"We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet"

As I drove to school this morning, I listened to a program paying tribute to the memory of President Hinckley. The program featured several prominent citizens who had known President Hinckley at some personal level and each of them shared their stories and regards. It was a good program and I don't want to sound like I disapprove of any part- everyone spoke at length of the kindness, humility, energy, faith, intelligence and articulate nature President Hinckley possesed among other attributes. However, I have to admit that I was dissatisfied.
President Hinckley certainly embodied all of those good things spoken of him this morning by persons as diverse as leaders of other faiths, presidential candidates, and regular citizens. But he was also something much more: President Hinckley was a prophet of God. The prophet divinely appointed to serve as the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
When it comes right down to it, there are many prophets, “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). What's more we should all take more seriously that knowledge and what it means for each of us and our responsibilities and opportunities for greater righteousness. Moses and Paul among others left us little wiggling room: said Moses when some were accused of prophecying- assuming that to be only Moses' job, "would God that all the Lord's people were prophets..."Numbers 11:29 and Paul's invitation: "I would...rather that ye prophesied"1 Corinthians 14:5.
But to put my dissatisfaction to rest I want to record my personal testimony that President Gordon B Hinckley was a prophet of God. I know this independent of any scholarly examination or technical analysis, but through the sure quiet witness of the Spirit of my Heavenly Father to that inner chamber of my heart where no other is allowed or able to enter. This is that sacred channel of communication that I too infrequently qualify myself for, yet through which I have received the pure truths that have been the foundation of my life's happiness. That "more sure word of prophecy"2 Pet. 1: 19 spoken of by Peter, comes in ways that are deeply personal, revealing knowledge and understanding. By this source of truth I testify, and from that testimony comes joy and gratitude I cannot clearly express in words other than to borrow those of William Fowler:

We thank thee O God for a prophet,
to guide us in these latter days.
We thank thee for sending the gospel,
to lighten our minds with it's rays.
We thank thee for every blessing,
bestowed by thy bounteous hand,
we feel it a pleasure to serve thee,
and love to obey thy command.
-William Fowler, 1830-1865


I found the text below on the church website: www.lds.org

President Thomas S. Monson:

“It was my privilege to know and love President Hinckley long before either of us was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or the First Presidency. Through the years I have sat next to him, have served with him and have learned from him. I am a witness to his prophetic calling.

“President Hinckley was prodigious in his work ethic and was totally dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a friend to one and all and a leader who inspired spirituality. His outreach on an international scale was unprecedented. He was truly a prophet for our time. Like the Master, he devoted his life to doing good, and God was surely with him. His life was a gift to the world.”

President Henry B. Eyring:

“President Hinckley had the gift to make people want to do better and to feel that they could. Last Tuesday I sat in a meeting with him as he considered and then decided matters of great importance, some about individuals and some affecting the entire Church. He was pleasant, incisive, and clearly inspired. For me, he raised the standard of what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, giving all.”

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles express our heartfelt love and admiration for President Gordon B. Hinckley and the singular life of service he lived. He was our prophet, our leader, our brother and our friend. We feel a deep, personal loss at his passing. He unfailingly demonstrated his devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, whose witness he was at home and abroad.

“We will miss his wit and his wisdom, his leadership and his love. However, we cannot but rejoice in his reunion with his beloved Marjorie, with his parents and other family members who have gone before, and with the prophets of God, both ancient and modern, among whose eternal ranks he now stands. As the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles we echo the voice of the Master, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of thy Lord.’ ”