Passing of a Prophet

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, President Gordon B. Hinkley, passed away on January 27, 2008. As the leader of the church, I believe one of President Hinkley's purposes was to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, to help us to gain a greater understanding of them and help us to have a personal relationship with them.

In August 2005 President Hinkley challenged the members of the church to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. I was going to through a difficult time in my life and was looking for something to help me. I decided to take this challenge and felt that it would help me to get through the difficult times. Many prophets and apostles have promised that as you read the Book of Mormon your life will change in many ways. Peace, an increased desire to do what is right, and a change of heart are among those promises. These are promises I have wanted in my life and more so at that time. I had read the Book of Mormon before, but I hadn't really studied it. As I began my study of the Book of Mormon to meet President Hinkley's challenge I witnessed a change in myself.

The expression of anger was a big problem in my life. When I began really studying the Book of Mormon I began to see a change in my behavior. I began to realize the real power contained in this book. As a result of taking President Hinkley's challenge my life was changed. The Book of Mormon brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and my brother Jesus Christ. I had peace in my life when things weren't peaceful. I was happy when things weren't happy. My anger was changed to love and compassion, when before I would have been quick to anger. By the end of the year and this challenge I was changed, even though my circumstances hadn't changed. Since that year I have read the Book of Mormon every year. When I don't read I notice a difference in the way I feel. I feel that something is missing. The closeness I have felt to my Heavenly Father and Jesus is missing. When I read the Book of Mormon I it gives my Heavenly Father a chance to teach me and comfort me. These things are enhanced as I pray before and after reading. When I have questions, the answers come as I read the Book of Mormon.

There have been many things that President Hinkley taught me and many ways he has helped me to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that he was the prophet in my lifetime. He was an amazing example and I am grateful his legacy will live on through his talks and books and those he influenced. He truly was a man of God. I am grateful for his testimony. I felt the spirit very strongly as he spoke and know his words came from God.