer or member of the board of many business, educational, and charitable organizations. He is the author or co-author of many books and articles on religious and legal subjects. In May 2013, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty awarded him the Canterbury Medal for “courage in the defense of religious liberty.”
I love these words from, yes, my favorite prophet, President Hinckley:
“We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” | Elder Gordon B. Hinckley
October 1973
