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Show Personal memories of a great leader - ' ' w J Haycock' if President Kimball had any paintings we could exhibit. Brother Haycock informed us he was not aware of such a talent but would check with the prophet and get back with me in a few days. A few minutes later, Brother Haycock motioned for us to come into a room and there we stood face to face with President Spencer W. Kimball. I was so startled I hardly knew what to say. Stumbling along, I mentioned I was working with BYU on a display in honor of the prophets. ' President Kimball smiled and said, "You mean that place on the hill we call the 'Y'?" I then told him I heard he had some paintings and wondered if we could put them on display. He laughed and said, "Someone has led you astray." I further quizzed him about his hobbies and he and Brother Haycock joked and said if I could put a cow on display, that would portray one of President Kimball's favorite pasttimes, that of milking a cow. He wished me luck and sent me to the Church Historian's Office where I could obtain personal items belonging to' the Prophet Joseph Smith and other prophets. But before we left he shook my children's hands and Kent was introduced by Brother Haycock as one of President Kimball's future missionaries. President Kimball kissed my two-year-old niece and we walked away feeling a mile high after our visit with the prophet. We did obtain the special items to portray a "Tribute to Our Prophets." As the objects were viewed in the secured gallery at BYU, each prophet seemed to come alive with a message left to his beloved people. They have all been special, very different men, but each left a significant purpose and message during their call to serve. In 1970 when President David O. McKay passed away, President Harold B. Lee stated, "Always with the passing of a prophet-leader there have been great happenings both in the church and the world." He felt that the report of a prophet to his maker has great significance in the affairs of men here on earth. He further stated: "Their greatest records will be written in the hearts of those whom they sought diligently to serve." President Kimball will always be remembered for his slogan, "Lengthen Your Stride." Although he was 78 years old when he was called as president of the church, the church saw him lengthen his stride and quicken his step. Pres. Spencer W. Kimball By KALYN SECRETAN A man who loved people, President Spencer W. Kimball, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 10:08 p.m. His death occurred at his apartment apart-ment in Hotel Utah with his wife, Camilla, at his side. The 12th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has served his people since December 1973. He is the most widely traveled of all presidents and encouraged members to go forth among the nations of the world. After hearing the news on Tuesday night, many memories' passed through the minds of all who loved this great leader. I'll never forget the day I met the prophet! It was Aug. 3, 1978. I was working on an assignment for a display at Education Week at BYU. I had obtained permission from Elder S. Dilworth Young to display his paintings in the Secured Gallery. He invited me to the Church Office Building to view his collection of water colors. Elder Boyd K. Packer had also offered to display some of his oil paintings. A friend mentioned she heard President Kimball painted pictures in his youth, and I thought, wouldn't it be great to obtain one of President Kimball's paintings. I took three of my children and also a two-year-old niece with me to Salt Lake City. . As we were waiting in the foyer to meet Brother Young's secretary, we saw President Kimball appear in a doorway bidding a family farewell following a setting apart of a temple sealer. We were excited to be near the prophet and just have the chance to see him. President Kimball's secretary, Arthur Haycock, walked by and spoke with us so I asked Brother |