Deseret News | Cane and handkerchief salutes planned for President Hinckley procession

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Cane and handkerchief salutes planned for President Hinckley procession

futbol_btfl | 2:50 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

great idea!!!

Jamie | 2:47 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

It has been wonderful of President Hinckley's family to be so open and as mentioned in this article to "share" their father with us for so long. We appreciate the chance to get to pay our respects and show our love for him. My prayer is that no protestors will show up on Saturday and that if any do the faithful LDS will choose to ignore them completely as that is the biggest insult to the protestors. We love President Hinckley and will miss his wonderful spirit for years to come. When I learned of his death my first feeling was sadness followed quickly by the thought that he is again reunited with his one true love. Thank you President Hinckley for many years of heavenly counsel.

Anonymous | 2:54 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I like the handkerchief idea, but the cane idea seems a little weird.

Comments continue below

Jeff | 2:55 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

OK, this tribute is a little bit over the top. President Hinckley would not approve.

Anonymous | 3:07 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

How old is this woman? Sounds like she's a teenager. Nice idea, but she should think a little longer before she speaks. Saying that watching the funeral on TV isn't a way to say good-bye is kind of a slap in the face to all those--thousands and possibly millions--who will. It's like those people who say that you just can't really have a testimony of Christ without visiting Jerusalem. I'll be in front of my TV tomorrow because that's my way to say good-bye. There is nothing less important about that.

Jake | 3:28 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Great idea,GO FOR IT.!!!!

uncannygunman | 3:46 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

"Imagine 10,000 people wielding canes and white handkerchiefs on the sidewalks lining South Temple downtown, raising them in salute at a passing hearse."

Sorry, but all I can imagine is 10,000 angry Mormons with canes going after the Westboro Baptist wackos! (And frankly, it's not an unpleasant thought.)

Anonymous | 3:47 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

As will those who will be in the overflow at the Tabernacle and Assembly Hall. Maybe for her personally watching at home and on TV is not a way to say goodbye. I would hope that she was not generalizing to everyone that will be watching on TV.

I'm all for it | 3:51 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

You know, if you don't like an idea, you can at least be nice about saying so. I mean, we're talking about a tribute to a man who was the epitome of diplomacy, niceness and Christianity.

Though I cannot attend the funeral (I have to work), I have a cane to lend to anyone who is willing to pick it up in Murray (and bring it back) tomorrow.

Email me at jameswhofheins@yahoo.com
James Hofheins

A Christian Mormon | 4:05 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I thought the 'white handkerchief thing' was only for a certain spcific occasion? I don't remember it being used at another of the past Church presidents'/prophets' funeral, etc.

Rob | 4:49 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

To "A Christian Mormon" (whatever that means. As far as I know ALL Mormons are Christians):

The "specific occasion" you refer to does make use of white handkerchiefs, but that doesn't mean a white handkerchief couldn't be used for any other occation. President Hinckley, in fact, has used a white handkerchief to wave to large congregations.

OK, but... | 5:07 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

... just make sure the canes are a tribute to Pres. Hinckley, not used to show displeasure with our good friends from Westboro and others. The natural man in me and I'm sure, many other people, might forget President Hinckley's last Priesthood session talk about controlling anger. And my other fear is that the Westboro people will scream to the world about encountering all these Mormons on the streets of SLC, brandishing canes like madmen. So for both reasons, and others, there must be NO INCIDENTS. Ignore the Westboro people and other hecklers.

bishop Rojas | 5:24 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

a great tribute for a great man of god.

Anonymous | 5:31 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I say we all pay tribute to a great man in which ever pay we feel appropriate. I would also like to thank the baptist for coming to protest it shows how great president hinckley was, because people are intimidated by greatness and feel they have to pull great ones down.

Lee | 8:12 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

My only concern is this will be broadcast on national TV, and the world already thinks we are weird, so seeing us on national TV waving canes, will anyone understand what this is all about? It seems a little un dignified to me. Handerchifs seems a little more reverantat a funeral.Please rethink this.

Daughter of God | 9:30 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I think it is an awesome way to pay tribute to our prophet. I am confused however how people could be so rude as to protest a funeral. Even if they don't agree on the religion, isn't a funeral taboo? I personally cannot imagine protesting anyone's funeral, whether I agree with them, their religion, or their hair color, or not.

LDS paying tribute | 9:47 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

As far as wondering if the cane thing would be considered weird, I personally think it is a very touching idea. If the family approves, why should you worry? It's not for the world to see, even though they will. It's a way, in my mind, to say that we paid enough attention to his message to notice these types of things. If they don't get it, it's going to be because they don't know him as well as they could have.So long as the waving is done gently as he did, and not fiercely, which might give the impression of a protest of sorts. I doubt I'll be able to attend this, but if I can't attend in person, you can bet I'll be waving a white hankkercheif in my home. Oh, and ignore the protestors. They want attention, I wouldn't even thank them. I would pray for them and be grateful that our prophet was so widely noted as to attract them.

Kris in Ca | 10:00 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

Makes my eyes tear up just thinking of how people can protest this great man.....
What did he ever do to them?

Anonymous | 11:36 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

awesome idea!

James | 11:39 p.m. Feb. 1, 2008

I think that it is a great idea. It is a gesture that will be remembered. I echo that they need to stay away from the protesters because this will be on national television and I know that emotions could escalate easily in a personal situation like this. Best of luck. I would do it if I lived near Utah.

Kate | 12:25 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

To "uncannygunman" thank you for your comment. I think it's hilarious. I think it would make President Hinckley smile, (the thought, not the actual act.) I wish I still lived in Utah and could be there on South Temple myself for the funeral procession.

Diane from Michigan | 8:02 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

My initial thought was like James. I would do it if I lived in Utah. I am glad that the family approves of it, and I think President Hinckley would too. It breaks my heart that anyone would even THINK of dishonoring by protesting such a wonderful witness of Christ. President Hinckley's testimony of Him burns in my heart. I will truly miss him. The picture of thousands of canes and white hankerchiefs makes me cry.

Allen | 7:59 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

Her Grandchildren placed forks on my Mother's casket as a tribute to her because she always kept her fork in hand after a meal waiting for desert. When asked why she did it she simply said "The best is yet to come." This tribute planned for President Hinkley is a great idea. These two wonderful symbols of his demonstrated his love for us and also his strength, and purity. He, in a sense, spoke to us without saying a word. By waving white handkerchiefs and raising cains on the funeral route we can say to him, quietly and reverantly, we, too, can love, and be strong and be pure. Like the tribute of the fork, he has shown us that the best is yet to come.

Sheryl Australia | 8:06 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

I think the cane idea is just not dignified, and I think a bit odd - even though I do think the idea was very thoughtful.
Everyone I have spoken to here about it thinks its way too cheesy.
I wonder if anyone has considered that people unintenionally might get hurt with those weilding canes - Like children??
All my condolences to the family, we loved him very much!!!!

Kathi | 9:51 a.m. Feb. 2, 2008

I feel it is a heartfelt idea and am pleased President Hinckley's family approves. Although it may be difficult to ignore the protesters, just say a little prayer asking for tolerance. That is what our sweet,wonderful prophet would have asked of us.

Carolyn in Canada | 11:41 p.m. Feb. 2, 2008

It was sad and joyful (at the same time) to attend Pres. Hinckley's funeral today at our chapel being broadcast over the church satellite system. I hadn't heard anything about the cane tribute before the funeral. We watched as the cortege was driving through the streets in SLC and were pleasantly surprised to see the white handkerchiefs waving tribute to him. I didn't notice any canes. I do remember seeing Pres. Kimball as a youth and we waved white handkerchiefs while singing "God Be With You" as he was leaving the stadium. So it's not so unusual. I love Pres. Hickley. I will miss him.

Sylvia | 9:52 a.m. Feb. 3, 2008

Patience, tolerance, love and charity are some of the messages that President Hinckley taught us. I love him and I will miss him dearly. I could not be at the funeral except on my TV. I had it on all day and loved every minute of it, over and over. I was pleased to see all the hankies waving along the route to the cemetary. If canes were used, I didn't see them, but when I heard about it, I thought that it was a nice tribute. Why find fault with someone's idea of paying tribute to this wonderful man? Would President Hinckley find fault with it? Let's keep ourselves from being protesters. There are enough of those already.

Mormon | 4:14 p.m. Feb. 6, 2008

I too found it a odd after i realized that it was adults doing this. but i think that the hanky was his thing. I saw a few canes not nearly 10,000, maybe 15, i did not want people spending money on canes for this. We will all miss him.

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Cane and handkerchief salutes planned for President Hinckley procession

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Reader comments Cane and handkerchief salutes planned for President Hinckley procession

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Cane and handkerchief salutes planned for President Hinckley procession