Gene and I had the opportunity to go into Salt Lake on Friday to attend both the viewing and the funeral for President Hinckley. On Friday we got to Salt Lake and checked into a room at the Howard Johnson Express and then walked over to the conference center. We got in line right at 5 pm and didn't view the prophet until 10 pm! We stayed outside in the FREEZING night air for 3 hours, then waited 2 more inside the conference center. It was worth every moment to be one of the over 60,000 people (my estimate) to view our prophet. It only took 10 seconds to walk past his open casket, but those are 10 seconds I will remember the rest of my life. It was very emotional and very special. He was still wearing his glasses, which was one of the things I remember most for some crazy reason. Anyhow, 5 hours waiting in line for the viewing. We got back to our lovely little hotel and went to bed (no dinner, no food, nothing... but oh well!) We got up the next morning at 5 am to get ready to get in line for tickets to the funeral. We got over to Temple Square around 6:20 am and got in line. At around 7 am they moved us all into the Tabernacle where we waited until 9 am. We were handed our tickets and then we all traveled across the street to the conference center where we waited around 45 minutes outside. We were let into the conference center a bit before 10 and or so where we waited for the funeral to begin.
I forgot to bring my camera on Friday night, but I did bring it on Saturday, so below are a few photos documeting our day.
I just want to tell you all that these past 2 days were ones I will never forget. To mourn the loss of our prophet with so many others was very special. To attend the funeral with his beloved family was an honor. Every second that Gene and I had to wait was well worth it.
The conference center at 6 am.
People lining up for tickets to the funeral. Some people got there at 4 am to get in line early. There really was no need for that, everyone got a ticket. No one had any idea how many people would be in line for tickets....
These guys were handing out hot chocolate to everyone! People were so kind and loving, even at 6 am and in freezing cold weather. Thankfully there was no snow.
The Salt Lake temple at 6:30 am.
We couldn't wait to get into the Tabernacle.
Lining up to enter the Tabernacle. Can you see all those people?People, people everywhere.
By around 7 am they led us into the Tabernacle where we stayed for about 2 hours. It was so nice to come into a warm, cozy building after being out in the freezing, early morning air.
In the warm tabernacle.
Every flag in Utah has flown at half-staff this entire week. Now that the funeral is over, I think they go back to flying high in the sky. It was actually a very comforting feeling whenever I saw a flag at half-staff. We were all mourning together and also paying tribute to our sweet Prophet.
Thousands of people... everywhere. The conference ushers were so sweet and kind to everyone, at one point we were all being led down some stairs and a kind man stood to the side telling us: "Be careful of the steps! Watch your footing." Even after dealing with thousands of people for the past 3 days, they were all so helpful, curtious and Christ like.
Waiting to go in. This was around 9:30 am or so. Lucky Door 13, that's the one we got to go in.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir warming up. Hey Danee, I saw Tim Wright!
A poor photo, I know. Just wanted to show you the program and the ticket. Gosh, what an honor it was being there.
A view of the choir warming up. Also, a shot of just some of the most beautiful flowers ever. While we were in the conference center waiting to view the prophet, (Friday night), we watched around 15 people setting up the flowers, arranging them, and putting things together. They had a lot of work ahead of them by the time we left at 10 pm.
The conference center filling up. It never was 100% full, but very close.
We stayed in the conference center and watched some of the grave side service. It was being shown on the big screens.
One of several helicopters flying overhead covering the funeral.
By around 7 am they led us into the Tabernacle where we stayed for about 2 hours. It was so nice to come into a warm, cozy building after being out in the freezing, early morning air.
In the warm tabernacle.
Every flag in Utah has flown at half-staff this entire week. Now that the funeral is over, I think they go back to flying high in the sky. It was actually a very comforting feeling whenever I saw a flag at half-staff. We were all mourning together and also paying tribute to our sweet Prophet.
Thousands of people... everywhere. The conference ushers were so sweet and kind to everyone, at one point we were all being led down some stairs and a kind man stood to the side telling us: "Be careful of the steps! Watch your footing." Even after dealing with thousands of people for the past 3 days, they were all so helpful, curtious and Christ like.
Waiting to go in. This was around 9:30 am or so. Lucky Door 13, that's the one we got to go in.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir warming up. Hey Danee, I saw Tim Wright!
A poor photo, I know. Just wanted to show you the program and the ticket. Gosh, what an honor it was being there.
A view of the choir warming up. Also, a shot of just some of the most beautiful flowers ever. While we were in the conference center waiting to view the prophet, (Friday night), we watched around 15 people setting up the flowers, arranging them, and putting things together. They had a lot of work ahead of them by the time we left at 10 pm.
The conference center filling up. It never was 100% full, but very close.
We stayed in the conference center and watched some of the grave side service. It was being shown on the big screens.
One of several helicopters flying overhead covering the funeral.What an amazing experience.
8 comments:
How neat that you were able to actually go. I'm so glad that we were able to watch it on BYU TV.
That is so great you got to experience that. The funeral services were so amazing. I can't imagine being there in person. That is sooo cool!!! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the pictures.
Debbie that is awesome that you got to be there. I had to film a wedding that morning at the temple and Aaron forgot to record it so I didn't get to see it. Hopefully they will air it again.
Debbie - see there are some perks to living in Utah. How amazing that you were able to go. We had our kids get all dressed up and go to the stake center to watch it. It was the best that we could do to pay tribute. It was better than them sitting in their pj's watching it on the internet. I am sure that you will remember every detail of that amazing experience (especially with all those great pictures and your amazing memory!)
What an awesome experience. I wish our kids weren't so little - it would have been nice to go too. Thanks for all your pictures!!
I didn't even think of you guys getting to go to the funeral. What a terrific experience you had. Thank you for sharing it with us. I love the picture of the program and ticket.
How wonderful that you got to be there! I still haven't taken the time to watch it online. I saw that it was going to be archived. Thanks for the little insights! I love President Hinckley so much as I know many do.
Thanks for sharing the terrific pictures! I'm so glad that you and Gene were able to go. What a special experience! Something I'm sure you will never forget!
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