Associated Press – January 28, 2008
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s leaders and believers mourned the death of Gordon B. Hinckley, the humble head of the Mormon church who added millions of new members and labored long to burnish the faith’s image as a world religion.
Hinckley, the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sunday of complications arising from old age, church spokesman Mike Otterson said. He was 97.
“His leadership in humanitarian efforts around the world was matched only by his efforts in his own beloved state and community as a committed citizen,” said Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Mormon. “He has stood as a remarkable example of selflessness, charity and humility and he will be greatly missed by all.”
By tradition, at a church president’s death, the church’s most senior apostle is ordained within days on a unanimous vote of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. The longest-serving apostle now is Thomas S. Monson, 80, who first became a member of the council in 1963. In addition to serving as a counselor to Hinckley, he also has served alongside two other church presidents.
The vote is not likely to occur until after Hinckley is laid to rest. At least twice in the past the naming of a new president has lagged for several years, but in modern times the announcement has come within a week.
Hinckley, a grandson of Mormon pioneers, was president for nearly 13 years. He took over as president and prophet on March 12, 1995, and oversaw one of the greatest periods of expansion in church history. The number of temples worldwide more than doubled, from 49 to more than 120 and church membership grew from about 9 million to about 13 million.
Republican Mitt Romney, who is trying to become the first Mormon elected president, said Monday he would miss the humility and wisdom of Hinckley and plans to attend his funeral.
The former Massachusetts governor recalled meeting Hinckley both when he served as president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, as well as before he launched his White House bid. Romney said Hinckley was pleased he was endeavoring to become the first Mormon elected president.
“He smiled and said it would be a great experience if you won and a great experience if you lost,” Romney said.
The church presidency is a lifetime position. Before Hinckley, the oldest church president was David O. McKay who was 96 when he died in 1970.
Hinckley became by far his church’s most traveled leader in history. And the number of Mormons outside the United States surpassed that of American Mormons for the first time since the church, the most successful faith born in the United States, was founded in 1830.
Dozens of mourners gathered Sunday night outside Mormon church headquarters to honor Hinckley. College students sang hymns by the light of their cell phones.
Genoba Urbina recalled how humble Hinckley appeared when she served food and drinks at a conference in New Orleans four years ago. He even asked for her lemonade recipe.
“He didn’t want anything special. He danced and wore Mardi Gras beads,” recalled Urbina, of North Salt Lake. “He was so loving.”
Hinckley had been diagnosed with diabetes and was hospitalized in January 2006 for the removal of a cancerous growth in his large intestine. He later resumed a regular work schedule and his last public appearance was Jan. 4
About 62 percent of Utah’s 2.7 million residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Leaders in all levels of government are members, including the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Hinckley worked to show that his faith was far removed from its peculiar and polygamous roots. Still, during his tenure, the Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention and United Methodist Church – the three largest U.S. denominations – each declared that Mormon doctrines depart from mainstream Christianity.
“The more people come to know us, the better they will understand us,” Hinckley said in an interview with The Associated Press in late 2005. “We’re a little different. We don’t smoke. We don’t drink. We do things in a little different way. That’s not dishonorable. I believe that’s to our credit.”
Mayor Ralph Becker, who is not Mormon, said Hinckley made it a habit to reach out to other religions: “He was such a unifier, someone who was warm and engaging and respecting of everyone who he encountered.”
Jeanetta Williams, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Idaho, Nevada and Utah, praised Hinckley for taking interest in her causes. Only about 1 percent of Utah’s population is black.
“President Hinckley was always concerned about the way people treated one another, and each time that he and I spoke, he always asked how I was being treated by the people in Utah and on my job,” she said.
Born June 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City, Hinckley graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in arts and planned to attend graduate school in journalism. Instead, a church mission took him to the British Isles.
Upon his return, he became executive director of the newly formed Church Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee at $60 a month. Hinckley always worked for the church, except for a brief stint during World War II as a railroad agent.
He began his leadership role in 1995 by holding a rare news conference, citing growth and spreading the Mormon message as the church’s main challenge heading into the 21st century.
Hinckley’s grandfather knew church founder Joseph Smith and followed leader Brigham Young west to the Great Salt Lake Basin. He often spoke of the Mormon heritage of pioneer sacrifice and its importance as a model for the modern church.
“I think as long as history lasts there will be an interest in the roots of this work, a very deep interest,” Hinckley said in a 1994 interview with the AP.
“Because insofar as the people of the church are concerned, without a knowledge of those roots and faith in the validity of those roots, we don’t have anything,” he said.
Hinckley was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, whom he married in 1937. She died in 2004.
Survivors include five children, all in the Salt Lake City area: Kathleen Barnes, Richard Gordon Hinckley, Virginia Pearce, Clark Bryant Hinckley and Jane Dudley. He also had dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“His life was a true testament of service, and he had an abiding love for others,” said U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and fellow Mormon. “His wit, wisdom, and exemplary leadership will be missed by not only members of our faith, but by people of all faiths throughout the world.”
Associated Press writer Brock Vergakis in Salt Lake City and Glenn Johnson in West Palm Beach, Fla. contributed to this report.
Beliefnet
Advertisement
posted January 28, 2008 at 10:29 am
I’m sure he is now in Mormon heaven, partying(without booze or caffine) with his relatives. The faithful will, according to their beliefs, meet him again when they leave here and go meet “Heavenly Father.”
Seriously, he seems to have been a nice guy, and certainly pushed up the membership duing his time as leader.
posted January 28, 2008 at 6:18 pm
His religious leadership seems impressive, but truth be told, just reading about his life in general kind of awes me. Born in 1910 and married for almost seventy years…wow. Anyway, may God bless him and all his admirers.
posted January 28, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hinkley was really the man who modernized the LDS Church and lifted it beyond Utah, and into a worldwide organization. He was the one who in the 1960s introduced the concept of mass media, and if you remember those heart warming Mormon comercials of the 1970s, you can thank Hinkley. In the 90s he took the church to the world, building temples in all corners of the world. He was in the prayer meeting that lifted the priesthood ban from black members saying “Not one of us who was present on that occasion was ever quite the same after that. Nor has the Church been quite the same. All of us knew that the time had come for a change and that the decision had come from the heavens. The answer was clear. There was perfect unity among us in our experience and in our understanding.” He was always forward thinking, and the most humble, loving man you could ever meet. Truly he was a saint and a deciple of Christ. May God bless him.
posted January 28, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I remember being a little girl, watching him speak on tv and even then had a great love for him. I have always had a soft spot for someone with a sense of humor. Gordon B. Hinckley had a great wit, sense of humor and literally a sparkle in his eye. He had a love of all people and you could feel that when he spoke. Last year I heard him speak at a conference. He said, speaking of his age, that “He was the last leaf on the tree and a strong wind was blowing.” Humorous to the end..
He is and will always be a great testament to how one should strive to live their life. He never quit working. He will always be an example of the kind of service, love, and kindness I hope to have for others.
Enjoy your reward…
posted January 28, 2008 at 9:46 pm
God be with you till we meet again dear President Hinckley
posted January 29, 2008 at 8:53 am
Rest in peace dear president Hinckley,am sure your reward awaits u werever you are.
posted January 29, 2008 at 12:46 pm
President Hinckley you were a great diciple of Christ,rest in peace.
posted January 29, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I HAVE ONLY BEEN A MEMBER FOR SIX MONTHS BUT I REMEMBER BEING AT THE STAKE CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER 07 AND SEEING OUR PROPHET GORDON.B.HINCKLEY I WAS AMAZED HOW GOOD HE LOOKED FOR THE AGE HE WAS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE EFFECT HE HAS HAD ON MY LIFE SINCE I BECAME A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF LATTER DAY SAINTS MAY HE REST IN PEACE NOW AND RETURN TO HEAVENLY FATHER AS HE HAS WAITED AND WORKED SO HARD MAY GOD BLESS YOU
posted January 29, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I Remember in 2001 When President Hinkley Came to Jamaica When I have the privillage of driving President Faust and President Hinkley to and from the airport all can tell you he was and still a great man. He will be mist by my family,May our heavenly comfort is family at this time. God be with you till we meet again.
posted January 30, 2008 at 1:01 am
I remember when we dedicated the Newport Beach Temple and President Hinkley came and talked to us. I remember when I saw him walk into the room,I just felt this warm feeling in me. Like a warm blanket was wraped around me. The spirit just filled the whole room and my eyes filled with tears of happiness that I was in the same room as the prophet. I am so sad he passed away, but I know he is in a better place. I know he is happier. And I know when he entered the gates of Heaven, Heavenly Father was there to greet him and say,” Well Done”. May God be with him till we meet again.
posted January 30, 2008 at 5:57 am
i have never met him but i remember how i felt when i received my letter from him calling me to go on a mission, i felt something that i never felt before and i knew that he was a prophet of god.
he will always be remembered by those who eek after the truth.
posted January 30, 2008 at 9:04 am
I am a new convert of only 6 years this coming June..As a new convert I was excited about President Hinckleys wonderful example to ALL of us..His spirit was always there in all the talks he gave,you could feel how close he was to Heavenly Father..He was an awesome spirit..I did not get to meet him in person here on earth,however,I look so forward to meeting him at a latter time when we are all in the presence of our Savior..He will be missed but he is now at rest with his earthly companion whom he loved so much…………
posted January 30, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Thank you for your service to the world. I know it wasn’t easy. I’m glad you will be reunited with your lovely wife and famly. Heaven is a reward. Enjoy!
posted February 3, 2008 at 8:15 am
president Hinckley you were a true prophet of a living GOD and you had charity which is the pure love of Christ and you were led by the Spirit to show us in the way of Life and salvation .I love to thank you with all my hart for all the works of GOD in your mission in the name of JESUS CHRIST amen.
posted February 3, 2008 at 3:58 pm
On to the next Prophet! One gone another in the wings!
posted February 3, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I’m sure the work you’ve done on earth will be rewarded with God. I can’t help but think your still working and expecting us all to keep our faith and to keep our work going with the church. We love you and we will always miss the love and the fun you have brought to the churh. Rest well, for we will see you soon.
posted February 3, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I listened to a few of the addresses by President Hinkley and I was always inspired by his words. He always seemed to be genuine and direct in his style of communication. I am not a Mormom, but I attended church services for about two years or so. I was considered a “dry Mormon” and I was never pressured (gently encouraged) to be baptized. My reasons for not officially joining varied, but I still appreciate the religion and I had respect for President Hinkley.
posted February 4, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I met President Hinckley at a Stake conference. I could listen to his talks all day they are uplifting and leave you wanting more. HJe was a genuinely nice man and his warmth was conveyed both in voice and on paper. He will be missed.
posted February 6, 2008 at 5:31 am
I have listened to his talks, I have read many of his books, I have always known he was a prophet of God upon this earth and I will miss him and his humility, what a wonderful messenger he has been for Our Father In Heaven, he will be missed but the consolation we have is that the next president of the church will also be a great messenger simply because Our Father in Heaven will continue to reveal to us His Will. Thank you for this opportunity to make my comments on such a wonderful man, I know he is now with his family members who have gone before him.
posted February 12, 2008 at 8:56 am
I know and believe you are only resting after 97 years of hard work and service to our Heavenly father and the entire human race.I remember the tune of your voice: a humble one ofcourse that cannot be describe with words of men. It was my dream to have met you one day soon. Infact, I was filled with tears of joy when a non-member of our great faith asked me if I was aware that the Prophet of my church had passed away? I felt so great for the world was watching and listening to your lovely teachings of all time.
May God always be your companion. Amen!!
posted February 12, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I am saddened to hear of this great mans death.I saw him briefly at the temple in Halifax,Nova Scotia and there was a light that shone from him.The feeling I had that day was calming and beautiful.I`ve never felt this since.I am not a very good Mormon but I do keep trying.In this world today it is a little darker knowing he isnt here but fills me with hope that he is with his beloved wife.
He looked like my Grandad but had the air of an angel.
posted February 17, 2008 at 10:46 am
I am humbled by the love of this man, for his followers he worked to lead, and the love of his followers towards him. He sounds like he was truly a humanitarian as well as a revered leader of his church. The fact that he cared for all, mormon or not, witnesses of his spirit. I am sure that the numbers speak of that, referring to how he helped the mormon church grow. I wish him love and peace and that he is with Jesus, and basking in His love. God bless his family and all mormons during this time of change.
posted February 18, 2008 at 12:02 am
I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father loves us for he has given us good men to watch over his flocks I am grateful to hear the Prophetin many occasion speak truth about The gosple of Jesus Christ Gordon B Hiinkley was so ful with love He taught us to build our faith in Christ and help us to have a better understanding of God”s plan. i loved him for he has taught me to be a better husband father.we will miss him and hope to meet him again
posted February 22, 2008 at 12:24 pm
When i became a member of the church in 2003, I knew nnothing of president Hinkley, other then he was the president and prophet of the church as the pope is the leader of the catholic church, but then as i grew closer to god by reading the bible and the book of morman, when i listened to him speak to the nations of people i heard more then words alone, i heard the words and felt the spirit of god in my soul. thats how i knew he was a prophet. His wife was his gift from god to him and his family was his life but he was gods mouth.
posted March 2, 2008 at 11:32 pm
mE AND MY FAMILY MISS SUCH A GREAT MAN ,PAPA HINCKLEY YOU LOVE ALL AS CHRIST SAY WE SHOULD. BE BLACK OR WHITE YOU LOVE GODCHILDREN AND SO YOU DESIRE FOR ALL TO DO , MAY GOD RICHLY REWARD YOU WE MISS YOYU
posted March 4, 2008 at 7:14 am
I remember President Hinckley speaking in conference when our new Stake was dedicated..He had a great love for everyone, and a warm wit…Pesident Hinckley rests in peace with his lovely wife, and he is continuing his mission, I am sure..What a wonderful person he was..sharing with all he came in contact with.
WE love you, President Hinckley.
posted March 7, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I just wanted to say that i am deeply sorry for the death of pres. hinkley..I got to know him when i was in state conference and he talked..i too could have sat and listened all day to his talks..He presented himself so dignified in everything that he accomplished. I really felt his spirit and just listening to him brought tears all the way from my heart..i will sorely miss him and i will be glad to go and meet him in our fathers home..i feel honored to have known him and to be a member of this church as of 28 years..
posted March 13, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I wanted to take this time to share my grief at President Hinckleys
passing with his family and our church family. Even though he has passed on through the great veil we will all share in the experience of seeing him again and for those of us who never met him personally,
our first time meeting will be a glorious blessing.I had an oppurtunity
to meet him in Victoria BC but didn`t take on the opputunity extended
I look forward to the oppurtunity beyond the veil.
Erik R, LaRiviere
posted March 29, 2008 at 10:42 am
R.I.P I Always love you,1st time when i have been read his book’s standin’ for something i was so touched it for what he was talking that book,he is one of my favor
posted April 17, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Gordon B.Hinkley was one of God’s True Prophets upon the face of the earth in these latter days. He was a true follower of Christ’s teachings and he loved everyone just like Our Father in Heaven.
May God be with the Hinkley family as they move on with out their beloved Father, dad, and grandpa.
We loved him too.