Mourners pay respects, show love for President Hinckley

Katelyn Yvonne Van Steun, age 9 1/2, created a white cardstock tribute in which she penned a message of condolence: "I'm sorry, I'm sure you feel really sad but we will all be with (him) later because familys can be together forever! Love, Katelyn."

The pencil drawing on a separate sheet inside reflected her remembrance of President Hinckley at the Conference Center pulpit, with flowers adorning the front and his name across the top: "Presedent Gordan Hinckly" with the words from his lips, "We need to lisin to God!"

Kaipo Rokobuludrau wore a bright flower in her hair and a smile on her face as she and her three children approached the entrance. "I've been privileged to meet President Hinckley three times in my life, and this is the one opportunity for me to bring my children."

She had met him twice as a student at BYU-Hawaii, and again at the dedication of the LDS temple in Fiji. "I think it's important for my children to see him for the first time and to say goodbye."

Shaila, 6, Charity, 8, and Atu, 10, all affirmed that they already knew what he looks like, but they wanted to see him in person.

Mary Nevers of Provo brought four small children and was looking for her husband in the crowd. "We just really wanted to come. It's a ways away, and we didn't know how many people would be here, but it will be a memorable experience for our kids."

She said President Hinckley's personal testimony of gospel principles and of God's reality "and his desire to do what Heavenly Father wanted him to do" were inspiring.

Chad Stock and Kristian Workinger from Provo were checking their backpacks near one entrance after taking a break between classes at the BYU Salt Lake Center nearby.

"He's our prophet," Stock said. "I've never been real close to him, so I thought it would be something unique and special to come. He's the only prophet I really remember."

Workinger remembered listening to President Hinckley's last address to students at Brigham Young University's Marriott Center last fall, and the recent picture of the president he acquired to display on his wall.

Bryce Larsen, 16, of Pleasant Grove, was in suit and tie. His mother, Melody, said her son's autism causes a hyper-focus on specific things — and those things for Bryce involve President Hinckley, whom he called "my prophet."

A few years ago at a BYU devotional, as President Hinckley left the Marriott Center, Bryce was in a group of children gathered at the exit to greet him, and when he returned the greeting, it stuck that the prophet had talked with him.