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President Bush mourns Gordon B. Hinckley

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Anonymous | 3:50 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I'm glad other media outlets mentioned President Hinckley's passing. I was surprised I didn't see one mention of it on the Today show this morning.
Relocated Southerner | 3:52 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I don't think it was intended to be disrespectful when he referred to him as "Gordon". Rather, I think it was meant to express a familiarity with him as a friend, as almost all adult friends do when addressing each other, and I'm sure many of the Brethren refer to each other by their first names in private. President Bush is not a member of our Church and, as such, is not as familiar with our terms of respect. When I moved here from the South, I was appalled that members of the local wards and stakes very rarely refer to each other as "Brother and Sister" but most often just use first names. Even the youth here call the adults by their first name, a practice that is almost NEVER done in the South, even outside the Church. So it's a cultural difference, based upon one's position, locale, etc., and I don't see it as anything more or less.
Bonafont | 3:58 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I am a gay man and not an active Mormon. I do not live by most of their standards. but I loved President Hinckley. What an amazing, funny, kind and loving leader. What an example his life has been for seeking to make the world a better and more loving place. He will be missed. People who are not LDS or those who use the faith as a means of justifying bigotry will not understand, but I believe most of the leaders of the LDS church understand the complexity of life and are loving to all humankind. President Hinckley was one such example.
Comments continue below
Ernest T. Bass | 4:01 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
This is the first thing in seven years that Bush has gotten right.
Love | 4:05 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I am greatly sad for the passing of president Hinkley. He was a great prophet of the church. I hope that we will all have this week in peace and remembering the works of President Hinkley
Love | 4:08 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
We love you president Hinkley. Lets all just remember that he is now in a better place, no cane, but jumping around and playing with his wife. That makes me feel better.
ShaLane | 4:08 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
It is good to see that Pres. Bush is aware of and acknowledging President Hinckley's passing. I find it incredable that the greatest man who ever lived has died and the only thing the media can talk about is who the Kennedy's are supporting for the election. It almost makes me sick. I loved President Hinckley for the great man and great leader that he was, and his memory will live on in my heart forever.
charlibrown | 4:09 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Shame on you George. This is hardly the time or place for partisan politics. President Bush is obviously much more gracious than you.

President Hinckley was without question one of the great men to ever live on this earth. His work and service continue today and he is no longer separated from his loving companion.
Jerry | 4:10 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
It is interesting that those who like President Bush, take great pleasure in making statements about how good he is, even though that is inappropriate for the occasion, but when someone makes a negative comment about President Bush, then that is wrong and this is not the time for that kind of comment.
President Hinckley will be missed because he truely followed the Savior's admonition to love all men as equals.
Anonymous | 4:17 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Thank you President Bush for your kind words.
Anonymous | 4:32 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Was he FOR THE IRAQ WAR or AGAINST IT? Did he COME OUT AND TELL BUSH TO GET OUT OF IRAQ? If not then I guess HINKLEY TOO HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS.
David H. Causey | 4:32 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Hinckley is a great leader to our country and has blessed us with more temples so we can more easily go to them. He had a great love for all the people all over the world. I'm thankful for the Temples in the south in Baton Rouge Louisiana and Memphis, TN. President Bush was blessed to know him and all the things he has done in his Life. We are thankful for his Leadership and example. May God Bless his family.
Cheese | 4:34 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Hinkley,

Though you may have died, I know how you have influenced our world. You shall be remembered in our hearts forever, and to me it is not sad for YOU that you died, for you are with your loving wife, and are no longer suffering. While I am a little sad- I remember that your exaple has led millions to the path of god. Lord, take care of Hinkley for me.
Corey | 4:35 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Well done though good and faithful servant. May the Lord bless the memory of our beloved prophet, and be with his family as they mourn their great loss. And may we remember these comments are for President Hinckley, not President Bush
Anonymous | 4:40 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Judging by this board, it appears censorship and alive and well in Utah. Oh and forget about freedom of speech that kind of thing is against the law in this country!
Colorado | 4:35 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I want to thank Pres. Bush for his condolences, and I have always viewed him as an honorable man. President Hinckley, Our Beloved Prophet, will be missed by us all, but we know that he shall receive his great reward for his works here on earth. I loved him while he was still here in our midst and I wait for the day I can see his face along with Our Savior's face. I also want to thank all you who are not LDS and who expressed your love for the Prophet also. It is nice to know he made an impact on all our lives.
Screen Age | 4:37 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Of course there are people who are so negative that they could twist such nice sentiments from President Bush into something bad, but I'm glad to see this. Thanks, Deseret News.
"T" | 4:45 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
This is so gracious of our United States President George Bush acknowledged & respected such a spiritual man as our Prophet, Seer and Revelator Gordon B. Hinkley. President Bush's comments were caring, appropriate and showed his personal friendship for President Hinckley. Our sweet prophet is finally with his sweetheart, where he truly belongs. Just imagine that reunion at 7pm on 1/27/2008...brings such a glorious smile to my face. {:o)
Sue | 4:51 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I loved President Hinckley and will miss him greatly. I had the pleasure of being at BYU when his wife and daughters talked to the sisters at conference and saw how much he loved them. He was a great Prophet.
By the way, I am in Australia and it was announced on my yahoo news account.
GM | 5:03 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Thank you President and Mrs Bush for your heartfelt kindness for the passing of our beloved Prophet. We pray for you in leading this nation.
President Hinckley, how can we ever thank you for all you have done for the world. We will miss your humor, we are so very grateful to have felt of your special spirit and listened to your wise counsel. One day we will all see you again, but until then, we will "Stand a Little Taller" and do the best we can.
Much love
Chad Hays | 5:08 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Hinckley will be missed by millions of people. God be thanked for such a man--a prophet of God--as Gordon B. Hinckley.
BobF | 5:16 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Bush is not worthy to speak President Hinckley's name.
Measure of a Man | 5:27 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
What an example! We should all aspire to be like President Hinckley not judgemental, but full of love.
Gilbert AZ | 5:29 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Thank you President Bush for your comments.
poeticnurse | 5:25 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Anonymous must feel that if things are positive there is something wrong and censorship is in play. Be an optimist. I'm thankful for President Bush and President Hinkley. They are great men for our times.
Robert | 5:35 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
It is such a shame that so many people have chosed to turn this to politics. President Bush did in fact know President Hinkley quite well and talked with him on several occasions. Please have some respect for a man who knew millions and treated each one like he knew them personally. I too am very sad that such a good man (hard to find today) with so much love is no longer with us. Please honor and love the memory of this beloved man and respect his family in their time of sorrow....you would want nothing less...

We will miss President Hinkley very much
Anonymous | 5:35 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Bush met with the leadership of the church several times during his administraton. There is no doubt in my mind that he and President Hinckley were friends. Let partisian politics go. Let us mourn and respect the life of one of the greatest leaders to walk the face of the earth.
Linda | 5:40 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Hinckley did so much to help with humanitarian efforts around the world. He made me and my family want to be better people. Thanks to President and Mrs. Bush for seeing the greatness that all of us as church members saw in him.
Re: Anonymous | 5:45 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Be respectful and keep politics separate from religion. President Hinckley was one of the most inspiring and influential men.

It was not his job to tell President Bush to pull out of Iraq. He was a religious leader; NOT a political leader.
Humptydumpty | 5:46 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Anonymous: I think you need a nap...

President was gracious and kind. He can feel the good spirit of this prophet of the Lord. Thank you GwB.

I love you so much President Hinckley! Such a hero.... A true stripling warrior!!!! YOU WILL BE MISSED!
Travis | 5:55 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I think President Bush's statement is gracious and appropriate. He certainly had help from his speech writers, but that is to be expected - all presidents rely on speech writers. They simply don't have the time to research and write speeches for every occasion. But, just because he had help (as we often do with sympathy cards conveniently bought at the corner grocery store) doesn't diminish the thought behind it. It is a generous gesture that did not have to be extended. Whether you like or dislike President Bush as a politician or as a person is irrelevant. As the leader of our country he wanted to pay tribute to another great leader who has passed on, and send his condolences to those who mourn his loss. I, for one, think it is a noble and grand gesture, and I think it is irresponsible to read too much, or too little, into his statement. I agree that this is certainly not the forum for political bickering. He isn't just playing politics. After all, President Bush has actually spent time with President Hinckley and gotten to know him personally. How many of us can claim that same privilege?
Scott, Vacaville, CA | 5:55 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Mr. Bush, thank you, I know your sincere in your words and yes President Hinckley was and is a great man. As mention above, I am sad and excited at the same time, he is with Sister Hinckley, his beloved wife of many years. We will miss and but his legacy will live for generations to come. I'm looking forward to The Teaching of Gordon B. Hinckley. What great the lessons will be.
Jeremy Roberts | 5:58 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Yet another great reason why I love President Bush!!!
HHB | 6:02 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Hinckley was truly one of the "great and noble ones" ever to have lived on this earth. I have heard and read many comments that refer to the joyous reunion with his sweetheart, but for me, the sweetest reunion of all will be the one with the Savior himself, who President Hinckley so magnificently mirrored and so dutifully served. Picture if you can the majesty of the scene that was - to have the greatest servant of all welcome one of his most faithful desciples back home.

We love you and will miss you President Hinckley, and can only hope to be hear those words you heard last night - "well done thou good and faithful servant, enter in to thy rest".
Elizabeth, CA | 6:03 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Hinckley you will be missed. Thank you for all your years of service and the way you helped in the growing of the church. We love you greatly.
MC | 6:09 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Great remarks from our President. Wish he could attend the funeral.
Grandma C. | 6:18 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
At the end of the day, as we retire to our private quarters, we are just people - regardless of the jobs we hold or the praise we receive from the world during the day. President Bush counseled with our beloved Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley on several occasions during his term in office.
No mention was made on the nightly news of the passing of a prophet. But George and Laura Bush took time to send a heartfelt message. I thank them.
Diane from WA | 6:15 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
With great admiration, respect and love I will remember President Hinckley and all the many avenues he fostered. His example of selfless service to all mankind was inspiring. I especially admired the love and understanding he extended to those not of our faith. He was a great example to me of what a man who truly followed Christ could become. As he spoke one could feel of his honesty and love for our Savior as well as for each of us. What a great loss, yet how wonderful it is for him to be reunited with his sweet Marjorie. Surely he will be missed but never forgotten. May the spirit of peace and comfort reign over all those in the Hinckley family.
I am grateful to President Bush and his wife Laura for taking the time to share their thoughts and send condolances. God bless them.
Till we meet again at Jesus feet....thank you so much President Hinckley.
Marvin_Philippines | 6:23 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
How I wish to have a righteous leader that will lead the Philippines like yours in the United States. Even to a president of a strong nation do recognize and pay tribute to a good man - Gordon B. Hincley. America will stay strong as your leaders do what Bush did. Because I believe that a great nation is great when there is a true prophet serving in that area. Gordon B. Hinckley is a true modern day prophet. You are always be remembered in the hearts and minds of every young Filipinos. Thank You Very Much for the Good Examples that You Have Shown to Us. We Know that you love the Philippines because you are the one who didicated our Temple.
Desiree R | 6:25 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Pres. Hinckley was the type of man whom saw the good in people and He saw that in our Pres. We should be like him in trying to live Christ like lives.
Mark Jacobsen | 6:27 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I have had the pleasure to meet and talk with Pres Hinckley numerous times and every time was a memorable experience. I feel fortunate to have been able to be in his prescence
Grampamurdoc | 6:23 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I am happy that his trials in life are over and that he and his sweetheart can now be together for eternity. My sweetheart and I will miss him greatly. I would like to thank President Bush for his heart warmed comments. I am a convert to the church and do to his teaching is one reason I'm a member.

And to the negative people that posted on this board I would like to say. Would our beloved prophet like the slanderous comment full of untruths like that, I think not. You all should be ashamed. I have known people who of quit the church for such uncaring attitudes. But you won't have to answer to anyone but our Heavenly Father for turning out his children. So maybe you should think of the price before you say such things. You have the right to your opinion, but this isn't the time or the place to do it. This belong to our Prophet and him alone.

In closing I would like to thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of Gordon B Hinckley's leadership. We will all miss you, until we meet again.
Mckenzie-texas | 6:25 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
God bless President Hinckley and his family
Dale Newton | 6:25 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
To Bob F [assuming that's your real name] -
What a stupid comment to make at this time. For once can't you just leave politics out of it? I am 100% convinced that Gordon B. Hinckley is just fine with George Bush speaking his name.
Why such hatred? | 6:32 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I knew that people would again take the opportunity to spit on Pres. Bush, being so full of hatred. If Pres. Hinckley had enough love for Pres. Bush and considered the President a good man with good intentions, what does that say about LDS members full of so much hate? Would Pres. Hinckley want you to try and trust Pres. Bush or continue with your prideful dislike?
12-year-old | 6:36 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
I am only twelve years old, and I feel unoppinionated but most kids my age don't really care that the Prophet has left us, so I thought maybe I should speak up.
President Hinckley was a great man, and he will most definitely be missed. I'm glad to know our president had respect for the leader of our church. Thank you, Mr. President, I've always had alot of respect for you as well as President Hinckley.
Oh yeah, and Amy Bjorge, what you said about that comment wasn't very nice, especially at a time like this.

Phillip Hotchkiss | 6:38 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
President Gordon B. Hinckley is a truly remarkable person!! He has done more for the poor people
of any nation or any religion than any other Prophet before his time. He started the perpetual education fund. The church relief efforts helped more countries/people during his presidency than any other time in Church history.

I love you President Hinckley.

Thank you President Bush for your heart felt comment. You have a tough job and I have supported
you in all you have done. Because I felt you were a man of integrity




Anonymous | 6:43 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
King Noah had no trouble saying compassionate things when Ezra Taft Benson and Howard W Hunter passed away.
NickC | 6:39 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
People, please grow up and stop sullying President Hinckley's name by turning this into a Bush-bash-off.
12-year-old | 6:41 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
BobF, you should be grateful for what President Bush had to say about our Prophet, just think of what it would be like for us if our president really insulted our religion!

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White House photo by Eric Draper

President George W. Bush meets with the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, during his visit to Salt Lake City. Seated clockwise are: Gordon B. Hinckley, President; Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor; James E. Faust, Second Counselor (obscured), and Michael Watson, Executive Secretary.

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