Nick and I were shocked at the news that President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away this past Sunday. Selfishly, I was sad because I wanted to hear him speak again; I couldn't imagine a General Conference without him.
And then I rejoiced. President Hinckley is now with his beloved wife, Marjorie Pay, who passed away over three and a half years ago. They had been married 67 years at the time. Nick and I were still living in Wymount, one month away from the birth of Jacob. I remember watching the funeral on tv, and crying at the sight of President Hinckley breaking down in tears. Their son, Clark Hinckley, read a letter that President Hinckley penned his wife after almost 60 years of marriage. It stated, "When in some future day the hand of death gently touches one or the other of us, there will be tears, yes. But there will also be a quiet and certain assurance of reunion and eternal companionship."
I am so happy that these two great lovers, and exemplars of charity, the true love of Christ, are together again. I can think of no greater reward after a lifetime of work then greeting my Savior with my husband at my side. I am so grateful for the principle of eternal marriage, and that my marriage to my amazing spouse, Nick, is forever.
I can think of no greater way to remember President Hinckley than to recount his testimony. He wrote the hymn, My Redeemer Lives. Here are the lyrics:
I know that my Redeemer lives,
Triumphant Savior, Son of God,
Victorious over pain and death,
My King, my Leader, and my Lord.
*
He lives, my one sure rock of faith,
The one bright hope of men on earth,
The beacon to a better way,
The light beyond the veil of death.
*
Oh, give me thy sweet Spirit still,
The peace that comes alone from thee,
The faith to walk the lonely road
That leads to thine eternity.
We certainly thank thee, o God, for a prophet.
We certainly thank thee, o God, for a prophet.
