President Hinckley

President Hinckley, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints passed away today. I've been a member of this church for almost exactly 2 years now, and although I have issues with certain teachings and still struggle to accept certain cultural differences, I can say with with 100% truthfulness, I've never heard President Hinckley say anything that I didn't truly believe came from his heart. He was an honest man, and his was a message of love and kindness, and most importantly, a message of acceptance. A few years ago, I was sitting on my friend Heather's (then Collier, now Smith) couch perusing her issue of the church published magazine The Ensign. In it I read a talk written by president Hinckley talking about the importance of reaching out to others, regardless of race, gender, status, religion or sexuality. He emphasized the importance of never intentionally hurting someone who believed or acted differently than you personally might have agreed with. I remember thinking that anyone who would write such beautiful things had to have been divinely inspired. I have since read many things from President Hinckley that strongly condemn any form of hate crime, specifically towards gay people as they are "god's children as well." President Hinckley was also a huge advocate for women getting as much upper level education as they could attain, a cause near and dear to my heart.

I struggle, as I'm sure many do, with belief in spiritual things. My faith is not unshakeable as it is for many and it always has been, perhaps I'm just prone to disbelief. But for me, President Hinckley's teachings always gave the impression that our Father in heaven loves us for who we are, not who we pretend to be. A thought that has helped me get through many bouts of disbelief. Whatever the small qualms I have with our church's doctrine, they pale in comparison to the overwhelming good I feel the church does for members and non-members alike. Even though today we have lost a great leader, and an even better man, I am confident that whatever happens next will be part of the plan laid out for us by our loving Father in heaven.