Gordon B. Hinckley
Timeline of Life Events
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Bryant S. Hinckley and Ada Bitner.
Baptized by his father, the first future prophet baptized in a meetinghouse font.
Graduated from the University of Utah, having studied English and journalism.
As a missionary in Britain, received a letter from his father with the advice “forget yourself and go to work.”
Hired as executive secretary of the Church's recently formed Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature committee.
Married Marjorie Pay in the Salt Lake Temple.
Called to Deseret Sunday School Union general board.
Rejected by the Navy because of his allergies; contributed to the World War II effort by working in the railroad industry.
Called as counselor in the East Millcreek Stake presidency.
Assisted in introducing uniform missionary lessons while working on the General Missionary committee.
Supervised the making of the first temple film, dubbed into multiple languages for use in the Bern Switzerland Temple.
Called as president of the East Millcreek Stake.
Sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve.
Ordained as an Apostle by President David O. McKay.
With his wife, Marjorie, made the first of many trips to Asia as an Apostle.
Met with Hirohito, emperor of Japan, in San Francisco.
Participated in the meeting in which the Twelve received a confirmation of President Kimball's revelation on the priesthood.
From the site of the Church's founding in Fayette, New York, read a statement for satellite broadcast commemorating the Church's 150th anniversary.
Called as an additional counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball to assist the President and his two counselors.
Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Called as First Counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson.
Called as First Counselor to President Howard W. Hunter.
Became President of the Church.
Issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” during the general Relief Society meeting.
Appeared on the CBS program 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace.
Visited Saints in Mexico, the Philippines, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Dedicated the Hong Kong China Temple, the first of more than 70 temples to be dedicated during his presidency.
Announced the establishment of LDS Charities to enhance the Church's worldwide humanitarian outreach.
Visited Saints in Central America, South America, Australia, and the Pacific.
Organized three additional Quorums of the Seventy.
Announced a plan for smaller temples to be built where appropriate.
Visited Saints in Africa, Canada, and around the world.
Warned against rising consumer debt.
Called on the Church to integrate new members better.
Shared “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.”
Presided at first general conference held in the new Conference Center.
Dedicated the Palmyra New York Temple.
Prayed for the youth of the Church during a special fireside.
Announced the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund.
Welcomed visitors from around the world to Salt Lake City during the Winter Olympics.
Dedicated the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.
Visited Saints in Russia and Ukraine.
Addressed local leaders through the first worldwide leadership training broadcast.
Spoke to one million Primary children via satellite broadcast to celebrate the Primary’s 125th anniversary.
Gave his 200th general conference talk.
Death of Marjorie Pay Hinckley.
Celebrated his 95th birthday with a special program in the Conference Center.
Went on his last major international trip, visiting Saints in Asia and Africa.
Was hospitalized for the first time in his life.
Had served 12 years with his counselors, Presidents Monson and Faust, the longest-serving First Presidency in Church history.
Announced that Church membership had surpassed 13 million and that the one-millionth missionary had served since the Church was organized.
Pled with Church members to be slow to anger.
Died in Salt Lake City, Utah.