Leader was 'hero' to LDS young people

President Gordon B. Hinckley left a legacy filled with temples, kindness and a constant desire to reach out to the community, said Presiding Bishop H. David Burton at President Hinckley's funeral Saturday.

When Bishop Burton found out about President Hinckley's death, he said he cried tears of sadness and then tears of joy at the news — an experience he says was likely shared by other members of the LDS Church.

"I suspect many of you stepped foot on that same emotional roller coaster," Bishop Burton said.

Young people in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were especially attached to President Hinckley, Bishop Burton said. President Hinckley was "their hero," he said, and the youths of the church received many poignant lessons from him, such as the "six Bs," to be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble and be prayerful. President Hinckley also encouraged youth to "stand a little taller, do your best and raise the bar," Bishop Burton said.

He thanked the youths of the church for their example in honoring President Hinckley. "You have led the way in honoring and eulogizing our dear prophet," he said.

Bishop Burton reflected on the legacies of previous church presidents and what they accomplished during their presidencies. There are so many significant things that President Hinckley did, Bishop Burton said, that, "perhaps time will help sort them out for each of us."

Bishop Burton talked about one of the last meetings President Hinckley conducted, a meeting for the board of directors for the Perpetual Education Fund. When the status of the fund was reviewed, President Hinckley said it was "remarkable" and a "miracle." President Hinckley was about miracles, Bishop Burton said.

"(President Hinckley) knew that breaking the cycle of poverty in developing countries was critically important to full participation in the gospel of Jesus Christ and its attendant blessings," Bishop Burton said. "Generations yet to come will be blessed by this legacy."

President Hinckley took the church from having 47 temples to 125, including the Rexburg, Idaho, temple, which will soon be dedicated, Bishop Burton said.

"A miracle? I think so," he said. "Prophets are about miracles."

The Conference Center was built as a result of President's Hinckley's vision, to his specific requests, Bishop Burton said. When obstacles in obtaining the granite for the center seemed insurmountable, President Hinckley said a way would be provided, "if we were prayerful and persistent."

"In short, we were and we did," Bishop Burton said. "Long live this legacy as a memorial to his vision."

President Hinckley shared his belief in God all over the world, Bishop Burton said, quoting the lyrics to "My Redeemer Lives," which were written by President Hinckley.

"Brothers and sisters, may we all follow his often-given counsel to 'do and be the best we can' and 'stand a little taller,'" Bishop Burton said. "May God comfort, bless and keep each of you until you meet him again."

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