president Gordon B. Hinkley died yesterday evening. He was 97. He besides President Spencer W. Kimball were my favorite leaders of my church.

I got to see President Hinkley in Korea. I had to choose from going to a Carlos Santana concert right next door or going to see the prophet of my church speak. I'm glad i chose to see the prophet. I wanted to know if he was really a man of god. I wanted to know that if i could feel something about him or anything from him. I did. I knew the moment he walked in the room. He was gentle as a lamb, and funny and he had a lot to say to the korean members of the church. Especially to the korean men. Because the korean men are very sexist. He told them that just because they are a patriarchial society doesn't mean you treat the women as below you because you're a man. He reminded them gently but firmly that spending their time with their families was more important than making money and helps foster love in the home from their wives who do a lot of work that they needed to recognize.

He said a lot more, but that really stuck with me, that he knew exactly what was going on in that country, because i witnessed all those drunken soju-ed up business men on a nightly basis roaming and being total jerks, and seeing the wives alone with their children all day for hours and hours, because they don't stop working. korea is a hard place, and lovely too, but very hard.

he knew just what to say and more importantly he said it with so much love and care, that it didn't offend you. it made you want to try harder in your life. to strive for excellence.

I'm glad i went to see him. When i read he died, i wasn't sad for him at all. I knew he had a great life, and would just be extending it into the next life. I knew he'd be happy wherever he is going. i smiled for him.

p.s. i did get to see carlos santana play that night. after the concert i was walking by, nobody was there, maybe 50 people. maybe 80. it was so small like a nightclub full on this huge outdoor concert grass like theatre--like cricket pavilion but with only 4 rows full. lol. anyway it was like 100 dollars to go, but as i was peeking through the fence, a korean boy who was standing at the gate waved me in. i said i didn't have any money, but he smiled and waved me in. I was so excited! and carlos santana hadnt even played any of his good old songs yet! so it really started the moment i got there. :) i heard everyone of my favorite santana songs, and it was a killer nite. :) on both counts.