Topic: Gordon B. Hinckley

Gordon Bitner Hinckley (June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008) was an American religious leader who served as the fifteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from March 12, 1995 until his death. He was the oldest person to preside over the church in its history. As president of the church, he was considered by its members to be a prophet, seer, and revelator.

Hinckley's presidency was noted for the building of temples, including a reconstruction of the historic Nauvoo Illinois Temple, the building of the 20,000 seat Conference Center, the issuance of the Proclamation on the Family, and the creation of the church's Perpetual Education Fund. Hinckley dedicated more LDS Church temples than anyone else, dedicating more than half of the current temples. At the time of Hinckley's death, approximately one-third of the church's membership had joined the church under Hinckley's leadership. As president of the church, Hinckley was also chairman of the Church Boards of Trustees/Education that governs the Church Educational System.

A fourth-generation Latter-day Saint, Hinckley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to prominent LDS writer and educator Bryant S. Hinckley and Ada Bitner Hinckley. He graduated from LDS High School in 1928. After attending the University of Utah where he earned his undergraduate degree, Hinckley became a missionary for the LDS Church, an unusual occurrence for Depression-era Latter-day Saints. He served in the London-based British Mission from 1933 to 1935.