President Gordon Bitner Hinckley

Growing up as a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been an honor and a privilege. From the age of 7 until last night President Hinckley was the prophet of this church and the prophet that I so dearly looked up to. This man gave himself to God. He was completely devoted to his work and ministry on earth and did all he could to help the members grow in the right direction. As I have walked around campus today I have seen a number of students that wore church attire all day relentless of the snow storm and awful wind to honor that great man. The flag flew at half staff today. In each class, we took a couple minutes to remember all the amazing ways that this man touched not only our lives but the entire world's. When I first heard that he had passed away my heart started to race. I wasn't sure how to feel. I will miss him dearly and it will be strange not hearing his talks at conference but he is home. He is with his wife and where he deserves to be. He gave 97 years to this church and did all he could. As I continued to think about him I realized that it wasn't a time for tears. It was a time to celebrate his life. It was obviously his time to go and I am thankful for the many ways his influence helped me in my own life. At each conference I looked forward to his talks and the advice and counsel he had to give. This wasn't just because he was the prophet, seer and revelator of the church but because he had a way of making everything make sense. He inspired many people through his travel and awe-inspiring spirit.

Our President, President George W. Bush said, "he demonstrated the heart of a servant and the wisdom of a leader. He was a tireless worker and a talented communicator who was respected in his community and beloved by his congregation. Laura and I will miss Gordon's friendship and wisdom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his five children and the rest of the Hinckley family."

Mitt Romney running for president said, "we will miss his leadership and his effort to reach out across the world and to faraway lands and to build temples for our church."

Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said of President Hinckley, "I admire none more than Gordon B. Hinckley. His life taught unwavering commitment as its enduring message. He conveyed a grounded, balanced perspective on people and events. His characteristic wisdom and humor caused people to listen, and he communicated with them forthrightly in a way they understood."

Senator Joe Lieberman who is Jewish said his prayers are with the Hinckley family. "President Hinckley was known and beloved throughout the world for his spiritual guidance and good works," said the independently elected Democrat from Connecticut. "His life story was quintessentially an American one - and he tirelessly dedicated his life to building his Church and promoting our nation's ideals of understanding and tolerance."

People around the world are remembering him today.

"Like so many millions of Latter-day Saints around the world, the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley brings profound sadness. I had the privilege of knowing him well and personally for over 22 years. He was among my dearest of friends. Meeting him was a defining moment in my life. His remarkable ability to not only care for the affairs of the entire church but at the same time care for every individual he met is a marvelous example of the kind of love Christ himself has for all of us -- individually. I will miss President Hinckley so much. But, I do realize that while there is mourning here, there is celebration in Heaven. God speed my brother."

- William Sheffield, San Juan Capistrano, former judge of the Superior Court of California

"The Church and the world has lost a prophet of God and a giant of a man."

– John C. Dalton, 64, Yorba Linda, one of the presiding Latter–day Saint Church officers for California

"I'm sad for us here on Earth, but I am so happy for President Hinckley, He is reunited with his wife and other loved ones. He led an amazing, full life, and he has returned to his Heavenly Father with honor."

– Heather Morris, 28, San Clemente

Not only has he touched all these lives in huge ways, he has touched mine day after day. In October of 2007 I was able to attend a devotional on campus where President Hinckley came and spoke to the students and faculty. I had never before seen him in person. I was astounded at his presence and the amazing things he taught me that day. As he spoke, I felt the spirit stronger than I ever have before. I knew in my heart that he truly was God's prophet alive on the earth and he was speaking words that were inspired of God. He talked about the 13th article of faith. It reads, "We believe in being honest, true, chase, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." He spoke about being honest, chaste, benevolent, virtuous and in doing good to all men. As he closed his talk with his testimony I knew that he knew. I could feel the strong spirit that was dwelling in the room with us that day. Another important part of my life is The Family: A Proclamation to the World. This was instituted in 1995 shortly after President Hinckley took his calling as prophet. This incredible document and revelation lays out what families to do to make it successfully through this life. It gives advice, admonition and warning to families around the world. It has already had much special meaning in my life.

I know that President Hinckley was a prophet and that he spoke the words of God. I know that his work was inspired. I believe his words and appreciate the numerous ways his example influenced and changed my life. What a wonderful man he was. He really did change the world. And I know that there are millions of people around the world that would agree with that. I am so glad that he is now reunited with his wife and home where he is supposed to be. May his legacy live on forever as he receives the exaltation and paradise he deserves.