Forget Yourself

Dear Friends,

I have been getting up every morning at 6 to study. Generally, I take about an hour and choose something pertaining to the gospel. Today I learned about the life of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I read from the “Presidents of the Church” manual (found at LDS.org). Here are some quick facts about him.

-President Hinckley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 23, 1910 to Bryant S. and Ada Bitner Hinckley. Bitner is President Hinckley’s middle, as well as his mother’s maiden name.

-He was ordained an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 51 on October 5, 1961.

-After serving as a counselor in the First Presidency of the Church to three different Prophets, he was called as the Prophet and President of the Church on March 12, 1995. He was 84.

-Later that year, he read the “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” at a General Relief Society’s Meeting (September 23, 1995).

-At age 90, he dedicated the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 8, 2000.

-His wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, died on April 6, 2004. They were married for 67 years.

-He followed her, four years later, at the age of 97 in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 27, 2008. He was the longest living President of the Church.

My favorite thing he has ever taught is this: “Forget yourself and go to work.” (May 1995 New Era: “Sweet Is the Work: Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church”)

Until tomorrow, Shelbi

President Gordon B. Hinckley