And now you know the rest of the story.

 

Wide view of the Brethren seated and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I was doubly blessed to be able to attend the first session on my press pass with my camera. Those who were watching the proceedings of conference on television were not able to see what happened when the new callings were issued to President Eyring and Elder Cook. I wanted to show you some of what I observed.

Elders Bednar, Uchtdorf and Eyring just minutes before the new calls were issued.

There is a love that exists between the leaders of the Church that is rarely found in any other organization or group in the world.

President Monson and President Hinckley with the empty seat where President Faust sat for 12 ½ years.

I was up close—not only with my camera and a 600mm lens, but with my own eyes.

The moment right before the calls were issued.

I was observing the faces of these leaders I pray for every day. It was astounding.

President Hinckley called for the sustaining vote of the new member of the First Presidency and a new member of the Twelve.

As President Hinckley sustained Henry B. Eyring as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency, I watched as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland immediately put his hand on President Eyring’s arm to comfort and steady him. They had been seat mates for 12 ½ years. This was an emotional moment for both of them. Then Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf put his hand on President Eyring’s other arm.

Support from apostles on either side of President Eyring.

For a brief moment, President Eyring was supported on either side by these loving, kind, fellow apostles of the Lord.

President Eyring is called to take his seat as second counselor in the First Presidency.

As Elder Quentin L. Cook made the long walk from a few rows above the Twelve to take his proper place, I watched this amazing moment where President Eyring left his chair to take the seat where President James E. Faust has been for 12 ½ years.

President Eyring walks to his new seat. Elder Uchtdorf begins to move to his new seat.

I then watched as Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf moved over one chair and then Elder David A. Bednar moved over one chair. This moving to a different chair in this quorum is a rare event.

Elder Bednar takes his new chair. Note the warm greeting from Elder Holland to Elder Uchtdorf.

Elder Cook was being greeted and hands were extended from every side as he made his way to the now empty chair for the junior member of the Twelve.

Elder Quentin L. Cook makes the long walk to his new chair and his new quorum.

Elder Bednar and Elder Uchtdorf warmly greeted Elder Cook.

Elder Cook takes his place as the junior member of the Twelve.

President Eyring took the empty chair occupied so long by President Faust. President Eyring is the 24 th man to be called as a second counselor in the First Presidency.

President Eyring awaited President Hinckley’s return from the stand, not knowing what

President Hinckley finally left the stand to come back to his chair. As he made his way the ten or twelve feet to his chair, he stopped briefly and raised his cane up in the air over President Eyring’s head—almost as one would picture being knighted by the sword of the King—and he gently touched him on the head!

In a way, this was such a surprising moment, but then again, knowing President Hinckley, it was not!

It was so sweet to see our venerable, 97-year-old Prophet do this little thing. Those who were in the Conference Center roared in laughter.

President Eyring took the small and loving gesture so well from President Hinckley.

President Eyring lowered his head a bit but took the small tap of the cane and smiled as big as he always does. It was endearing and memorable.

From my angle is certainly appeared that the cane actually touched President Eyring’s head.

The press photographers on either side of me were going nuts taking their pictures—I captured it as well, but more importantly—I captured it in my heart.

President Hinckley finished and walked to his chair.

I think I was enjoying the moment so much I didn’t concentrate on holding the camera as steady as I would have liked.

President Eyring gave President Hinckley a loving pat as he walked by to his chair.

Changes come—but on this day of conference when new leaders were sustained—I saw such love, such tenderness, such a bond of brotherhood and unity.

Now the First Presidency is complete again with no empty chair.

I shall truly never forget what I saw nor what I felt.

The Choir sang the next number and the conference proceeded on as scheduled.