Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon B. Hinckley
15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12) – January 27, 2008 (2008-01-27)
Predecessor	Howard W. Hunter
Successor	Thomas S. Monson
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with Boyd K. Packer as Acting President)
June 5, 1994 (1994-06-05) – March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12)
Predecessor	Howard W. Hunter
Successor	Thomas S. Monson
End reason	Became President of the Church
First Counselor in the First Presidency
June 5, 1994 (1994-06-05) – March 3, 1995 (1995-03-03)
Called by	Howard W. Hunter
Successor	Thomas S. Monson
End reason	Dissolution of First Presidency on the death of Hunter
First Counselor in the First Presidency
November 10, 1985 (1985-11-10) – May 30, 1994 (1994-05-30)
Called by	Ezra Taft Benson
Predecessor	Marion G. Romney
End reason	Dissolution of First Presidency on the death of Benson
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
December 2, 1982 (1982-12-02) – November 5, 1985 (1985-11-05)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
Predecessor	Marion G. Romney
Successor	Thomas S. Monson
End reason	Dissolution of First Presidency on the death of Kimball
Counselor in the First Presidency
July 23, 1981 (1981-07-23) – December 2, 1982 (1982-12-02)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
End reason	Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 5, 1961 (1961-10-05) – July 23, 1981 (1981-07-23)
Called by	David O. McKay
End reason	Called as a Counselor in the First Presidency
LDS Church Apostle
October 5, 1961 (1961-10-05) – January 27, 2008 (2008-01-27)
Called by	David O. McKay
Reason	Hugh B. Brown added to First Presidency
Reorganization at end of term	D. Todd Christofferson ordained
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 6, 1958 (1958-04-06) – October 5, 1961 (1961-10-05)
Called by	David O. McKay
End reason	Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Personal details
Born	Gordon Bitner Hinckley (1910-06-23)June 23, 1910 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Died	January 27, 2008(2008-01-27) (aged 97) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′28″N 111°51′49″W / 40.774497°N 111.86348°W / 40.774497; -111.86348
Alma mater	University of Utah (BA)
Spouse(s)	Marjorie Pay ​ ​ (m. 1937; died 2004)​
Children	5; including Virginia
Awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom Silver Buffalo Award
Website	gordonbhinckley.org
Signature

Gordon Bitner Hinckley (June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008) was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from March 1995 until his death in January 2008 at age 97.^[1] Considered a prophet, seer, and revelator by church members, Hinckley was the oldest person to preside over the church in its history until Russell M. Nelson surpassed his age in 2022.^[2][3]

Hinckley's presidency was noted for the building of temples, with more than half of existing temples being built under his leadership.^[4] He also oversaw the reconstruction of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and the building of the 21,000 seat Conference Center. During his tenure, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was issued and the Perpetual Education Fund was established. At the time of his death, approximately one-third of the church's membership had joined the church under Hinckley's leadership.

Hinckley was awarded ten honorary doctorate degrees, and in 2004 the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush. He also received the Boy Scouts of America's highest award, the Silver Buffalo, and served as chairman of the Church Boards of Trustees/Education.^[5] Hinckley died of natural causes on January 27, 2008. His wife, Marjorie Pay, died in 2004. He was succeeded as church president by Thomas S. Monson, who had served as his first counselor in the First Presidency, and, more importantly, was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; according to LDS doctrine and practice, Monson was Hinckley's anticipated successor.