Deseret News | Cane was tool, not crutch, for Pres. Hinckley

Reader comments
Jerry Johnston: Cane was tool, not crutch, for Pres. Hinckley

Tom Owen | 10:24 a.m. Jan. 31, 2008

Another eloquent lesson by Jerry about our brother and teacher for so many years. We are all better people for following President Hinckley's example. May we all feel "knighted" for having that staff waved our way.

Deb | 10:29 a.m. Jan. 31, 2008

That was amazing, thank you for putting into perspective, yet another great memory of President Hinckley, truly as much of a prophet as any of those you mentioned. I will forever remember his waving his cane as he entered a room.

hbeckett | 10:43 a.m. Jan. 31, 2008

A very wonderful heart felt message for all of us. Thank you

Comments continue below

Mary Shaffer | 12:26 p.m. Jan. 31, 2008

I really enjoyed this article. It summarizes for me the part President had in my life - example, mentor, loved leader.

Ryan K. | 9:26 p.m. Jan. 31, 2008

Excellent article--great insight.

Gemma Godivala, UK | 4:13 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I enjoyed reading this article. When I heard of President Hinckley's passing the image which sprang into my mind was that of him leaving General Conference waving his stick. It is a sight I will miss greatly. I have sent the link for this article to many of my friends.

moap box | 7:20 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

THIS IS NOT NEWSWORTHY

Ben Knowlton | 8:02 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Thanks Jerry, I am a big fan of yours and grateful for your inspired insights week after week. Pres. Hinckley I am sure would be touched by your tribute as I was. Thanks

Linda Thompson, Sac, CA | 9:03 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

What a wonderful article. Thank you so much! We were able to see President Hinckley at the Cultural Celebration prior to our Sacramento Temple Dedication in 2006. There was a large group of our youth sitting on the arena floor, and members in the stands waiting for President Hinckley to come out. When he walked out and raised his cane in the air, the youth went nuts! It was with pure love and affection that he raised his cane, and they knew it at that very moment. I know their testimonies were greatly strengthened that day.I will never forget it.

Anonymous | 9:23 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Excellent article!

Anonymous | 9:37 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

moap box, This is a religion column. Every week Jerry writes about a religious idea. One thing that I like about his column is that he respects all religions, and gives focus to others. If you don't like reading about religion, don't read religious columns. End of story.

swift | 9:39 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Just a few years ago at the Priesthood session of GC, I was able to sit just in front of, and to the left of, the stand. When President Hinckley came walking into the room everyone stood. He promptly raised his cane to acklowledge the congregation and then, while walking past the security guard standing at the steps of the stand facing the congregation, President Hinckley pops the guard lightly on the head with his cane. The audience roared in laughter, President Hinckley smiled and the guard shifted but didn't react. He knew what had happened; he'd just been given a love tap by the Prophet.

K | 9:43 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Moap Box: But you read it, didn't you...and took the time to comment...

Great article...I smile every time I remember president Hickley "knighting" Pres. Eyring. I never took time to notice the look on Pre. Eyring's face. Thank you so much for the insight.

I like the photo even more, now.

The Authority | 9:44 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Well done. Very well done.

BT | 9:42 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

What a thoughtful, insightful tribute! I love the comparison you draw between President Hinckley and ancient prophets. You wrote in such a way that even non-believers will "get it" and understand the way so many of us feel about our Prophet.

Educated Literate | 10:05 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

MOAP BOX?

Ever hear of a HUMAN INTEREST Story?

Fellow | 10:18 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Thanks for the article. Since I left the Y after studying print journalistm, I've never read something so simple and yet so meaningful. Nice job on putting these words together. For those of us who knew Pres. Hinckley, it's amazing to know what you've said is true, even though we might not have noticed it before.

cane fan | 10:51 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

The cane made a loveable man and prophet even more endearing.

Colley | 11:07 a.m. Feb. 1, 2008

President Hinckley went to the doctor and was told that he should carry a cane, so thats what he did, he literaly caried his cain.

DCnTN | 12:48 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

What an excellent piece of writing. I am a bit of a cynic, yet I was moved. It appeals to both the intellect and the spirit.

cyc3 | 1:14 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

This piece reminds me of what I loved about President Hinckley.

He showed us that there is a big difference between being solemn and being stuffy.

He acted like a man that knew that the cause was going to succeed in spite of him, us, or anyone else.

He taught us that the kingdom of God is not a boring, stodgy, middle-class organization, but a bold, forward-thinking, cutting-edge organization that was fitting for the Lordï¿½s name and leadership.

He showed us that it matters that our architecture, music, and art be truly excellent, not just self-satisfied.

Who can forget what he said to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir when he urged them to shift gears: ï¿½How well you have done for so many years. How very well indeed. But ï¿½ what was good enough today will NOT be good enough tomorrow.ï¿½

It was a push to excellence without elitism, or a repudiation or condemnation of past efforts. I felt it, I saw it, I responded to it as best as I could. love him with all my heart.

jake | 1:21 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

To moap box.I feel sorry for you. I cannot imagine living with the kind of poison you have in your hrart. What a sad way to go through life.

Relocated Southerner | 2:37 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I loved this! What a great remembrance of a great man and leader. I will probably always look at someone with a cane and see President Hinckley in my mind's eye. What a marvelous, wonderful man he was! I will miss him and his gentle ways so much!

Mark | 2:38 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

GBH had his cane. SWK had his raspy voice. It is through the human flaw that we often contemplate the divine.

Fred | 2:49 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I loved him because he loved me.

Mike | 2:52 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

In narrating Pres. Hinkley's 95th birthday celebration, Mike Wallace of 60 minutes related that doctors suggested to Pres. Hinkley that he carry a cane for safety reasons and that's just what he did, he carried it and used it for everything but walking. It truly became an icon of his leadership. He was truly loved and will be greatly missed.

ble | 5:06 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Your words brought the first tears to my eyes since I heard of his passing. Thank you.

Dan | 6:01 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

A number of years ago at the April Sunday Conference President Hinckley took Sister Hinckley to where she would be sitting. He turned and talked to the people around him. When he went to leave Sister Hinckley was involved in a discussion with those sitting near her. President Hinckley patiently waited for her to acknowledge him so he could say good-bye and sit down. This didn't happen and he realized he needed to get her attention but couldn't. In a cute way he tapped her on the head with his cane, which did the job she turned to him. With smile on his face he told her good-bye and went to his seat.

I will be at the service . . . | 7:00 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

. . .so I can't participate in the Cane Wave. Someone who will, please give an extra wave to cover for me!

Handicapped | 7:32 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

My comments are not meant to be negative, because I love and appreciate Pres Hinkley and the great example he was for us. But I am saddened about Jerry's reference to the cane as an "emblem of weakness". Being handicapped and confined to a wheelchair, I take issue with the fact that because we are phsyically unable to move around without the assistance of some device, whether it be a cane, a walker or a wheelchair, that we are for some reason less of a person.... we are weak. If you are not handicapped you will never understand the unlining feeling people display towards you.. yes, even good members of the church. You are treated as second class citizens and second class members. It is not a show of weakness that the prophet had to use a cane. It simply meant that he was getting older and needed its assistance. I was very disappointed that the church tried to hide that fact that Pres Faust used a wheelchair. Handicapped devices are not a show of weakness, and from my experience, those who use them are the strong ones. They have to deal with great challenges.

Anonymous | 9:32 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

What a wonderful life!

KB---Oregon | 11:07 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Wonderful article, the cane was his extension ofhis love & affection for the saints.

JC | 11:04 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I loved him because he loved me.He loved everyone and we all KNEW it!! and felt it!! Let's all try to live our lives a little bit better be a little kinder to everyone just as he taught. Our great Prophet will be smiling down on us. Thank you for such a beautiful article, and Thank you President Hinckley for your service to the Lord and his children! We Love you because WE KNOW YOU LOVED US!!

Anonymous | 11:17 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I think it would be so sweet if they put his cane next to Sis. Hinckley's chair in the Gordon B. Hinckley building at BYU.
Annette

How funny is that | 1:34 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

Wow, they even wrote an article about how President Hinckley used his cane! I'm not being cynical or sarcastic, I love Pres. Hinckley but I just find it kind of comical that they wrote about his cane using abilities. But it's a good article, they actually made it into a quality piece of writing and even included scriptures and everything! I wish him the best of luck and I'm so proud of everything he did in this life, and all the great work that he is continuing to do right now.

Bruce | 4:02 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

First a word to moap box. I respectfully and lovingly disagree, yet respect your freedom to say it. President Gordon B. Hinckley was such a beloved and very respected and revered man and President of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. The article is very appropriate with great timing. It personally warmed my heart and brought back sweet memories of seeing him with that cane and at the same time caused me to think about how the Lord uses things of weakness to expound on strengths.

GBH Fan | 4:24 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

Thank you for the article, I enjoyed it immensely.

CB | 3:47 p.m. Feb. 2, 2008

Thank you Jerry, you have become a favorite.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

1 photo

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

President Gordon B. Hinckley uses his cane to "knight" President Henry B. Eyring, new second counselor in the First Presidency, at last October's general conference. President Hinckley passed away on Sunday at the age of 97.