A biographical overview of the life of Gordon B. Hinckley,
the fifteenth President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ
Following is a brief summary of some major events in the life of Gordon B. Hinckley, the fifteenth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Gordon Bitner Hinckley was born June 23, 1910 in Salt Lake City to Bryant Stringham Hinckley and Ada Bitner Hinckley.
- He was baptized on April 28, 1919 by his father at age 8.
- He graduated from the University of Utah in 1932, having studied English and journalism.
- He served a full-time mission in the British Isles from 1933 to 1935, age 23 to 25.
- In 1935, he was called as the secretary of the Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee of the Church.
- He married Marjorie Pay on April 29, 1937 in the Salt Lake Temple.
- In 1937 he as called to serve on the Sunday School Union General board. He served in this capacity until 1946.
- In 1946 he was called as a counselor in the East Mill Creek Stake presidency, and in 1956 he was called to serve as the president of that stake. President Hinckley was a 3rd-generation stake president, his father and grandfather having served as stake residents. During his presidency, a new stake center was built and a large welfare farm was developed.
- He was called to serve as the general secretary of the Church Missionary Committee in 1951.
- In 1954 he was asked to prepare materials in various languages for use in the temples throughout the Church.
- On April 6, 1958 he was called to serve as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve (age 47).
- On October 5, 1961 he was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve (age 51).
- On July 23, 1981 he was sustained as an additional counselor in the First Presidency, serving with Presidents Kimball, Romney, and Tanner (age 71).
- President Hinckley was called as 2nd counselor to President Kimball on December 2, 1982.
- He served as 1st counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson from November 10, 1985 to May 30, 1994.
- He served as 1st counselor to President Howard W. Hunter from June 5, 1994 to March 3, 1995.
- President Hinckley was ordained and set apart as the 15th president of the Church on March 12, 1995 (age 84), after serving 14 years as a counselor in the First Presidency and 20 years in the Quorum of the Twelve. Except for a short period during World War II, he has worked as an employee or General Authority of the Church on a full-time basis since completing his mission in 1935.
- In addition to his church duties, President Hinckley has been active in community and business affairs, serving as chairman and board member of a number of business corporations. He has been the recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award from Southern Utah University, Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Utah, and Honorary doctorates from Westminster College, Utah State University, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Southern Utah University.
- He has received the Silver Buffalo Award of the Boy Scouts of America.
- He and his wife Marjorie were blessed with 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters.
- More information about President Gordon B. Hinckley can be seen by clicking here.
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