The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as “the Mormons,” has announced the funeral services for beloved prophet and leader Gordon B. Hinckley. The services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2008, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.
The services will also be broadcast via satellite over the Church satellite system to over 6000 LDS meetinghouses worldwide. Additionally, BYU-TV will broadcast the funeral. BYU-TV is available in many cable and satellite packages in the United States. They also provide live streaming video at www.byu.tv. Thus, viewers worldwide have some options from which to choose.
The funeral will not be an official worship service the way Sabbath meetings are, but it will be an opportunity for people worldwide to pay their respects to President Hinckley. Latter-day Saint funerals generally include a few musical numbers, and there will likely be several speakers who will share their memories of President Hinckley and their testimonies of the Savior and His great plan of salvation.
Latter-day Saint funeral are often more hope-filled than those of some other denominations. While we certainly mourn the passing of a loved one who has died, we also have a firm belief in life after the death of our physical bodies. This is why we perform saving temple ordinances for our ancestors and others who have died before us, and why we desire to have our families sealed to us for time and all eternity. Because we believe that there is an eternity, and that this mortal life is in fact only a small part of our existence. Our spirits lived before we were born on earth, and they continue to live on when our mortal bodies die. Later, through the Atonement of Christ, our mortal bodies and our spirits will be resurrected – reunited, never to separate again.
President Thomas S. Monson, currently serving as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained these things to us:
We know each one lived in the spirit world with Heavenly Father. We understand we have come to earth to learn, to live, to progress in our eternal journey toward perfection. Some remain on earth but for a moment, while others live long upon the land. The measure is not how long we live but rather how well we live. Then come death and the beginning of a new chapter of life. Where does that chapter lead?
Many years ago I stood by the bedside of a young man, the father of two children, as he hovered between life and the great beyond. He took my hand in his, looked into my eyes, and pleadingly asked, “Bishop, I know I am about to die. Tell me what happens to my spirit when I die.”
I prayed for heavenly guidance before attempting to respond. My attention was directed to the Book of Mormon, which rested on the table beside his bed. I held the book in my hand, and it providentially opened to the 40th chapter of Alma. I began to read aloud:
“Now my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead. …
“Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection — Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, … are taken home to that God who gave them life.
“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.” (Alma 40:1, 11-12)
My young friend closed his eyes, expressed a sincere thank-you, and silently slipped away to that paradise about which we had spoken. (Thomas S. Monson, “He Is Risen,” Ensign, Apr 2003, 2-7)
Speaking of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, President Monson continued:
As the least of His disciples, I declare my personal witness that death has been conquered, victory over the tomb has been won. May the words made sacred by Him who fulfilled them become actual knowledge to all. Remember them. Cherish them. Honor them. He is risen. (Thomas S. Monson, “He Is Risen,” Ensign, Apr 2003, 2-7)
To learn more about our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, visit www.mormon.org.
