| President Gordon Hinckley and Senator Orrin Hatch. |
Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement upon news of the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley. He was a beloved Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His life was a true testament of service, and he had an abiding love for others. 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.
“He was an articulate leader and defender of our Christian principles; and had a unique gift and way about him to communicate with people from all walks of life, and all religious persuasions. I truly loved this wonderful man. I know that he is happily reunited with his sweet wife, Marjorie, who he has greatly missed. I am sure there is a loving reunion in heaven with Marjorie and with so many others with whom he has served. Elaine and I feel deeply privileged to have known such a remarkable man and been touched in so many ways by his life and example.”
Senate President’s statement on the passing of President Hinckley.
John L. Valentine, President of the Utah State Senate, posted the following on the Senate Site:
“Karen and I were heartbroken to hear of the passing of this great leader, wonderful man, and servant of God. He inspired us to be kinder and more compassionate in our daily lives. We will remember him not only as a man of God but as a world leader. His words and his legacy will continue to bless and encourage all of us for generations to come.
“As Utahns, we were incredibly fortunate to hear one of President Hinckley’s final public addresses when he rededicated the newly restored State Capitol Building on Jan. 4. May we all rededicate ourselves to all the good he left us by word and example.”
Statement from University President Michael K. Young on the passing of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley
The University of Utah family joins with millions worldwide who mourn the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a cherished alumnus of the U. Citizens of all nations will miss his great faith and boundless energy, his vision and spiritual resonance, and his compassion and gentle good humor. Truly the world is poorer today because of his passing.
President Hinckley leaves behind a rich legacy of courage and compassion. I saw these characteristics in action while I served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. On countless occasions President Hinckley shared his personal conviction that all people be afforded the right of thought, conscience and belief. Such was the power of his conviction that hearts were changed and decisions were made that furthered religious freedom around the globe.
A graduate of the University of Utah in 1932, President Hinckley was awarded an honorary doctorate from his beloved U 60 years later in 1992. To honor his contributions to education and his passion for literature, the University, through the College of Humanities and with the generous support of his family and many caring friends, established the Gordon B. Hinckley Endowment in British Studies. This endowment supports the annual Gordon B. Hinckley Lecture in British Studies, and the Gordon B. Hinckley Professorship in British Literature and Culture.
President Hinckley was a great friend to the University of Utah and to many of us personally. We are heartbroken by his passing, but find in his 1998 commencement address prophetically fitting words to describe the life of this true gentleman: “My message to you today…is that you resolve to dedicate a part of your time…to those in distress and need, with no consideration of recompense. It will not be enough to be an able lawyer, a man of medicine, a skilled architect, a proficient engineer, or whatever. There will be the need for another dimension in your life-that of reaching down to someone who may be in distress to offer your strong hands to lift him up.” Gordon B. Hinckley spent a lifetime reaching down to lift others up. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with all those will feel so deeply the loss of this great man.