From Deseret News archives:
Revered leader left 'footprints in the sands of time'
He listed "only a few" of those footprints that most influenced his own life.
"Gordon B. Hinckley was the great communicator," Elder Tingey said. "He opened the doors to the world's media and defined the church to a worldwide audience."
In his 70 years of involvement in church leadership, President Hinckley pioneered the use of modern technology to tell the church story in unprecedented ways.
The Hinckley era also was one in which missionary work expanded, with more than 400,000 missionaries called during the near-13 years of his presidency — more than 40 percent of the missionaries called over the history of the church, Elder Tingey said.
"Almost one-third of all members today were baptized since President Hinckley became our prophet." That imprint will continue to influence missionary work into the future, he said.
President Hinckley's profound influence on temple-building is perhaps the "most recognizable and eternal" of the prophet-leader's footprints, said Elder Tingey, with some 75 temples built since President Hinckley took the church reins. "Every ordinance performed in these temples becomes a witness to the prophetic foresight and wisdom of President Hinckley to bring temples closer to the people."
The legendary sense of humor with which President Hinckley indelibly marked his tenure came to the fore one day as Elder Tingey was preparing to take an elevator in the Church Administration Building. He held the elevator for a cane-wielding President Hinckley, who was approaching. "Earl, go ahead and take the elevator. I'm taking the stairs," the president said.
In another instance, Elder Tingey recounted, President Hinckley looked over a group of general authorities preparing for a meeting, all dressed in dark suits, white shirts and conservative ties, and proclaimed, "You all look like a bunch of penguins."
He described President Hinckley as "a Renaissance man" with wide interests and many areas of expertise. The Conference Center he conceived of and oversaw has contributed to an increase in musical and theatrical performances, Elder Tingey said.
The growth of church education opportunities are "evidence of his love of education and of students," he said.
Though less obvious to many rank and file church members, the administrative changes President Hinckley implemented, including the increased number of Quorums of Seventy with enhanced leadership capacity, has been a boon as church membership surges.
"Perhaps the most personal and long-remembered footprint of President Hinckley may be his love of people," Elder Tingey said, addressing himself personally to the deceased prophet. "Thank you for letting us know that you loved us. We are better because of you."
Elder Tingey expressed thanks to the extended Hinckley family for "sharing your father and grandfather with us."
E-mail: tvanleer@desnews.com
