Hi,

Please share your experiences, memories, lessons learned, and how President Hillam impacted your life in this forum.

My family and I were saddened to learn that President Hillam's health is failing.  He is in our thoughts and prayers. Our thanks to Tim for sending out the email to tell us.  President Hillam speaks Portuguese with an Idahoan accent.  We Idahoans can greatly appreciate this.  I will always remember "Voce Pode Elder!" Also, the year of the 1,000 baptism goal.  I remember a Zone Conference where President Hillam told the parable of the cruise ship passenger.  He will always be a great example and inspiration to me and my family!  Thank you President for your friendship and love! :) Best wishes to Sister Hillam and your family.  Our prayers are with them also at this time.  Love, David Klingler and Family --Rexburg, Idaho

Harold G. Hillam is an example to me.  I have tremendous respect for him.  He listened and gave counsel.  He motivated and helped us set our standard higher.  I remember a time when I was his companion while he was conducting church business in looking for a building to purchase as a chapel.  At one building, after a time, he separated himself from the group.  I watched him from a distance as he bowed his head and stood reverently.  I knew he was petitioning the Lord to inquire if that building was where the Saints of that area were to meet.  That was a simple, yet powerful, demonstration to me of his faith and reliance upon the Lord.  His attitude and energy were so helpful.  I remember his standard answer to the question, "Como vai?".  It was always "Otimo e ficando melhor".  President, I love you and I thank you and your sweet wife for being such important figures in one of the most important times of my life. . 

Thank you Sister Hillam.  The two of you make such a wonderful couple.  Your influences in my life have been absolutely priceless.  You both and your family are in our prayers.

Love, 

Dennis Doutre (1980-82) and family  --Puyallup, Washington

"Arold illam",  as his name was pronouced by the Portuguese, has always been synonymous with strength, faith, integrity, and determination ...to me!  Pres. Hillam will continue to be an example of a true follower of Christ in my life!  He always had a quick smile to share....which seemed to brighten any room and any situation!  I remember feeling discouraged that  I would never learn to albe to speak Portuguese, pass off palestras, or reach the padrão de  fé...but, .I knew Pres. Hillam believed I could do those things,,,I knew he had faith that God would help me...and that was just what I needed!  I remember kneeling  in prayer with him at  the end of an interview and feeling the Spirit all around me, as he prayed for me!  I understood at that moment that all things were possible with the help of the Lord.  This was a turning point in my mission.  With Pres. Hillam's encouragment and trust in me...I learned to speak in Portuguese!  By following his counsel I learned to pray with real faith, and work like crazy and watch the miracles happen!   God helped me to always be in the padrão de  fé week after week...and  I was able to do that because I knew that Pres. Hillam knew that I could. God poured out His blessings upon me and my companions! 

President Hillam gave me the chance to be a district leader in an 'all sisters' district.  He kept telling me he wanted to form an 'all sisters' zone.  I don't know if that ever happened!  I am grateful that I had a mission president who was willing to try new things, be creative, look for new solutions and who challenged me, and gave me opportunities to grow! 

Being a missionary in Portugal was an awesome part of my life!  I can't imagine serving with any other President, than Pres. Hillam!  My life was changed for the better because I had Pres. Hillam as my mission president!  Thank you to Sis. Hillam also, for always being by his side and setting a great example to each and every missionary I am as grateful today, as I was when I was a missionary, to have served with Pres.& Sis. Hillam in Portugal! Pres. Hillam may have passed on from his earthly life, but He remains a great example of faith and hard work in my life! 

with much love, 

Sis. Field (Robin Field Jones)

Dear sister Hillam and family,

I wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I remember Pres. Hillam with love, a man and a leader that you could see your own potential reflected in his eyes because he believed in you and loved you. I am so grateful to be counted as one of your missionaries and to have treasured his teachings and examples that have nutured my life since then. I was baptized also during Pres. and sister Hillam's mission service in Portugal. These were probably years that set me in a course where I walk the path that builds my testimony of the Gospel stronger everyday. Please, receive all my love at this difficult time and my sincere wish that the Spirit is comforting you.

Maria Manuela (Silva) Cordner (Sister Manuela silva)

I was so saddened to learn of President Hillam's passing.  He has always been a great example and an inspiration to me. I will never forget him saying "voce pode Elder, voce pode."

I wish I could have been there for the funeral but am out of the state with my job.

My prayers go out to Sis. Hillam and the family.  We will miss him sorely but isn't it wonderful to know that he will undoubtedly be anxiously engaged in missionary work on the other side.

What a blessing the Gospel is in our lives.

Thank you Pres. Hillam.  Thank you Sis. Hillam and the Hillam family for moving to Portugal to serve the Lord so many years ago.  Still seems like it was just the other day.

Sincerely,

Robert Kresge