Liberal Mormon

The semi-annual Latter-day Saint General Conference just ended a few hours ago and I have a lot of thoughts swirling in my noggin. On several occasions, leaders quoted and/or talked about Gordon B. Hinckley my favorite LDS Prophet, MY prophet. About 9 months (May 23rd 2003) after my sweet wife and I were married, I got a call from my mother. Apparently her Aunt Elaine had passed away, yeah THE Aunt Elaine Cannon. She was invited to attend but unfortunately could get there in time for the service. She gave me the Chapel address, and a phone number of her Cousin whom I should make arrangements to meet up with so we could sit together. I met up with her cousin and we made our way passed hundreds of people in a packed stake center in Federal Heights Salt Lake City to sit in the first few rows of the "Family" section. Even though I am a Cannon (my middle name) I had never met anyone in the rows around me or even in the chapel.

I received a startling shocked when I was handed a program and saw that Elder James E. Faust was presiding over the funeral! Not to mention 3 or 4 other apostles mentioned on the program! I quickly and excitedly showed my wife and cousin, we all became excited. We were just a stones throw away from the pulpit. The Apostles showed up, and the other people participating on the program started to fill the upper area near the pulpit. A minute or two before the funeral was scheduled to begin, the side door to the chapel suddenly swung open and 2 secret service looking guys walked in and stood on either side of the chapel door. In walked in President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Monson, Henry B Eyring and several other Apostles. When they were all in we counted nearly the entire Quorum of the 12, plus the WHOLE 1st Presidency sitting in front of us.


I need to explain the feeling when this man, the Prophet Hinckley walked in the door before I move on. As he walked in, the crowd stood up in respect, and a ripple, like an unseen tidal wave ripped through the room. A feeling so strong I'm not sure I've felt it as strong before or since in my life. I began sobbing for joy, my body tingled, and the hairs on my arms and neck stood up straight. When the wave hit me, I turned and looked at my cousin, sitting to my right, and asked "Did you feel that?" Wide eyed, she said "Yea, you did too?"

After all were settled and the funeral began, Gordon B Hinckley stood up and began to speak, smiling, he asked if it was okay for him to take a few minutes to talk even though he wasn't on the program. Everyone chuckled amongst the tears. How could anyone object to the Prophet speaking??? I honestly can't remember what he said during the few minutes he spoke at the funeral. But I will never ever forget the feeling, nor the Spirit present, when he entered, and left the room. He is/was truly a prophet of God, and I am so grateful for the experience I had to even be near such a man.

Here is a post by Co-Admin Nicole about her similar experience with Gordon B. Hinckley