President Hinckley's Viewing... "Saying Goodbye"

Weather doesn't deter mourners on 2nd day of viewing

The weather does not appear to be preventing many people from coming downtown to the Conference Center and the public viewing for President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Nearly 21,000 visitors came yesterday for the public viewing. Many were very emotional, and the same is true for today. Visitors are deeply touched and, despite the snowy weather and cold temperatures, determined to come and pay their respects.

"He's a wonderful prophet. He's affected our lives. We love him," said Anna Lee Wadsworth, of Fallon, Nev.

"It was just a little bit of closure for me, so it was nice to come and pay tribute and feel the Spirit and see his body," said Marisa Roberts, of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The lines at times have been outside and between one and two hours long as people have come to remember President Hinckley.

"Just the beautiful spirit that he had, and his humor, and just the love that he always showed and we always felt when we saw him," said Becky Adams, of Hurricane.



"I think he taught so much about women and what we all need to do to be all that we can be, and he was constantly reminding women that they are choice and loved daughters of their Heavenly Father. And he gave us all courage and strength to move forward and do the things we need to do with our children and our husbands and in the community and the world," said Barbra Spuhler, of Bountiful.

People are being ushered into the main hall, where there are 21,000 seats, to wait before going upstairs to the Hall of the Prophets to walk past President Hinckley's casket.

At one point, President Hinckley's daughters' voices were heard over the loudspeakers. Choking back a few tears, they thanked people here for the tributes they're paying and said if their father were here, they think he'd say something like, "What's all the fuss about? Go on with your lives. Do your work."

The public viewing is scheduled to end at 7 p.m., but with the thousands of people still standing in line it's likely to continue throughout the night. The wait to see President Hinckley is now four hours.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Society of Salt Lake City expressed their sympathy and admiration of President Hinckley today.

"He will be forever remembered for his tireless dedication, devotion, inspirations to millions, his humanitarian aid, and disaster relief to various parts of the world under stress.

"On behalf of the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake City and on my own behalf, I wish to extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its devout followers, and his bereaved family in their grief," said Tarek Nosseir, president of The Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake City.

President Hinckley's funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 11:00 in the Conference Center