Reflections

Message From President Monson Last Sunday....

The Most Unusual Ever

Here in the Southeastern United States, we had Area Stake Conference last Sunday. For those who are not familiar with this, all of the Congregations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and some parts of Alabama, had a Satellite Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City last Sunday (the day President Hinkley passed away).

President Thomas S Monson spoke to us and began his remarks stating that President Hinkley would liked to have been here, but that he "got the call to speak and here he was"

For those who heard this Conference, you know that hearing from President Monson that day, he was completely different than I have EVER heard him. So different, that we spent that afternoon discussing his message and how it was possibly the best we had ever heard him deliver. He shared many personal stories from his life. He was so personable in how and what he shared. It was not his usual recitations of poetry and quotes, in fact, there was absolutely none of that. He just shared story after story about his life and the things he had learned.

One conversation I had that afternoon, we even discussed that perhaps President Monson was saying good bye. It was just an incredibly different style for him. The spirit was so strong as he spoke.

In retrospect, now I know that President Monson was aware of how close President Hinkley was to leaving this earth. The gammut of emotions he must have been feeling at that moment are those I can only begin to imagine.

Now I understand why the message given by President Monson last Sunday was the best ever. He was feeling the weight of the loss of his beloved friend and the burden it would place on him. If you have the opportunity to read or view this message, you will find it very enjoyable.

Did anyone reading this hear that Conference and make the same observations?