Passing of LDS President Hinckley

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole of the LDS church with the passing of President Hinckley this past weekend. As many of you will recall, it was the death of Pope John Paul II that spurred Sarah and I into producing the CMP.  Now, a few years removed from that event, we watch as the LDS Church goes through it's own transition of leadership.  On this day, I'm reminded of the kind words President Hinckley had to say regarding Pope John Paul II, "My beloved brothers and sisters, on behalf of the worldwide membership of this Church, I extend to our Catholic neighbors and friends our heartfelt sympathy at this time of great sorrow. Pope John Paul II has worked tirelessly to advance the cause of Christianity, to lift the burdens of the poor, and to speak fearlessly in behalf of moral values and human dignity. He will be greatly missed, particularly by the very many who have looked to him for leadership."  Now it is the Catholic Church's turn to echo those words.

While it was some time before the Catholic Church knew who would be called as the next Vicar of Christ, the LDS Church has a clear plan of succession from the President, to the First Counselor, to the Second Counselor.  Based on this plan of succession, it appears Thomas S. Monson will be/is the next President of the LDS Church.