paying respect

this morning before work i was able to go to pres hinckley's viewing. they had a special "before hours" viewing for church employees and their families. it was nice because the lines were short and we all go in and out pretty quick.

the viewing was at the conference center in the hall of the prophets. i just thought to myself how appropriate it was for that to be chosen as the location for the public viewing. first of all, to be able to walk through the conference center, knowing that pres hinckley was responsible for such a magnificent building, was a nice beginning. and then, walking into the hall of the prophets, it was such an amazing experience, knowing that all of the men represented in that room are now together on the other side pushing the work forward there. for any of you who have been there, the hall looks out on the temple. it is such an amazing tribute to the work that each of them have done and for the blessings we can enjoy as a result.

after leaving the conference center to rush to work, i was struck with a bit of sadness, realizing that we will never again get to hear one of his amazing conference talks. in my institute class, which is the teachings of the living prophets, we are reading conference talks from each of the presidents of the church to see the continuity from beginning to end. we looked at 4 of pres hinckley's talks this week, and it was amazing to see the things that he taught. it was always the basics, but those are the things that are most easily set aside from day to day. the message was always pure and simple. i think that the best tribute we can give is to actually strive to follow the words that he spoke and lived.