Dedication is a prominent trait in the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley. For the past 13 years he has dedicated his life to service in the First Presidency, and now is first counselor to President Howard W. Hunter.
Temple dedications have been one hallmark of President Hinckley's service in the First Presidency.He dedicated the Atlanta Georgia Temple on June 1, 1983. Since then, he has dedicated 21 others, nearly half of all those in use in the Church today. He also rededicated four existing temples - Manti, Alberta, Swiss and London - after they were remodeled.
His dedication to the work of the Lord took its current direction in July 1981 when he was called to be a counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball. He later became President Kimball's second counselor and was called to be first counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson on Nov. 10, 1985.
Toward the end of President Kimball's administration, when he and his first counselor, President Marion G. Romney, were in ill health, President Hinckley was given more responsibilities. He again received added responsibility as President Benson's health began to fail.
President Hinckley has lived up to the words he spoke when first called to the First Presidency: "In this Church we serve where we are called to serve. It is an honor and a privilege to be of any assistance to the president of the Church and his able counselors."
President Hinckley's full-time service in the Church began shortly after he returned from his mission to the British Isles. In 1935, with a degree from the University of Utah in English, he became executive secretary of the Church Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee. He went on to perform an important role in the development of the Church's public communications through filmstrips, motion pictures and radio spots.
In 1951, he was called as executive secretary of the General Missionary Committee and managed the entire missionary program for seven years.
He is chairman of the board of Bonneville International Corporation.
He served on the Sunday School general board from 1937-46, then as a counselor in the East Mill Creek Stake presidency and eventually president of the stake from 1956 until his call as a General Authority. He was sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve on April 6, 1958, and 31/2 years later as a member of the Council of the Twelve.
His dedication to the service of others resulted in recognition including honorary doctorates from BYU, the University of Utah, Utah State, Westminster College in Salt Lake City and Southern Utah University. He also received the Silver Buffalo, the highest award given by the Boy Scouts of America.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
President Hinckley
Born June 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Bryant S. and Ada Bitner Hinckley.
Filled mission to British Isles, 1933-35.
Married Marjorie Pay, April 29, 1937, in the Salt Lake Temple; parents of five children.
Appointed executive secretary of Missionary Committee, 1951.
Sustained as Assistant to Twelve, April 6, 1958.
Ordained an apostle, Oct. 5, 1961, at age 51.
Set apart as counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball, July 23, 1981.
Set apart as first counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson, Nov. 10, 1985.
Set apart as first counselor to President Howard W. Hunter, June 5, 1994.
