President Hinckley Passing -- My Thoughts at the Time

****I realized that I never published this post for some reason almost 2 years ago. I thought I would go ahead and put it up, even though it has been so long. Did I mention that I loved President Hinckley?****

Originally written February 2008

"I believe he was a true prophet but it didn't hurt that he was a genius, too."
Elder Marlin K. Jensen

I know that there have been many eulogies written for President Hinckley since his death a few weeks ago, but I thought I would write down a few thoughts of my own. I have been surprised at my own emotional response to his passing. I think just about every member of the church sensed what a special prophet and leader he was. He definitely left his mark on the church, nation and world.

I read the Sherry Dew's biography of President Hinckley about 6 years ago and I don't think I have ever been so thoroughly inspired by a book. In some ways his life was so ordinary, but he humbly transcended his simple roots to be the most important and inspirational leader I have ever personally followed. His good nature and sense of humor allowed him to teach me that life is tough sometimes, but accepting that truth, there is always something positive to be accentuated and to be grateful for. He believed deeply in simple, true principles of living a good life and being a good person.

I felt such a personal connection to him when he spoke. I cannot count how many times I testified to people on my mission that he was a true and living prophet of God.

His teaching style usually avoided the doctrinal nitty-gritty. And yet, he was a master of wrapping the most complex doctrines of the gospel into basic principles of honest living and hard work, two hallmarks of his long and fruitful life. Of course, he was no doctrinal or historical lightweight. In fact, he was a scholar of church and world history. In many ways he literally "wrote the book" on how the modern church sees itself historically.

When he died, I cried as I read some of the online published accounts of his life. Not really because I am sad, although I do feel like I have lost a close personal friend. He left a huge, indelible mark on my spiritual identity that I will cherish forever.

Not Much Response....Probably Because I'm Such a Cruel Human Being

People,

I can tell by the response to my last post that the collective Internet community of bloggers let out a joyful cry when the news came out that I would be updating my blog more frequently. (Sarcasm)

Actually, like I always tell my wife when I think she is being overly sensitive: "Nobody cares!" I'm usually wrong, she reminds me because SHE cares. However, in this case it turns out that I am right because apparently not even she gives a crap about what I am writing here.

As I shared in the title of this post, I probably should not be surprised by my lack of readership. After all, I am one mean son of a gun. As I type, both of my children are screaming out in emotional agony from their bedrooms, just begging their Mommy or Daddy to come in an snuggle them to sleep. Actually, Max is crying, "I want Daddy!" right now. A few years ago, that little trick worked really well on me, but I have become so hardened and emotionally calloused to the screaming and crying that I am just going to continue to type without so much as batting an eye. I do love them however.

Anyway, whoever is reading this, try to look past the crusty exterior. I am a nice person on the inside...really, I promise.

A New Era Begins...

People,

I am letting you all know that I have turned over a new leaf and reset the clock. In other words, I am starting out fresh. My blogging reliability has been suspect but here is my pledge: You can expect more frequent posts from me on my blog. Note that for the record, I didn't promise any sort of depth or substance to those posts, just higher frequency.

Also, since it seems like this whole Internet thing just isn't "going away" like I thought it would, I have decided to ally myself with the enemy and join Facebook. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! The main reason is I want more friends than my wife. So please help me out and be my friend, if not for friendship's sake, than for the sake of a good old fashioned rivalry between a husband and wife.

Jump on the bandwagon! In a little over a day, I already have almost 50 friends. Help me keep up the pace.

Thanks