This past Monday night, I stopped by Hilary's house to drop off some items for our young women activity last night. Brad was still working so she invited me to stay for dinner and FHE. The lesson she taught was a review of the talks by President Hinckley at our last general conference. It was a perfect way to celebrate his life while at the same time mourning his departure.She started with a review from his talk at the General Priesthood Meeting about being "Slow to anger"
(http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-23,00.html)
In that talk President Hinckley spoke of a a proverb in the Old Testament that states: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).
He also spoke about how anger contributes to divorce or separation.. I found this quote interesting..
“More than half the Americans who might have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversaries since 2000 were divorced, separated or widowed before reaching that milestone” (Sam Roberts, “Most U.S. Marriages Don’t Get to Silver,” Deseret Morning News, Sept. 20, 2007, p. A1).
"Widowhood of course is beyond the control of the parties, but divorce and separation are not."
"I think of my own marriage. My eternal companion passed away three and a half years ago. But we lived together for 67 years. I have no recollection of ever having a quarrel with her. She traveled with me and spoke on every continent, pleading for the exercise of restraint, kindness, and love."I love the way he spoke about his dear wife and can only imagine the joyous reunion they had on Sunday night. I pray that I can equally be as kind and loving - as a wife and one day a mother.
He goes on to say that sometimes...
"Anger may be justified in some circumstances. The scriptures tell us that Jesus drove the moneychangers from the temple, saying, “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). But even this was spoken more as a rebuke than as an outburst of uncontrolled anger."
Hilary also reviewed his talk about the First Vision, the growth of the church, the power of the Book of Mormon and the promise in Moroni to all who read it. I have always been touched by the way President Hinckley bore witness of the Restoration and the the boy Joseph - his mission and vision. His testimony of the Restoration was always so powerful!
"The Bible had stood for centuries. It is a precious and wonderful book. Now there was a second witness declaring the divinity of Christ. The Book of Mormon is the only book ever published, of which I know, that carries in it a promise that one who reads it prayerfully and asks concerning it in prayer will have revealed to him by the power of the Holy Ghost a knowledge that it is true (see Moroni 10:4).
Since its first publication in a rural print shop in Palmyra, New York, there have been more than 133 million copies produced. It has been translated into 105 languages. Not long ago it was named one of the 20 most influential books ever published in North America.
Recently a first edition sold for $105,000. But the cheapest paperback edition is as valuable to the reader who loves its language and message."
She ended with reading President Hinckley's closing remarks - that is when the tears started to flow..
"My beloved brothers and sisters, we now conclude a great conference. We have been edified, uplifted. We have been inspired and lifted to a higher appreciation of this wonderful gospel. The music, the spoken word, and the prayers have all been magnificent.
We now return to our homes. If we are driving, let us be careful. Let no tragedy mar the experience we have enjoyed.
All of the proceedings of this conference will appear in a subsequent issue of the Ensign and Liahona. We encourage you again to read the talks in your family home evenings and discuss them together as families. They are the products of much prayer and meditation and are well worthy of careful consideration.
Now the conference is adjourned for six months. We look forward to seeing you again next April. I’m 97, but I hope I’m going to make it. May the blessings of heaven attend you in the meantime is our humble and sincere prayer in the name of our Redeemer, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. "
When he finished his remarks, I remember thinking that he would not make it to the next conference. I guess it was the Lord's way of preparing and comforting us, as members, that his time was short with us. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to live at the time when this great man served so valiantly as our dear Prophet. I am also grateful I had the opportunity to shake his hand and feel of his sweet spirit face to face. I will never forget that experience.
Thanks to Hilary and her family for allowing me to participate in their Family Home Evening to celebrate the life of our beloved Prophet.
