This week, the beloved leader of our church, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away at the age of 97 years old. He was an amazing man, husband and father and grandfather. He missed his dear wife who'd passed a away before he did. The one thing that made me smile through my tears when hearing of his passing, was realizing that he would be reunited with his sweet bride once again.
Yes, you read that right. In my church we truly believe in spending eternity with our spouses and families. Families are forever after all.
His words lifted my heart many times over through the years. He had a way of making people who were hopeless become hope filled again. He had a sense of humor that was even more endearing in his advanced years.
Yes, you read that right. In my church we truly believe in spending eternity with our spouses and families. Families are forever after all.
His words lifted my heart many times over through the years. He had a way of making people who were hopeless become hope filled again. He had a sense of humor that was even more endearing in his advanced years.
A while ago he had surgery for cancer, he was told that he must use a cane. He was obedient and carried that cane for the rest of his days. He never actually used it though... Or perhaps he did! I remember with fondness his sense of humor after President Erying was called to be one of his counselors at our last world wide conference. He pretended to use his cane to "knight" him after he'd been sustained by the members. We all laughed at his humor and so did his counselor. That photo is a cherished memory. So he did use his cane in a memorable way.
President Hinkley is being honored in Time magazine. I do pray they get their facts correct. Here is a link to a website that is now my home page. You'll be able to read the factual words about his life and things he was able to accomplish.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/080131quotes.html
In recent years he published a book called, "Standing for Something". It was a smaller book, but filled to the brim with things that crossed all boundaries of religion, race and culture. It was a best seller. I think that most people do want to be hopeful and positive and good. He represented all of those things and more. He really loved all of Heavenly Father's children and he made you realize just how much Heavenly Father loves all mankind. He was a deeply spiritual man and inspired millions.
President Hinkley is being honored in Time magazine. I do pray they get their facts correct. Here is a link to a website that is now my home page. You'll be able to read the factual words about his life and things he was able to accomplish.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/080131quotes.html
In recent years he published a book called, "Standing for Something". It was a smaller book, but filled to the brim with things that crossed all boundaries of religion, race and culture. It was a best seller. I think that most people do want to be hopeful and positive and good. He represented all of those things and more. He really loved all of Heavenly Father's children and he made you realize just how much Heavenly Father loves all mankind. He was a deeply spiritual man and inspired millions.
Eventually we gave up our search after attending every church in our small town-- seeking answers and not finding them. Later after our journey was over we found these seventeen points of God's church as found in the Bible. You'll see why it was so difficult for us to find that church...
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1. Christ organized the Church. Eph. 4:11-14
2. The true church must bear the name of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:23
3. The true church must have a foundation of Apostles and Prophets. Eph 2: 19-20
4. The true church must have the same organization as Christ's Church Eph 4:11-14
5. The true church must claim divine authority Heb. 5:4-10
6. The true church must have no paid ministry Isa 45:13 1Peter 5:2
7. The true church must baptize by immersion Matt 3:13-16
8. The true church must bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands Acts8:14-17
9. The true church must practice divine healing Mark 3:14-15
10.1 The true church must teach that God and Jesus Christ are separate and distinct individuals. John 17:11 and John 20:17
11. The true church must teach that God and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bone. Luke 24:36-39 and Acts 1:9-11
12. The officers must be called by God. Heb 5:4 Exodus 28:1, Exodus 40:13-16
13. The true church must claim revelation from God. Amos 3:7
14. The true church must be a missionary church. Matt 28:19-20
15. The true church must be a restored church. Acts 3:19-20
16. The true church must practice baptism for the dead. 1 Cor. 15-18 and 29
17. By their fruits ye shall know them. Matt 7:20
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Although I believe that all churches have portions of the above list, they do not have the fullness of the Gospel. After we were introduced to our church years later, we found that the LDS church does in fact have each of the above 17 points. Our search was over when the missionaries came to our door. I have now been a member for nearly 30 years and have no regrets.
By his fruits we knew Gordon B. Hinkley. He was our Prophet and President of our church for 12 years. He was tireless in his devotion to the members of our church and to the world.
In a talk he gave back in 1997 he spoke of his interview with Larry King, he said. "In the course of the show Mr. King asked me point-blank, “What is your role? You’re the leader of a major religion. What’s your role?”
"I replied: “My role is to declare doctrine. My role is to stand as an example before the people. My role is to be a voice in defense of the truth. My role is to stand as a conservator of those values which are important in our civilization and our society. My role is to lead.”
He did all of the above and more. He will be missed, but as he would have wished we look forward to the future and having a new church leader to guide us and direct us in his role as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
***
Although I believe that all churches have portions of the above list, they do not have the fullness of the Gospel. After we were introduced to our church years later, we found that the LDS church does in fact have each of the above 17 points. Our search was over when the missionaries came to our door. I have now been a member for nearly 30 years and have no regrets.
By his fruits we knew Gordon B. Hinkley. He was our Prophet and President of our church for 12 years. He was tireless in his devotion to the members of our church and to the world.
In a talk he gave back in 1997 he spoke of his interview with Larry King, he said. "In the course of the show Mr. King asked me point-blank, “What is your role? You’re the leader of a major religion. What’s your role?”
"I replied: “My role is to declare doctrine. My role is to stand as an example before the people. My role is to be a voice in defense of the truth. My role is to stand as a conservator of those values which are important in our civilization and our society. My role is to lead.”
He did all of the above and more. He will be missed, but as he would have wished we look forward to the future and having a new church leader to guide us and direct us in his role as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After hearing about so many churches in the world going leaderless; congregations sometimes without pastors for several years. It is a comfort to me to know that with the passing of our beloved leader, another equally righteous man will soon take his place.
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