Facts about President Gordon B. Hinckley
How blessed we are to be led by inspired prophets in these latter-days. We mourned the passing of one of our beloved leaders, our sorrow is tempered by the assurance that we will be guided by yet another of the Lord’s chosen leaders. It is reassuring to know that our leaders are men of sound judgment, great spiritual insight, and that they have presided in the leading councils of our church for many years. Such has definitely been the case with Presidents Hinckley, Monson, Nelson, and Oaks. We love and sustain these great leaders, having watched their remarkable service to the church, to its members, and to the Lord for many years.
Following are some interesting facts and insights into the leadership and experience of President Gordon B. Hinckley, as presented by Trent Toone.
Gordon Bitner Hinckley, 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ, was born in Salt Lake City On June 23, 1910. After graduating from the University of Utah, he was called on a mission to Great Britain. His service in the European Mission marked a significant turning point in his life (‘forget yourself and go to work’). Upon retuning, he married Marjorie Pay and embarked on a lifetime of Church service. As the executive secretary of the Church’s Radio, Publicity, and Literature committee, he produced influential missionary materials and managed the daily operation of the Missionary Department. Under President David O. McKay’s direction, he oversaw the production of the temple endowment on film, enabling it to be presented in multiple languages. After serving as president of the East Mill Creek Stake, Elder Hinckley was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 5, 1961. He later served as a counselor to Presidents Kimball, Benson, and Hunter. On March 12, 1995, he was set apart as the President of the Church. To make Temple blessings more accessible to church members., President Hinckley announced plans to build smaller temples worldwide, increasing their number from 51 in 1998 to over 120 by 2006. President Hinckley traveled 250,000 miles across 58 countries to teach members. He introduced “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and established the Perpetual Education Fund. With the Church having grown out of the Salt Lake Tabernacle, President Hinckley announced and later dedicated the 21,000-seat Conference Center in 2000. That year, he also dedicated the Church’s 100th temple in Boston, Massachusetts; he dedicated the new Nauvoo Illinois Temple in 2002. President Hinckley counseled Church members to fellowship new converts, befriend those of other faiths, and live exemplary lives. President Hinckley died at his home in Salt Lake City on January 27, 2008, at the age of 97.
Click here to return to the Prophets menu
Click here to return to the Apostles Menu page
Click here to return to the Main Menu page