Gordon B. Hinckley, Mormon Leader, Is Dead at 97
Gordon B. Hinckley, the president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who led Mormonism through a period of global expansion, died Sunday at his apartment in Salt Lake City. He was 97.
The church, which announced his death on its Web site, said a successor to Mr. Hinckley was not expected to be formally chosen until after his funeral.
Mr. Hinckley spent 46 years in the church’s top leadership ranks, nearly 13 of those as its 15th president, and became the its oldest president.
In a faith that is relatively young, founded in 1830, Mr. Hinckley’s impact was formative.
He traveled to 60 countries and dedicated 95 of the church’s 124 temples, some on sites that he himself had surveyed and selected. Wherever he went, he drew large crowds of church members waving white handkerchiefs, a sign of affection that began in Chile and spread.
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The church, which announced his death on its Web site, said a successor to Mr. Hinckley was not expected to be formally chosen until after his funeral.
Mr. Hinckley spent 46 years in the church’s top leadership ranks, nearly 13 of those as its 15th president, and became the its oldest president.
In a faith that is relatively young, founded in 1830, Mr. Hinckley’s impact was formative.
He traveled to 60 countries and dedicated 95 of the church’s 124 temples, some on sites that he himself had surveyed and selected. Wherever he went, he drew large crowds of church members waving white handkerchiefs, a sign of affection that began in Chile and spread.