President Gordon B. Hinckley was so attuned to the sacred nature of LDS temples that he regularly removed his hat when passing beneath the Salt Lake Temple in the underground complex beneath Temple Square.
The story was one of several remembrances shared by President Thomas S. Monson, who served as first counselor to his cherished friend for nearly 13 years. They spent a total of 44 years together in the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The church leaders are transported in carts beneath the complex, and in winter months President Hinckley always wore a coat and hat. "As our cart passed under Main Street, President Hinckley knew that we were then within the confines of the temple rather than under the street and, without a word, would remove his hat and place it on his lap.
"He seemed to know instinctively when that moment arrived. It was such a simple yet profound expression of reverence and respect for the House of the Lord, and it made a deep impression on me."
During his administration, President Hinckley announced a plan to construct dozens of small temples across the world and will be remembered by church members for the massive building program that ensued, more than doubling the number of LDS temples worldwide.
President Monson also recalled a conversation with a doctor who treated both him and President Hinckley. The physician told President Monson he was concerned that President Hinckley didn't use his cane to steady himself when he walked. "The last thing we want is for him to fall and break a hip, or worse. Instead, he waves it around and then doesn't use it when he walks.
"Tell him the cane has been prescribed by his doctor, and he needs to use it as it was meant to be used."
After listening to the doctor's concerns, President Monson replied, "Doctor, I am President Hinckley's counselor. You are his doctor. You tell him!"
He described his friend as a giant of a man in knowledge, faith, love, testimony, compassion and vision. "I cannot adequately express how much I miss him. ... We have shared much over the years — heartache and happiness, sorrow and laughter."
He was "our prophet, seer and revelator. He was an island of calm in a sea of storm. He was as a lighthouse to the lost mariner. He was your friend and my friend. He comforted and calmed us when conditions in the world were frightening. He guided us undeviatingly on the path which will lead us back to our Heavenly Father."
During a meeting together as a First Presidency about 10 days ago, "his voice was strong, his mind was clear. He was self-assured and decisive. A few days later he lay near death."
President Monson described his last visit to President Hinckley's home a few hours before his death with President Henry B. Eyring and President Boyd K. Packer. After circling with other family priesthood holders to give him a blessing, "It was a sacred time of parting; we knew the veil was very thin and that he was being summoned to the other side."
As he traveled home, President Monson recalled his friend's words to LDS women in September 2003, expressing his love for his wife, Marjorie, who died shortly thereafter. "He missed her every day, every moment. What a glorious reunion they have now had."
"On behalf of each one of us, my brothers and sisters, I offer our final farewell to our beloved prophet. ... God be with you till we meet again."
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