Thoughts on the Passing of President Hinckley

What a tremendous life! We love our beloved President Hinckley for his example of leadership, love, work, and wit. No doubt there is a jubulant reception for him in heaven. He will be missed, but his life is something to behold.
My favorite memory of President Hinckley was when he came to Boston to dedicate the Boston temple. There was opposition to the building of the temple, and we felt it was a blessing and a miracle to have it, albeit steeple-less, completed at the time.
Wayne and I were in attendance at the dedication on October 1, 2000. I remember President Hinckley enjoyed the youth choir's performance. Afterward, inside the temple, we heard President Hinckley offer the dedicatory prayer. He prayed that we would have a steeple. The prayer was beautiful and it is a memory I hold dear. Following the dedication we were encouraged to pray in our homes and churches for a steeple to be added to our temple. We prayed, our children prayed, and our congregation prayed.
On September 21, 2001, I was driving down route 2 and was shocked to see a crane at the temple hoisting a steeple on our temple! In an effort to not rub the legal victory in the neighbors' faces, this was not an announced event, but rather was done quietly and without any fanfare whatsoever. It was quite a sight to witness countless prayers answered. I hurried to Christina's school, picked her up, and hurried back down to the temple. Sure enough the crane was there, only this time it was hoisting the statue of Moroni on top of the steeple. We were thrilled to be there. I called Wayne. I called my dad. I took pictures & once I scan them I'll add them to this post.
I don't think I gave steeples much thought or appreciation before we faced the prospect of NOT having a steeple on our temple. I learned that although our temple would function perfectly without the steeple, the steeple does have religious significance. When I see our temple I look up and appreciate the steeple's symbolism- it points to the heavens, reminding us of God's existence and role in our lives. Our steeple will also always remind me of the glorious Boston temple dedication day, President Hinckley's beautiful dedicatory prayer, and the day I saw his prayer (& our prayers) answered.