We were saddened today to hear that our beloved prophet has passed away. Not sad for him, because it was his time and he's in a much better place, but for me. I will miss him. I grew to love him over the years. He was such a humble, loving and inspired man. He led our Church in a great and respectable way. His many accomplishments are amazing. I just want to share my personal President Hinckley story.
I was priveledged to meet him during my mission in Uruguay. He came for the reorganization of the mission. The month he came was July-mid-winter in South America and it was cold and rainy. I was serving in the city of Montevideo with a 16 year-old local girl. It was a very difficult time of my mission. The companion I had was not supportive, our ward was not supportive and the city was not kind to us. We were having little success and I was getting sicker by the day. The morning of the mission conference, I decided to get up at 5 am so we could catch an early bus to the church across town. We left our house in the dark and got on the bus. After riding for about an hour through unfamiliar neighborhoods, I asked the bus driver if we were near Carrasco (the neighborhood of the mission home, temple, etc.). He said we were going the opposite direction and had gotten on the wrong bus. He stopped and hailed the correct bus for us. We arrived minutes before the conference began to find the only available seats in the very back row of the culteral hall. I was so upset I wanted to cry. I then saw my Zone Leader pointing at me from accross the room and gesturing for me to go over to him. I did and he said, "Hermana Shirley, did you know you're supposed to direct the music today?" I didn't and was shocked to hear it. I was willing to do it and was escorted to the stand right behind where Pres. Hinckley was going to sit. Then the prophet walked in and everybody stood up and sang "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet". He then walked up and shook my hand and looked straight into my eyes and said hello. I felt his warm spirit and love at that moment. When he got up to speak, he said, "I want to see everyone smile and be happy. You're serving the Lord and are in the best possible place you could be right now." His words were exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. I will never forget it. He did shake my hand and say good-bye and good luck on his way out. I feel it a priveledge to have met such a great man and will truly miss him.
