NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon Bitner Hinckley (born June 23, 1910) has been the fifteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since March 12, 1995. He is the oldest person to preside over the LDS Church in its history.^[1] As president of the LDS Church, he is considered by its members to be a prophet, seer, and revelator. His administration has been noted for the building of new temples and the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund. If you hold the copyright to an image (e. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. ... For other uses, see Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (disambiguation). ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Howard William Hunter (November 14, 1907 â€“ March 3, 1995) was the fourteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1994-1995), and served the shortest amount of time of any Church president to date (nine months). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1065x800, 99 KB) Summary Christus statue on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah Taken by Ricardo630 in August 2005 Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday [1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... In the Latter Day Saint movement, the President of the Church is generally considered to be the highest office of the church. ... For other uses, see Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (disambiguation). ... is the 71st day of the year (72nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... The early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is shared by the larger Latter Day Saint movement, which originated in upstate New York under the leadership of Joseph Smith, Jr. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ... Prophet, seer, and revelator is an ecclesiastical title used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is applied to the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. ... The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ... The Perpetual Education Fund is a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 31, 2001. ...

Hinckley also serves as chairman of the Church Board of Education and Board of Trustees that governs the Church Educational System.^[1] The Church Educational System (CES) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for Latter-day Saint elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult learners. ... The Church Educational System (CES) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for Latter-day Saint elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult learners. ...

Biography

Early years

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah to prominent Latter-day Saint writer and educator Bryant S. Hinckley and Ada Bitner, Hinckley completed high school in 1928. After attending the University of Utah, Hinckley became a missionary for the LDS Church, an unusual occurrence for Depression-era Latter-day Saints. He served in the London-based British Mission from 1933 to 1935. The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Salt Lake Citys top tourist draw. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... A Latter-day Saint is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ... Bryant Stringham Hinckley (July 9, 1867â€“June 5, 1961) was an American author, religious speaker, civic leader and educator. ... For other uses, see High school (disambiguation). ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU), located in Salt Lake City, is the flagship public research university in the state of Utah, and one of 10 institutions that make up the Utah System of Higher Education. ... It has been suggested that Senior Missionaries be merged into this article or section. ... The Great Depression was a global economic slump that began in 1929 and bottomed in 1933. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ...

Work for the church

Hinckley returned to the United States in 1935 after having completed a short tour of the European continent, including preaching in both Berlin and Paris. He was given an assignment by his mission president, Joseph F. Merrill, to meet with the First Presidency of the church and request that better materials be made available to missionaries for proselytizing purposes. Out of this meeting Hinckley received a job as executive secretary of the Radio, Publicity and Missionary Literature Committee of the church (he had received schooling as a journalist in college). Hinckley's responsibilities included developing the church's fledgling radio broadcasts and making use of the era's new communication technologies. Starting in 1937, he also served on the Sunday School General Board. After the Second World War Hinckley served as executive secretary to the Missionary Committee of the church. He also served as the church's liaison to Deseret Book, working with Deseret Book's liaison to the church, Thomas S. Monson.^[2] This article is about the capital of Germany. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a Mission President is a man who presides over a mission, and the group of missionaries, in the mission. ... Joseph Francis Merrill (1868â€“1952) was born August 24, 1868 in Richmond, Utah. ... Thomas S. Monson, Gordon B. Hinckley, and James E. Faust, the recent members of the First Presidency of the LDS Church. ... For other uses, see Journalist (disambiguation). ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sunday School is an official auxiliary organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... Deseret Book is the largest Latter-day Saint book publisher and also owns a chain of LDS bookstores in the western United States. ... Thomas S. Monson Thomas Spencer Monson (born August 21, 1927) holds two of the most senior positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

In the early 1950s, Hinckley was part of a committee that considered how to present the temple ordinances at the Swiss Temple. The concern was how this could be done when there would be a need to provide them in at least ten languages, eventually solving the problem through the use of film.^[3] Hinckley's extensive background in journalism and public relations prepared him well to preside over the Church during a time when it has received increasing media coverage. In Mormonism, an ordinance is a religious ritual of special significance, often involving the formation of a covenant with God. ... The Bern Switzerland Temple (formerly the Swiss Temple) is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes called the LDS Church). ...

Family

On April 29, 1937, Hinckley married Marjorie Pay (November 23, 1911–April 6, 2004) in the Salt Lake Temple. They had been married for nearly 67 years at the time of her death. They are the parents of five children, including Richard G. Hinckley, a member of the LDS Church's First Quorum of the Seventy, and Virginia Hinckley Pearce, a former member of the general presidency of the church's Young Women organization. is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 96th day of the year (97th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Salt Lake Temple is the largest (of more than 120) and best-known temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Richard Gordon Hinckley (b. ... The Quorums of the Seventy are area and General Authorities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Virginia Hinckley Pearce (b. ... The Young Women Organization (often referred to incorrectly as Young Womens or Young Womans) is a youth organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

General authority

In 1958, Hinckley became a general authority of the LDS Church in the now-discontinued position of Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In 1961 he became an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the church. Jan. ... In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a general authority is a member of a select body of approximately 100 men with administrative and ecclesiastical authority in the church. ... Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, commonly shortened to Assistant to the Twelve or Assistant to the Twelve Apostles, was a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1941 and 1976. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... In Mormonism, an Apostle is a special witness of the name of Christ who is sent to teach the principles of salvation to others. ... The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS Church. ...

Member of First Presidency

On July 23, 1981, Hinckley became a counselor in the First Presidency. As the 1980s progressed, the health of both President Spencer W. Kimball and his aging counselors N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney led to Hinckley's being the only healthy member of the First Presidency. When Tanner died in 1982, Romney succeeded him as first counselor and Hinckley succeeded Romney as second counselor in the First Presidency. Because of the ill health of Kimball and Romney, Hinckley was involved in much of the day-to-day affairs of running the church.^{[citation needed]} is the 204th day of the year (205th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Thomas S. Monson, Gordon B. Hinckley, and James E. Faust, the recent members of the First Presidency of the LDS Church. ... The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... Spencer Woolley Kimball (March 28, 1895 â€“ November 5, 1985) was the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1973-1985). ... Nathan Eldon Tanner (May 9, 1898-November 27, 1982) was a high-ranking leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Marion George Romney (September 19, 1897-May 20, 1988) was a high-ranking official of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ...

During this time period, several controversial documents purporting to be Mormon historical documents began to surface, and Hinckley oversaw the purchase of some of these documents. The documents—one of which was the Salamander letter—turned out to be forgeries by Mark Hofmann. Because of his responsibility to oversee the purchase of historical documents for the LDS Church, Hinckley became a key figure in the investigation of Hofmann. This article is about the history and use of the word Mormon. For information about the religious beliefs and culture of Mormons, see Mormonism. ... The Salamander Letter was one of hundreds of documents concerning the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon) that surfaced in the early 1980s. ... Mark William Hofmann (born 7 December 1954), a disaffected member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a prolific counterfeiter who murdered two people in Salt Lake City, Utah. ...

After Kimball's death in November 1985, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Ezra Taft Benson became church president and named Hinckley his first counselor. Fellow-apostle Thomas S. Monson was named second counselor, and, for a while, all three members of the First Presidency were able to perform their duties. This article is about the year. ... President Thomas S. Monson Acting President Boyd K. Packer President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Ezra Taft Benson (August 4, 1899 â€“ May 30, 1994) was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1985 until his death. ... Thomas S. Monson Thomas Spencer Monson (born August 21, 1927) holds two of the most senior positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

In the early 1990s, however, Benson developed serious health problems that removed him from public view, and Hinckley again carried out many of the duties of the President of the Church until Benson died in 1994. After Benson's death, Howard W. Hunter became church president and chose Hinckley and Monson as his counselors; at the same time, Hinckley became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by virtue of seniority. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Howard William Hunter (November 14, 1907 â€“ March 3, 1995) was the fourteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1994-1995), and served the shortest amount of time of any Church president to date (nine months). ...

During the years of declining health for both Kimball and Benson, Hinckley dedicated several temples for the church. He had dedicated nearly half of the LDS Church temples worldwide when he became president of the church.^{[citation needed]} The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ...

President of the Church

When Hunter died after a presidency of only nine months, Hinckley succeeded to the presidency of the church at the age of 84. On November 2, 2006, Hinckley surpassed David O. McKay to become the oldest president in church history.^[4] is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... David Oman McKay (September 8, 1873 â€“ January 18, 1970) was the ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church; see also Mormon), serving from 1951 until his death in 1970. ...

Hinckley is known for his aggressive building of temples. Currently there are 124 operating temples, 9 under construction, and 4 announced (not yet under construction). Before he became president in 1995 there were 47 temples in the church. Over two-thirds of all LDS Church temples were dedicated by Hinckley.^{[citation needed]} Hinckley has also overseen other significant building projects, including the construction of the Conference Center and extensive renovations of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The Salt Lake Temple, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the best-known Mormon temple. ... A convention center is a large, cavernous public building with enough open space to host public and private business and social events for the surrounding municipal and metropolitan areas. ... The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located in Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple. ...

On September 23, 1995, Hinckley released The Family: A Proclamation to the World, a statement of belief and counsel regarding the sanctity of family and marriage prepared by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.^[5]. is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... The Family: A Proclamation to the World is a statement issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1995, which defined the churchs official position on gender roles, human sexuality, and the family. ...

In February 1996, church membership in countries other than the United States surpassed that of the U.S. membership.^{[citation needed]} Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ...

On March 31, 2001, he announced the Perpetual Education Fund, a large endowment that provides loans to students in developing nations.^[6] is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... The Perpetual Education Fund is a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 31, 2001. ...

On October 22, 2002, Hinckley participated in the dedication of the Gordon B. Hinckley Building at Brigham Young University–Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. This was the first building at BYU–Idaho to be named for a living person.^{[citation needed]} is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Brigham Young Universityâ€“Idaho (BYUâ€“Idaho or BYUâ€“I) is a four-year college owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... Rexburg is a city in Madison County, Idaho, in the United States. ...

In April 2003, Hinckley gave an important speech in which he addressed the Bush administration's war in Iraq. He said "... as citizens we are all under the direction of our respective national leaders. They have access to greater political and military intelligence than do the people generally," adding, "Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people, committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy." He also noted that "It may even be that He will hold us responsible if we try to impede or hedge up the way of those who are involved in a contest with forces of evil and repression."^[7] Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In March 2005, Hinckley, together with Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust, celebrated their tenth anniversary as the First Presidency—the first time in the history of the church that a First Presidency had continued for such a period of time without personnel changes. Thomas S. Monson Thomas Spencer Monson (born August 21, 1927) holds two of the most senior positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... James E. Faust James Esdras Faust (July 31, 1920 â€“ August 10, 2007) was an American religious leader, lawyer, and politician. ...

On January 24, 2006, Hinckley underwent surgery to remove cancerous growths from his large intestine.^[8] is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In June 2006, Hinckley traveled to Iowa City, Iowa to speak at a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the start of the Mormon handcart companies. On 23 June 2006—his 96th birthday—Hinckley participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah for a new building that was to be named in his honor. The building was named the "Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center" and was completed and dedicated on Hinckley's 97th birthday.^[9] Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. ... // A statue commemorating Mormon handcart pioneers on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah The Mormon handcart pioneers were participants in the migration of members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church) to Salt Lake City, Utah, who used handcarts... , Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU), located in Provo, Utah, is the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church) and is THE university in Utah. ... Provo is a city in Utah and the county seat of Utah County, located about 35 miles south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. ... Currently under construction, the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni & Visitors Center will provide a front gate building to the Brigham Young University campus in Provo, UT. Interest in Brigham Young University is at an all-time high, as thousands currently visit the campus every year. ...

On March 31, 2007, Hinckley rededicated the Salt Lake Tabernacle after extensive renovation.^[10] is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located in Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple. ...

Awards

On 23 June 2004 (Hinckley's 94th birthday), U.S. President George W. Bush awarded Hinckley the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House. The press release put forth by the White House stated:^[11] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... The Presidential Medal of Freedom The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the two highest civilian awards in the United States and is bestowed by the President of the United States (the other award which is considered its equivalent is the Congressional Gold Medal, which is bestowed by an... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... A news release or press release is a written or recorded communication directed at members of the news media for the purpose of announcing something claimed as having news value. ...

Hinckley has received many educational honors, including 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, and has been honored by the National Conference for his contributions to tolerance and understanding in the world. Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU), located in Salt Lake City, is the flagship public research university in the state of Utah, and one of 10 institutions that make up the Utah System of Higher Education. ... Westminster College, Salt Lake City, or simply Westminster College is a four year accredited liberal arts college located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. It also offers four graduate programs. ... Utah State University (USU) is a land-grant university whose main campus is located in Logan, Utah. ... The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU), located in Salt Lake City, is the flagship public research university in the state of Utah, and one of 10 institutions that make up the Utah System of Higher Education. ... , Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU), located in Provo, Utah, is the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church) and is THE university in Utah. ... The Silver Buffalo Award is the highest service award of the Boy Scouts of America. ... For the Boy Scouting program within the BSA, see Boy Scouting (Boy Scouts of America). ... The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference is the largest political party in Jammu and Kashmir, India. ...

Contents

Biography

Early years

Work for the church

Family

General authority

Member of First Presidency

President of the Church

Awards

Further reading

Publications

See also

Notes

External links