Many LDS members didn’t recognize one of the songs sung at President Hinckley’s funeral. That’s because the song was actually a poem written by President Hinckley at least 20 years ago and recently put into music by Janice Kapp Perry.
Here's the poem.
"What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
'Tis not the end but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.
"O God, touch thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears,
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.
"There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict'ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One."
LDS composer, Janice Kapp Perry did not write the song specifically for President Gordon B. Hinckley’s funeral. She actually wrote it for her niece who died of cancer. Her niece found the poem to be uplifting and inspiring. When Janice put the poem to music, she never thought it would be used as a touching piece at the Prophet’s funeral.
“It’s the most beautiful accompanying poem that I’ve ever heard,” said Janice.
She has been an accomplished LDS composer for quite sometime now but putting Gordon B. Hinckley’s poem to a song seemed overwhelming at first.
“I just knew how he would have wanted it to go just by thinking it through,” Janice says.
What resulted was a beautiful simple melody that accompanied President Hinckley’s poem about death.
Janice was encouraged to write the Prophet and ask his permission to publish the song. She wrote him a letter but he died soon after she had sent it.
“Mostly I was sad to lose him. But as a secondary thought, I wish that I could have heard from him first,” says Janice.
The next day the letter came.
“I thought, well how can that be? He’s gone,” says Janice.
The letter was written right before the prophet died and in it, he thanked Janice for the music.
Days latter, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang the song at Pres. Hinckley’s funeral.
“This has been an extremely significant experience in my life,” says Janice.
You can get a copy of the music at Janice’s web site by clicking this link.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Elder Richard G. Hinckley shares insights
A friend of mine sent this to me and I wanted to share it. Last Sunday was Fast Sunday and the son of President Hinckley bore his testimony in his home ward. This is what he said after thanking everyone for the notes, calls, food, flowers, and all they had done for their family.
President Hinckley had been diagnosed with cancer early in 2006, and was not expected to last until the end of the year. He and his five children met with Dr. Ward, his cancer doctor, to discuss options. The doctor said they did not know how chemotherapy would work in a 95 year old, as they had not tried it before. President Hinckley said he had three questions, and had them written down on a paper. The first question was "Will I still be able to live on my own?" "Yes", the doctor answered. The second question was "Would I still be able to put in a full day's work?" "Yes", the doctor answered. President Hinckley's final question was "Will I lose my hair?" "No", the doctor answered. President Hinckley then agreed to have chemotherapy. He said his life belonged to the Lord, and He would take him when He was ready. President Hinckley said he needed to do all he could do to prolong his life, for he had work to do.
The doctors discovered the chemotherapy was not working in January (2008). Again, the Hinckley family met with the doctors. At 97 years of age, recommended President Hinckley do nothing. President Hinckley replied again his life belonged to the Lord, and that he needed to do all he could do. He received the more aggressive chemotherapy the Tuesday before he died. On Wednesday, he went to the office and did a full day's work. Thursday morning, he did not get out of bed.
Elder Richard Hinckley was scheduled to go preside over a stake conference in Henderson, Nevada that weekend. Before he left, he talked with his dad, and felt prompted to give him a blessing. He also said he would take his cell phone, and keep it on. Saturday, after meetings, around 4pm, President Packer called and told him he needed to come home. He did, and stayed with his father and other members of his family until his father died.
Sunday afternoon, Presidents Monson, Eyring, and Packer came and gave President Hinckley a blessing. About 7pm, President Hinckley took his last breath, and passed away peacefully.
Elder Hinckley shared some anecdotes about his father. He said one of his dad's favorite pictures was a picture of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with a photo of a singing President Hinckley electronically placed right in the baritone section. He would show it to everyone who came to visit. Elder Hinckley said this photo was something family members would fight over. Thursday night, after their practice, members of the Tabernacle Choir asked for their own private viewing. After, they presented each member of the Hinckley family with that photo.
Elder Hinckley spent a lot of time at the Conference Center during the viewing. One of the ushers shared a moment with him, which he thought was sweet-a small boy came through with his father. he asked his dad "Do you think President Hinckley has met Nephi yet?"
Elder Hinckley said true to form, his father had his funeral planned down to the last detail, leaving no decisions to his children. He planned the speakers, the hymns, everything. He said his father had "every button buttoned, and every knot tied"-as always, prepared.
Some of the things Elder Hinckley said about his father were that "he was reverent, faithful, humble, and true". As a family, the Hinckley's said, "We hope others will turn their hearts to the Savior".
He said a new prophet would be announced tomorrow (Monday Feb 4), around 11am, and, although the Hinckley family had never tried to be in the limelight, they were ready to step back and fade into the background as this new prophet takes his place.
Elder Hinckley said there were many flowers at the funeral, so he brought up two arrangements to our chapel for us to enjoy. One arrangement was from President Hinckley's counselors; the other from the quorum of the seventy. He said they didn't need all of the flowers at home, and that they were going to die anyway, and invited all of us to come up and take a flower after sacrament meeting. Many did so after the meeting.
President Hinckley had been diagnosed with cancer early in 2006, and was not expected to last until the end of the year. He and his five children met with Dr. Ward, his cancer doctor, to discuss options. The doctor said they did not know how chemotherapy would work in a 95 year old, as they had not tried it before. President Hinckley said he had three questions, and had them written down on a paper. The first question was "Will I still be able to live on my own?" "Yes", the doctor answered. The second question was "Would I still be able to put in a full day's work?" "Yes", the doctor answered. President Hinckley's final question was "Will I lose my hair?" "No", the doctor answered. President Hinckley then agreed to have chemotherapy. He said his life belonged to the Lord, and He would take him when He was ready. President Hinckley said he needed to do all he could do to prolong his life, for he had work to do.
The doctors discovered the chemotherapy was not working in January (2008). Again, the Hinckley family met with the doctors. At 97 years of age, recommended President Hinckley do nothing. President Hinckley replied again his life belonged to the Lord, and that he needed to do all he could do. He received the more aggressive chemotherapy the Tuesday before he died. On Wednesday, he went to the office and did a full day's work. Thursday morning, he did not get out of bed.
Elder Richard Hinckley was scheduled to go preside over a stake conference in Henderson, Nevada that weekend. Before he left, he talked with his dad, and felt prompted to give him a blessing. He also said he would take his cell phone, and keep it on. Saturday, after meetings, around 4pm, President Packer called and told him he needed to come home. He did, and stayed with his father and other members of his family until his father died.
Sunday afternoon, Presidents Monson, Eyring, and Packer came and gave President Hinckley a blessing. About 7pm, President Hinckley took his last breath, and passed away peacefully.
Elder Hinckley shared some anecdotes about his father. He said one of his dad's favorite pictures was a picture of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with a photo of a singing President Hinckley electronically placed right in the baritone section. He would show it to everyone who came to visit. Elder Hinckley said this photo was something family members would fight over. Thursday night, after their practice, members of the Tabernacle Choir asked for their own private viewing. After, they presented each member of the Hinckley family with that photo.
Elder Hinckley spent a lot of time at the Conference Center during the viewing. One of the ushers shared a moment with him, which he thought was sweet-a small boy came through with his father. he asked his dad "Do you think President Hinckley has met Nephi yet?"
Elder Hinckley said true to form, his father had his funeral planned down to the last detail, leaving no decisions to his children. He planned the speakers, the hymns, everything. He said his father had "every button buttoned, and every knot tied"-as always, prepared.
Some of the things Elder Hinckley said about his father were that "he was reverent, faithful, humble, and true". As a family, the Hinckley's said, "We hope others will turn their hearts to the Savior".
He said a new prophet would be announced tomorrow (Monday Feb 4), around 11am, and, although the Hinckley family had never tried to be in the limelight, they were ready to step back and fade into the background as this new prophet takes his place.
Elder Hinckley said there were many flowers at the funeral, so he brought up two arrangements to our chapel for us to enjoy. One arrangement was from President Hinckley's counselors; the other from the quorum of the seventy. He said they didn't need all of the flowers at home, and that they were going to die anyway, and invited all of us to come up and take a flower after sacrament meeting. Many did so after the meeting.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Just a kid
Bud's sister Sarah died in a car accident when she was 16. He has her yearbook from high school in our den.
In that yearbook is the senior picture of...well, let's see if you can guess!
Here's another picture in case you need another clue. You'll get it for sure on this one.
Pretty neat, huh? Oh, here's another one that maybe only Utahn's might know...
Any guess? It's a harder one, I know. Here's the answers...
Basketball player and first closeup-
Henry B. Eyring
Second closeup-
Utah Senator Bob Bennett.
Did you know Henry Eyring was 74? I think he looks about 54! He's on my list of favorite apostles. I like them all, but I do have two or three that are favorites.
Monday, February 4, 2008
First Presidency
As expected, Thomas S. Monson has been called as the new president of the church.
Henry B. Eyring is his first counselor, 
Henry B. Eyring is his first counselor, and Dieter F. Uchdorf is his second counselor. 
I thought they did a great job at the press conference, answering all the questions asked of them. I thought I would have a problem embracing Pres. Monson as the new prophet, but I realize it will be all right. Just like President Hinckley always said, "everything will work out."
Saturday, February 2, 2008
President Hinckley's final appearance
Here is a link to show you President Hinckley's final public appearance.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Pictures of a Prophet
I went to the Conference Center this afternoon. The line was long but I've waited in other lines that were longer at times in my life. I saw the prophet's body. He still had his ring on his finger. He was wearing his glasses. He looked peaceful. I was glad I went. I will miss him. Here are some photos I hope you enjoy.
President Hinckley was told he should carry a cane, so he did. He carried it.
It came in handy for waving to the crowd...
and for pointing at things.
Such a different reception from the U.S. President than what Joseph Smith received.
I want to be all that I ought to be because of him.
The great love of his life, Marjorie, his little babushka.
When I grow up, I want to be just like her.
I will miss this great prophet.
But I know he'd rather be with his sweetheart. He was a faithful servant. Well done.
Until we meet again.
President Hinckley was told he should carry a cane, so he did. He carried it.
It came in handy for waving to the crowd...
and for pointing at things.
Such a different reception from the U.S. President than what Joseph Smith received.
I want to be all that I ought to be because of him.
The great love of his life, Marjorie, his little babushka.
When I grow up, I want to be just like her.
I will miss this great prophet.
But I know he'd rather be with his sweetheart. He was a faithful servant. Well done.
Until we meet again.
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