The Passing of an Era and a Legend

President Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has passed away at age 97, and with his passing brings the end of a remarkable era in Church history.

Pres. Hinckley was born June 23, 1910 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Bryant Stringham and Ada Bitner Hinckley. He began his tremendous Church service as a young missionary serving in the British Isles from 1933-1935. Upon return he began work with the LDS Church's new Radio, Publicity and Mission Literature Committee. This was a spark in a life-long journey in the field of publicity.

In 1937, he married Marjorie Pay in the Salt Lake Temple. They have five children and twenty-five grandchildren. Marjorie Pay Hinckley passed away in 2004 during Conference Weekend, at age 92, which left Pres. Hinckley in mourning. They had been married for nearly 70 years. Just prior to her passing, Pres. Hinckley commented,

"Now, my brothers and sisters, I reluctantly desire a personal indulgence for a moment. Some of you have noticed the absence of Sister Hinckley. For the first time in 46 years, since I became a General Authority, she has not attended general conference. Earlier this year we were in Africa to dedicate the Accra Ghana Temple. On leaving there we flew to Sal, a barren island in the Atlantic, where we met with members of a local branch. We then flew to St. Thomas, an island in the Caribbean. There we met with a few others of our members. We were on our way home when she collapsed with weariness. She's had a difficult time ever since. She's now 92, a little younger than I am. I guess the clock is winding down, and we do not know how to rewind it.

"It is a somber time for me. We've been married for 67 years this month. She is the mother of our five gifted and able children, the grandmother of 25 grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren. We've walked together side by side through all of these years, coequals and companions through storm and sunshine." (view source)

President Hinckley was called as an Apostle in 1961 and later into the First Presidency of the Church under President Spencer W. Kimball in 1981. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency also under Presidents Ezra Taft Benson (1899 - 1994) and Howard W Hunter (1907 - 1995). Shortly after the death of Pres. Hunter, Gordon was ordained, and sustained by the members of the Church, as its 15th President.

As President of the Church, his accomplishments were remarkable. He traveled to over 60 nations across the globe to share his warmth and spirit to members everywhere. He more than doubled the number of active temples in the span of three short years, reaching numbers above 100 working temples. He continued his work as a publicist in the realm of Church service, interviewing with Larry King, Mike Wallace and others.

But most importantly, President Gordon B. Hinckley left a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of Church members everywhere. His testimony of faith and humility were a beacon to all who witnessed his humbly triumphant life. Obedience and faithful service was his message to all. And now, with the passing of an era and a legend, each of us will retain the echo in our minds, in our hearts, and in our souls to "stand a little taller."