We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet pt.1

I spent some time before my mission sitting in a rocking chair in my parents' home reading the biography of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I read eagerly about the similarities I felt in our lives. Some events of our lives were so similar and the biography candidly portrayed an imperfect person in President Hinckley, something that I drew a lot of strength from. I, myself am, and especially at that time, was imperfect, to say the least. His mission experience struck me, where no significant detail was given to his success in baptizing numbers of people, but the struggles he had and the ultimate resolution he found in finally losing himself and simply working in faith. That was the work he had to do in order to do the work God needed him to do. I found my mission experience to be such work, as well.

The similarities are comforting. More importantly, I think, I can look more at the man, his character, and his words and draw an example for myself. President Hinckley was not a Prophet who was more than a man. He was humble, friendly, enthusiastic, and humorous. I think the latter qualities stem from humility, which stems from the lessons learned on his mission. Of all the things I have learned from him is that there is always room to grow, everything will end up fine, and you can't have too many friends.