Mormon church president Hinckley dies at 97

[MedicCook]

Mormon church president Hinckley dies at 97
He was Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ longest-serving leader


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SALT LAKE CITY - Gordon B. Hinckley, the longest-serving president of the Mormon church who presided over one of the greatest periods of expansion in its history, died Sunday, a church spokesman said. He was 97.

Hinckley, the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died because of complications from age and was surrounded by his family.

"His life was a true testament of service, and he had an abiding love for others," said U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and fellow Mormon. "His wit, wisdom, and exemplary leadership will be missed by not only members of our faith, but by people of all faiths throughout the world."

Hinckley had been diagnosed with diabetes and was hospitalized in January 2006 for the removal of a cancerous growth in his large intestine. In April 2006, he told a church conference he was in the "sunset of my life" and "totally in the hands of the Lord."

By unfailing tradition, at a church president's death, the church's most senior apostle is ordained within days on a unanimous vote of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. The most long-serving apostle now is Thomas S. Monson.

The church presidency is a lifetime position. Before Hinckley, the oldest church president was David O. McKay who was 96 when he died in 1970.

Hinckley, a grandson of Mormon pioneers, was president for nearly 13 years. He took over as president and prophet on March 12, 1995 and oversaw one of the greatest periods of expansion in church history. The number of temples worldwide more than doubled, from 49 to more than 120 and church membership grew from about 9 million to more than 12 million.

Rest of article (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22873523)

[HLBiteME!]

Whoa, I was just thinking about when this would happen 15 minutes before I checked the computer. We were talking about him yesterday in church. Sad news, but he led a full life, and is off to a better place. I never really got to know too much about him.

[MedicCook]

97 years old. That is one long time to be alive.

[MedicCook]

Romney responds to death of LDS president

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) –Mitt Romney expressed sadness Monday over the death of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church.

“We will miss him as a family, respect him as a man of great character and courage, but particularly his humility and ability to touch the lives of each individual is something for which he will long be noted,” Romney said.

Romney met with Hinckley in Salt Lake City, the home of the Mormon Church, when deciding whether to run for president. “[I] told him that our family was going to be thinking about running for president and he smiled and said it would be great experience if you won and a great experience if you lost.”

Romney said that he did not have a personal relationship with Hinckley until he approached him when running the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City for a donation from the Church and use of the vast amounts of property the Church owns. “I met with him probably three or four times along with his counselors, made my requests, most of them were approved. Some were denied.”

Romney has been questioned about his religion constantly during his campaign for the presidency, even making a major address in November to allay concerns about his faith that remains a mystery for some Americans.

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