[Keendwainge]

That is sad to hear.

R.I.P.

[dafodilkemmy]

That was habit, I never do the ack in these threads.

[Aswdwdfg]

Hinckley led the LDS church -- a relatively young faith, begun in 1830 -- for over 45 years. He made Mormonism acceptable to the mainstream, and presided over a huge expansion of operations, traveling to over 60 countries and dedicating 95 new churches. There are now over 12MM Mormons in this world, largely through his efforts. It's now the 4th largest religion in the US -- bigger than Lutheranism.

He took his faith and his mission very seriously. He made it his life. Such dedication is rare. That's why Gordon Hinckley was important.

[iOqedeyH]

never heard of him until now

[Xzmwskxn]

Thanks for clarifying, Alexander. I've written a couple stories for trade journals converning the LDS Church (including the incredible seismic upgrade and AV revamp to the main Tabernacle building), so my grasp of proper terminology is a bit shaky.

[fectsnanteemy]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
I've written a couple stories ... covering the incredible seismic upgrade ... so my grasp of proper terminology is a bit shaky.

[sicheAscems]

Why? It's Gordon B. Hinckley, not John Hinckley Junior, in case you misread

It's natural that Alexander would be distressed when the founder of his religion passed away, and while I disapprove of the Mormons on doctrinal grounds I haven't heard of this guy doing anything bad.

[Buhoutsoupfap]

He was a great man and many who have met him have commented on his wisdom and influence.

As Mike Wallace from "60 Minutes" once said in regards to Hinckley, "you'll find an agile, thoughtful, and engaging mind bent on persuading us to ruminate, along with him, on old-fashioned values: by name, Virtue and Integrity."

It is wonderful when a person leaves the world a better place than he found it.

[Skete]

My wife and I watched the televised funeral services today.

There were thousands in attendance at the actual services, including U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.

Between soothing hymns from the denomination's world-famous choir, Mormon church president Gordon B. Hinckley was praised at his funeral Saturday as a man who cared deeply for others and devoted his life to the work of his faith.

"The death of this wonderful leader brings to a close a chapter in church history spanning over 50 years," said Thomas S. Monson, who is in line to succeed Hinckley as head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...

On Friday, faithful Latter-day Saints came by the thousands — some standing in line for nearly three hours — to walk by Hinckley's open casket during two days of public mourning, which drew 57,443 people, according to the church.

Many in attendance called the occasion bittersweet, saying they were sad for themselves, but comforted in their belief that the church president had been reunited with his wife, Marjorie, who died in 2004.

A ceremony performed inside Mormon temples binds families together for time and all eternity, said Jana Riess, a Mormon convert and the Cincinnati-based coeditor of "Mormonism for Dummies."

"I don't want to be too cliche, but this idea that Mormons hold fast to their eternal families makes an enormous difference in how they feel about death," Riess said.

Mormons also differ from other Christians in their belief that heaven will not be a place of rest, but one where the work of the church and individuals will continue — something Hinckley often mentioned in his speeches to members.

"We have things to do. Mormonism is a religion of activity and of mission," Riess said. "Part of that mission will be taking place in the afterlife. We believe people will still have the opportunity to make spiritual choices." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080202/...sident_funeral

[Breevereurl]

Originally posted by Elok
Why? It's Gordon B. Hinckley, Religion

[mr.videomen]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Religion Ironic coming from a commie. I never really got thier hostility towards religion considering how many similarities they share with religion.