February 4, 2008
Hola Elder Heimuli!
This week has been extra busy but glorious, filled with humbling experiences. For the thousands that attended the viewing including your Mom & siblings and Aunty Lani & family, the long lines (5 hour wait for the Pilis) was worth it. Missionaries and Church employees were specially permitted to enter the Conference Center from 7:00-9:00 am on Thursday and Friday before the general admission from 9:00am-9:00pm. When sus abuelitos went early Thursday, there was no waiting and we were able to spend a little more time gazing gratefully at the Prophet.
It's difficult to describe in words the beautiful, very serene atmosphere in the Hall of the Prophets, where President Hinckley lay. Dresssed in temple whites and with his glasses on, the prophet looked as if he were simply resting and that he would soon wake up and get to work. To us, it seemed as if he were smiling, perhaps teaching us even up to the very end of mortality: that joy and rejoicing are ours to look forward to and that after a short rest, there is more work to do on the other side and this time there would be no physical aches or pains to deter us from our labors. How powerful!
At the Wednesday night missionary temple devotional with Elder Oaks, who gave us the remainder of his "Good, Better, Best" conference address (which he didn't have time to do at conference), we learned that (1) President Hinckley was mentally alert up to his passing and (2) our Father in Heaven was hovering very, very close to the Apostles since the dissolution of the First Presidency. What comfort and assurance these apostolic words brought to those in attendance. If you could only have felt the power of the Spirit witness the truth of these words to us--it was truly amazing.
All missionaries were handed tickets to the funeral service, so, of course, we went. Grandpa planned that we should catch UTA Trax from Sandy to SLC early Saturday, which we did, and it was a very good way to travel. Although the entire funeral service was broadcasted, just as General Conference is, and tv viewers get to hear and see everything, there's something extra special about being right at the Conference Center in the midst of the speakers and choir. You know what we're talking about, don't you? Briefly, we, once again, felt the Spirit bearing witness that this man of God--our prophet--had done his BEST in all that was required from the days of his mission in England to his days as Prophet, Seer and Revelator. Heavenly Father was present as the LOVE for this man was everywhere present and deepled sensed. To think, that Grandpa and Grandma were blessed to be there and experience this awesome love that is felt worldwide for him. Newspapers are filled with his life story and legacy even to this morning. It's wonderful to see that he was recognized also in non-LDS circles.
As an aside, Marqel had a cute, baby girl the morning that we were getting ready to leave the house for the Conference Center and the funeral services. After the funeral, we stopped at Albertson's in Center St, Provo, to pick up some fresh fruits, a fresh, long-stemmed rose for Marqel and some deli food for your abuelitos. We ate our snack in the parking lot of the UV Hospital, and spent about two hours visiting her, the baby, and Mari. How blessed are we when little spirits continue to come into our growing family and what a responsibility we all share in to teach them to feast upon the words of Christ.
Snow continues to blanket the valley...we're heading out to Woodscross, with our overnight clothes, mission suits, and also some entertainment gear. We volunteered to help out a missionary branch in SL with some island songs/dances. So before going to the branch, we'll go to your home, make some clam chowder (still freezing cold here) for dinner, then head off to SL. After the missionary activity is over, we'll go back to your family's home to sleep, and head off from there early tomorrow for our mission in the FHL. We're looking forward to an evening of fun and light exercise (ha! ha! ha!)
We pray that you are well and that the Spirit will abide with you as you teach and share the gospel. We love you, Elder Heimuli. Love always...Elder and Sister Murray
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