Prophet's funeral full of 'highs and lows, laughing and crying'

The Richard and Kimberley Bracey family, including daughters Ashley, Jessica, Brianna and Natalee, came to the funeral from their home in Alpine.

Richard said the family recently moved to Utah from Virginia and was happy to get tickets. "President Hinckley was always our favorite. We wanted to honor him by being here."

Ashlee, 16, recalled that "President Hinckley challenged our family to read the Book of Mormon in six months. It was a great experience. He told us always to look for the sunlight."

Ian Haar, Centerville, parked his wheelchair at the back of the lower tier of the Conference Center. "We got up at 6 a.m. to come and were able to get tickets right away. I never met President Hinckley, but he is just a great man."

His father, Jim Haar, remembered President Hinckley as "a man of great love." He remembered a talk given by the prophet in 1976 on honesty, which left a lasting impression. "I always admired him. We really knew that he was a kind man and what we needed as church members."

Barbara Smith, general Relief Society president from 1974 to 1984, remembers serving under presidents dating back to President David O. McKay. "I learned so much from each of them. They made differences in the lives of so many. President Hinckley was just wonderful anytime we asked him to do anything for the Relief Society."

Jacque Vradenburg, 18, a West Jordan High School senior, said President Hinckley "touched me in many ways. He did so much good in the world. I felt I needed to pay my respects by coming to the funeral. He is the only prophet I've known."

Albert C. Jones, Murray, thought the funeral was a "heartfelt tribute conducted by members of the church. It was public but done by the church. I never met (President Hinckley) but was very touched by some of the testimonials. He had a sense of humanity and was a gospel man who reached out to all of the world. I wish I'd had the chance to meet him and chat with him."

Jared Stoddard, Highland, said that "being a member of the church, I felt obligated to be here. He guided and directed my life. He helped me to become what I am."

Madeleine Smith, 9, Murray, was with her parents, LaMont and Caroline Smith, and other family members. She said she will remember "how he made people laugh." Her sister, Danielle, 18, "loved the fact that he was not afraid to be around people. I got a text message right after he died and told my family to turn on the TV."

Veona Teo, formerly of Samoa, said the service was "Lovely. Quite an occasion. President Hinckley was quite a man and leaves a great legacy. It was worth standing in the cold at 5:30 to 6 a.m. to get tickets."