We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19.
During the days following the death of President Howard W. Hunter, I thought about President Gordon B. Hinckley quite a lot. Seeing his face on the television, hearing him speak, contemplating his life and the wonderful apprenticeship he'd served in preparation for his new calling, my heart swelled with love for him. I mentioned to several family members that "I just loved" President Hinckley.
One morning I awakened early and lay in my bed pondering several subjects. My thoughts once again turned to the love I felt for President Hinckley. I thought, "I wonder why I feel that I love him so much? I have never met him. I don't really know him." At once this verse from 1 John came to my mind. "We love him, because he first loved us." I knew this was my answer.
Later on I heard a talk given in sacrament meeting on the topic of prophets. The speaker mentioned in her talk that she saw the love President Hinckley has for us in his eyes when he speaks to us and the world.
President Hinckley has spent his life serving the Lord and he has performed this service by working for us, his brothers and sisters. He has ultimately shown Christ-like love for us. And we love him back!
