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Milestones in the life of Gordon B. Hinckley

The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 01/27/2008 09:06:34 PM MST

Posted: 9:05 PM- Born June 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City, a son of Bryant S. and Ada Bitner Hinckley.
Graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in classical languages (Greek and Latin).
LDS mission to the British Isles in Great Britain, 1933-35. During his mission, he received an assignment to serve as a special assistant to Apostle Joseph F. Merrill, then head of the church's European Mission.
After returning from his mission, Hinckley was appointed by LDS Church President Heber J. Grant as secretary of the church's newly organized Radio, Publicity and Mission Literature Committee.
Married Marjorie Pay April 29, 1937, in the Salt Lake Temple.
During World War II, he served as assistant stationmaster of the Salt Lake Union Depot and Railway Company and later the Salt Lake City-based stationmaster for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company before returning to church employment after the war.
Called as president of the East Mill Creek LDS Stake in 1956.
Ordained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 5, 1961, at age 51.
In July 1981, Church President Spencer W. Kimball called Hinckley to serve as an additional counselor in the First Presidency. Kimball's other counselors, N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney, both were in poor health. Following Tanner's death in 1982, Romney became first counselor, and Hinckley was second counselor.
President Ezra Taft Benson, who succeeded Kimball in 1985, called on Hinckley to serve as his first counselor.
President Howard W. Hunter, who succeeded Benson in June 1994, retained Hinckley as his first counselor.
On March 12, 1995, 84-year-old Hinckley was ordained as church president after Hunter's death on March 3, 1995.
Hinckley publicly announced the church's statement on morality known as "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" at General Relief Society meeting on Sept. 23, 1995.
In January 1996, the church said that LDS general authorities would no longer serve on business boards.
In a break with church leaders' past avoidance of direct media contact, Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" interviews Hinckley on the CBS TV show on April 7, 1996.
In April 1997, Hinckley becomes the first LDS Church leader to speak at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People conference.
On July 22, 1997, Hinckley addresses 50,000 people at This Is The Place Monument and State Park as the commemorative Mormon Trail Wagon Train enters Salt Lake City.
Aug. 4, 1997 Time magazine cover story, "Mormons Inc.," reported the church had a minimum of $30 billion in assets and an annual gross income of $6 billion - more than Utah's state budget that year.
During the October 1997 General Conference in Salt Lake City, Hinckley announces plans to build smaller than usual temples around the world.
In November 1997, the LDS Church tops 10 million members worldwide with more members outside the U.S.
In February 1998, Hinckley becomes the first church leader to ever visit sub-Saharan Africa, including stops in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Hinckley and then-Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini on Dec. 1, 1998, announce the LDS Church will purchase part of Main Street, setting off a divisive, vitriolic debate about the church's dominance of the city.
April 6, 2000, Hinckley dedicates the church's 77th temple in Palmyra, N.Y., birthplace of Mormonism, on its 170th anniversary.
April 9, 2000, Hinckley addresses the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
June 2000 is a banner month for Hinckley, who marks his 90th birthday by inviting 21,000 guests to an evening of music at the new LDS Conference Center - and sees his inspirational book, Standing for Something , make Publisher's Weekly Top 10 Best-Seller list.
April 2001, Hinckley announces the establishment of the Perpetual Education Fund, a loan program to help LDS returned missionaries in Third World Countries get an education.
Sept. 2001, Hinckley joined two dozen religious leaders at the White House to give their blessing to President Bush's campaign to eradicate terrorism. The 27 religious leaders, representing Roman Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and others, met with Bush privately in the White House for more than an hour, praying with him and singing "God Bless America."
For 17 golden days in February 2002, the world came to Salt Lake City's doorstep with the Winter Olympic Games. Hinckley greeted visiting dignitaries, passed on the Olympic torch, enjoyed a front row seat at the Opening Ceremonies and even took in a few sporting events (he was reportedly dazzled by the snow boarders).
June 27, 2002, Hinckley dedicates the newly reconstructed Nauvoo, Ill., temple on the spot where the faith's original temple stood. The old Nauvoo temple was a 60-room, 50,000-square-foot structure overlooking the Mississippi River that was dedicated in 1846, only to be destroyed by an arson fire and tornado two years later.
July 2002, Hinckley publishes a book aimed at teens, "Way to Be: Nine Ways to Be Happy and Make Something of Your Life," also published by Simon and Schuster.
Just as the Iraq war was getting under way in April 2003, Hinckley tells the Mormon faithful that the war is just, but members should respect the views of those who disagreed.
Jan. 24, 2004, Hinckley and his two counselors issue a statement that "the carrying of lethal weapons, concealed or otherwise, within [the church's] walls is inappropriate except as required by officers of the law."
He dedicates the church's first temple in West Africa in Accra, Ghana.
April 6, Hinckley's companion of 67 years, his wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, dies.
Receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush on June 23, 2004, the same day as Pope John Paul II, golfer Arnold Palmer and actress Doris Day.
July 24, 2005, Hinckley presides over a lively celebration of Joseph Smith's 200th birthday by thousands of LDS teens gathered at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah.
Aug. 11, 2005, he celebrates his 95th birthday with another large musical event at the Conference Center, with Mike Wallace narrating his life story, then leaves on a whirlwind, round-the-world trip, stopping in 11 countries.
Jan. 24, 2006, Hinckley undergoes surgery to remove a cancerous growth in his colon.
Nov. 2, 2006, Hinckley becomes the oldest LDS president in history at 96 years and 133 days, just passing David O. McKay, who died in 1970.
Aug, 10, 2007, Hinckley loses his long-time friend and counselor, James E. Faust.
-- Sources: Tribune archives, "LDS Church Almanac" and Sheri Dew's biography, "Go Forward With Faith."


The Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley was the first prophet that I felt personally influenced by. I enjoyed his drive for temples and the way he addressed the church. I could feel his sincerity and love when he talked. I will miss him, but I also have always liked Thomas S. Monson. He tells good stories.

Ice climbing is cool

HAPPY NEW YEAR!