LESSONS FROM A BODYGUARD

In the Mormon Times section of the Deseret News (Thursday, March 25, 2010) there was an article titled "Bodyguard to Pres. Hinckly tells of prophet's genuineness." It included the following pull-out:

~Sayer said whenever President Hinckley would be sitting in a general conference session, he would often pass his hand over his forehead. "He was praying," he said. "He embodied the counsel to 'pray always.'"

~Sayer had had experience working on the railroad before he joined Church Security. President Hinckley had a love of the railroad and would often grill Sayer on railroad terms. Once he reflected that he and Sayer were probably the only brethren who knew the answers to those railroad questions.

~Of Sister Hinckley, Sayer said she was the quintessential plucky grandmother. Once a 10-year-old girl came up to President Hinckely for an autograph. Sayer said, "Sorry, you can't do that." The little girl ran back to her mother and burst into tears. Sister Hinckley went over to the girl and asked. "What's the matter, my dear?" The girl pointed to the 'big, mean man' - Sayer - and Sister Hinckley told her to come along. As she brought the girl to President Hinckley, the girl gave Sayer 'the worst look!  If looks could have killed!"

~When they would arrive at various destinations, Sayer would help Sister Hinckley out of the car first. Once, President Hinckley said he would get out first and open the door for Sister Hinckley. Sayer said President Hinckley grabbed one of her arms and started to pull her out. Sister Hinckley quickly responded: "Never mind, Gordon! Let David do that!" Sayer said he always helped her out of cars from then on.

David Sayer was identified as President Hinckley's bodyguard, a position he held for seventeen years. He traveled all over the world with the prophet. Brother Sayer identified the greatest lesson he learned from the prophet was, above all else a lesson in genuineness. "He was the same person during the week or when we were traveling on a plane. He greeted custodians the same as he would greet a queen or king."

Brother Sayer expressed a desire for all to emulate President Hinckley's approach, but added a sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit is required. Brother Sayer then told of a trip he made with the Hinckleys to Nicaragua. While waiting in Florida, Brother Sayer noticed a sign from another church which read, "Be still and listen."

The phrase remained in his mind. In Nicaragua, while stopped at a stop sign, Brother Sayer noticed a small truck approaching rapidly carrying iron beams. Brother Sayer had the sudden feeling that the truck would collide with them and shouted to President and Sister Hinckley to duck. The crash was huge, scattering the iron beams, but the Prophet and Sister Hinckley remained in the backseat, covered in glass. He knew he had done what he could, and relied on the Lord for the rest.

Brother Sayer pointed out how difficult it is to be still when there is so much noise drowning out spriritual promptings. As a body guard, Brother Sayer had to pay attention to what was around him at all times, 24-7.  While it is important to be aware of the world,  he said, "we should pay less attention to the secular so we can be in a position to hear the Holy Ghost."

Brother Sayer shared another example learned from President Hinckley. Once when they were on an elevator, the Propht told him, "David, stand up straight! Put your shoulders back, and let's walk forward!"

"He was always about moving forward," Sayer said.


Be Genuine~be who you really are. Am I the same person in public that I am in private?
Be Still~learn to listen. Am I in tune with the promptings available to me on a daily basis? Or am I too concerned with secular noise?
Move Forward~yesterday's mistakes belong to yesterday, today is a new day. Am I moving backward, remaining stagnant, or moving forward - following the prophet?