The Viewing and Funeral (February 1 & 2, 2008)
Since I went to Sister Hinckley's viewing, I knew I had to go to President Hinckley’s viewing. Jay and I stood in line for President Benson and President Hunter, both Idaho native like us, so I invited Jay to come with me. Both President Benson and President Hunter's viewings were held in the Church Office Building by the Joseph Smith Building. But President Hinckley’s viewing had to be moved to the Conference Center because so many people wanted to pay their respects. That first Friday night in February, Jay and I drove to the Trax station. It was bit crowded on Trax, not everyone was going to the viewing. When one young woman, who was on her way to work, found out where we going, she commented that she had seen one of his interviews and thought President Hinckley was pretty cool guy. Apparently, President Hinckley had left a favorable impression of those who were not members of the church. I was touched by the young woman's remarks.
When we got off Trax, I thought we would be able to walk into Conference Center, but there was a long line in front, so we walked around to the west side of the Conference Center. It was probably six or six-thirty when we got in line halfway to or maybe almost to 200 North. We stood in the cold and the dark for quite a few hours. The line snaked in and out of the plaza on the southwest corner of the Conference Center. About ten o'clock we got inside. My ankles were cold and they hurt. My knees might have hurt too. But what surprised me the most was that after all that standing outside, my enlarged nerve in my left foot was not aching at all. Jay and I still stood as we rode an escalator or two for the next hour or so. We did get to sit in the giant room where General conference is held every six months. It was nice to have a break from standing. Once I sat on a couch while Jay saved my place in line. Finally about eleven, we saw President Hinckley lying in his casket. It was very quiet and peaceful as we passed thru the Hall of the Prophets where President Hinckley lay in state. We passed quickly by President Hinckley’s casket; there was such a feeling of reverence in the room. Now I understood why those coming down the escalators were sober-looking. He looked calm and at peace. I have to admit, I almost didn't recognize him without his glasses.
Then at 11:30, Jay and I were back in the bitter cold waiting for Trax. It probably wasn't a long wait (especially compared to wait before) before the Sandy train came and took us to the Trax station we needed. When we got home, we turned the furnace and before long we crawled into our separate beds. Jay probably had a bite to eat before retiring. The next morning we watched the funeral and the graveside services on TV. After spending an evening in the bitter cold weather, I don't think we wanted to spend a few morning hours freezing in line. And besides, we needed some rest after a long bitter cold night. I am thinking that most of local stations broadcasted it as I don't think we watched the funeral and graveside services on the same station.
Since I went to Sister Hinckley's viewing, I knew I had to go to President Hinckley’s viewing. Jay and I stood in line for President Benson and President Hunter, both Idaho native like us, so I invited Jay to come with me. Both President Benson and President Hunter's viewings were held in the Church Office Building by the Joseph Smith Building. But President Hinckley’s viewing had to be moved to the Conference Center because so many people wanted to pay their respects. That first Friday night in February, Jay and I drove to the Trax station. It was bit crowded on Trax, not everyone was going to the viewing. When one young woman, who was on her way to work, found out where we going, she commented that she had seen one of his interviews and thought President Hinckley was pretty cool guy. Apparently, President Hinckley had left a favorable impression of those who were not members of the church. I was touched by the young woman's remarks.
When we got off Trax, I thought we would be able to walk into Conference Center, but there was a long line in front, so we walked around to the west side of the Conference Center. It was probably six or six-thirty when we got in line halfway to or maybe almost to 200 North. We stood in the cold and the dark for quite a few hours. The line snaked in and out of the plaza on the southwest corner of the Conference Center. About ten o'clock we got inside. My ankles were cold and they hurt. My knees might have hurt too. But what surprised me the most was that after all that standing outside, my enlarged nerve in my left foot was not aching at all. Jay and I still stood as we rode an escalator or two for the next hour or so. We did get to sit in the giant room where General conference is held every six months. It was nice to have a break from standing. Once I sat on a couch while Jay saved my place in line. Finally about eleven, we saw President Hinckley lying in his casket. It was very quiet and peaceful as we passed thru the Hall of the Prophets where President Hinckley lay in state. We passed quickly by President Hinckley’s casket; there was such a feeling of reverence in the room. Now I understood why those coming down the escalators were sober-looking. He looked calm and at peace. I have to admit, I almost didn't recognize him without his glasses.
Then at 11:30, Jay and I were back in the bitter cold waiting for Trax. It probably wasn't a long wait (especially compared to wait before) before the Sandy train came and took us to the Trax station we needed. When we got home, we turned the furnace and before long we crawled into our separate beds. Jay probably had a bite to eat before retiring. The next morning we watched the funeral and the graveside services on TV. After spending an evening in the bitter cold weather, I don't think we wanted to spend a few morning hours freezing in line. And besides, we needed some rest after a long bitter cold night. I am thinking that most of local stations broadcasted it as I don't think we watched the funeral and graveside services on the same station.
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