Some Things I've Been Meaning To Mention...

President Gordon B. Hinckley was truly a prophet of God. He was such an incredible leader and a constant example of love, faith, service and optimism. One of my favorite memories of President Hinckley was his sense of humor. I loved watching him play with his cane, "knighting" people, waving, and hitting! I've included a quote about President Hinckley from President Monson that sums up the great man very well.

Thomas S. Monson, whose friendship with President Hinckley dates back more than 45 years—long before either of them was a General Authority—and continues unabated, says: “President Hinckley is a prophet with keen vision, an enormous capacity for work, and abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He combines all of that with a clear, commanding mind and a very tender heart. The Church and indeed the whole world will be blessed by his special qualities of leadership.”

I don't doubt that the church, as well as the world, has been blessed by the leadership of President Hinckley. I know that I personally have been blessed by his example and leadership.




So I'm not sure that I really thought a Mormon could become the President of the USA, and apparently not enough Americans were either! I read an article in the Wall Street Journal where a journalist interviewed a sociology professor Armand Mauss: “I don’t think any of us had any idea of how much anti-Mormon stuff was out there … there is the equivalent of anti-Semitism still out there.” Sateline said that the recent campaign had exposed “a surprisingly virulent strain of anti-Mormonism that had been largely hidden from the general public.”

Having lived in Utah my whole life I wasn't aware of all the ani-Mormon influence there is. I was really amazed at how well Mitt Romney handled his campaign. On Super Tuesday Kylan and I were glued to the TV watching as the results from the various states came in and each time a state came in with Huckabee 1st and Romney right behind him I would think, "I wish I lived in West Virginia so I could show people that Mormons aren't weird!" I've always loved living in Utah, but this campaign has really made me wonder if we shouldn't spread our influence out a little more throughout the country?

I loved the example Mitt Romeny set as a member of the LDS church and the attention he brought to the church. I think one of the best effects of his campaign is the way the church has responded to inform people that are ignorant about our beliefs and practices. Elders Ballard and Cook of the Quorum of the 12 oversee the Church's public affairs and have made a big push to get active online both officially as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and as individual members. In a commencement address at BYU-Hawaii Elder Ballard encouraged members of the church to start discussions online through blogs, YouTube, MySpace, etc.

I think it is so amazing that the Church is able to communicate to people of all ages and beliefs all over the world. I hope that this initiative will help change some of the misperceptions people have about members of the Church and for this reason, I am so glad that Mitt Romney ran for President. Watch out 2012!