Said Plainly by Brian and Beautifully by Anna

Brian dressed in his shepherd costume last December for the "Back to Bethlehem" dinner at church. (4 years and 7 months old in the picture)



I didn't learn about President Hinckley passing away, until last Monday morning. I immediately burst into tears and called Mike at work to share the news with him. When I got off of the phone, Brian asked me with concern, "Who died, Mommy?" (I probably should have been more cognisant of the fact that Brian was in the room when I made my teary call to Mike) I quickly composed myself, and told him softly that President Hinckley had died, but that he was in Heaven, and everything was okay.



When my older boys arrived home from school that afternoon I told them quietly, "Everything is okay, and I will explain what this will mean in a minute but, I just wanted you to know that President Hinckley passed away last night..." Before I could finish, Brian cut me off and said, "...And he died, but he's in Heaven now." Thank you, sweet Brian.




I know that President Hinckley's passing is on all of our minds, especially after the funeral yesterday. I wanted to share with you a poem that my friend Anna Molgard wrote immediately upon hearing that our sweet prophet had died.

Here is a copy of the e-mail she sent:

Hello Friends,

I wrote the attached poem on Sunday night after a family member called us here in North Carolina to let us know of President Hinckley’s passing. I emailed it to my immediate family that night. I got an email this evening from an old friend from our ward in Logan where we lived 12 years ago who had received it from her sister. I was dumbfounded and a bit bewildered, but I guess the internet is a crazy thing. I thought you may enjoy it since you actually know me and can appreciate the sentiment. I’m so grateful for the influence President Hinckley has been on my life as the prophet during my entire marriage, my motherhood and most of my adult life.

Lots of love,
Anna

Here is a copy of the poem Anna wrote:

Prophetic Passing

I imagine he’s running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother
While they keep repeating his name.

I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service
That only such noble men share.

I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, “Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance, I welcome
My noble, most excellent son.”

I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception’s just fine,
But he hopes that he’ll get an assignment or two
Since there’s no need to waste any time.

I hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward – there’s work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way.

Anna M. Molgard
January 27, 2008

Thank you so much for that poem, Anna. I feel such emotion and peace when I read it.