Breaking News: LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley dies

[Drunken Irishman]

Source: KTVX

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley has died. He was 97 years old.


Read more: http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=42aeb7e1-2f99-492c-926d-c6d2d26cdc1a

[gateley]

1. Was he the CURRENT president, like W, or a past President? Was it expected? nt

[Drunken Irishman]

2. Current and no, though he was old.

97, I believe, but I hadn't heard of any health problems. He did have a health scare a year or two ago, but survived that.

[gateley]

7. Holy Cow! 97 years old and still serving as the President? I don't mean to

be snarky, but did he have all his mental faculties?

[Drunken Irishman]

8. Yeah, he's always been of strong mind.

Listening to him speak, you wouldn't get the sense he was slowed by age.

[gateley]

Wow. That's impressive. I hope he lived a full life. It was certainly a long one. nt

[roguevalley]

44. the last one was as old. they serve for life and are revered.

[Momgonepostal]

23. He seemed sharp as a tack...

He spoke extensively at the church's last general conference in October and he looked the most frail I'd even seen him, but he seemed very mentally together.

[jberryhill]

29. The only way out of that office is feet first

It's a lifetime appointment, and the office devolves upon the next oldest among a group of twelve.

The governance structure results in the LDS president always being relatively old.

In the Catholic College of Cardinals, there is an age cutoff for being electable as Pope to avoid that sort of thing.

Then again, not drinking or smoking goes a long way.

[Raster]

32. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is suffering from ageism...

and not what we would normally expect. Most of the Council of the Twelve are sixty and over. There is no "new guard" waiting in the wings. Contrary to church PR, there is an underlying sense that the aging ruling hierarchy of the church is not in tune with the issues and moral questions of today. Also some of the main scripture of the church, The Book of Mormon and its "testimony" that the Native Americans are Hebrew descendant, has been proven false by genetic testing of blood markers. And to further, even though the Church has authorized several attempts, nothing--anthropological, biological, archaeological--can be documented or verified in the Book of Mormon by modern science. In addition, Church membership statistics are often quoted to attest to the church's dynamic surge in membership. That also is not documentable owing to the fact that if one wishes to leave the church, having one's name removed from church roles almost takes an act of God.:sarcasm:

Sorry, couldn't resist. The devil made me do it.

[CraftyGal]

37. That is very true.

The church believes that the older men have wisdom. There is a hierarchy of sorts. Usually a man serves as bishop, then as stake president, then presiding Bishopric, then Quorum of the Seventy, then Patriarch of the church, then Council of the Twelve Apostles, to finally the First Presidency.

The men are "called" to serve, usually at about 40 to serve as bishop. These are men that are married and have families. What will happen now is one of the 2 councilors will be "called" to replace President Hinckley, looks like it will be Thomas S. Monson that will get called. This article here http://origin.sltrib.com/faith/ci_8095646 has some great information on President Monson. Yes the people in the first Presidency are all called president.

In case you are wondering, yes I am an inactive LDS member.

Crafty

[merwin]

39. My dad's side of the family is LDS... most of them live in Utah.

It's a very confusing religion. I've never been able to fully understand the hierarchy or specifics about the religion. I've never really tried, however, as I grew up Lutheran and am currently Presbyterian. Lots of very interesting cultural history in the LDS church, however. My dad is very into genealogy, so he's got a ton of stories about their history.

[CraftyGal]

41. I must say the LDS Church has a very colorful history...

I left after my son and I moved from a small town where we were embraced and loved to a ward that didn't get us. No one would befriend us and it became a chore to attend. When it becomes a chore, time to get out.

Crafty

[ursi]

3. that dude was OLD! and he's been around a long time, I bet Romney

uses this moment to his own benefit.

[David__77]

22. Can't help Romney.

Anything that highlights his Mormonism can't help.

[CreekDog]

4. Arguable that he has been running the LDS church since the 80's

Owing to Ezra Taft Benson's poor health and Howard Hunter's short tenure thereafter, all prior to Hinckley's ascending to this post.

[TwilightGardener]

5. RIP, Gordon Hinckley. He was big stuff in Utah--always on the

local news, as I recall.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[merwin]

16. Would you mind leaving these kind of remarks out of this thread?

[TankLV]

48. oh it was ENTIRELY appropriate!!!

[Olney Blue]

9. My condolences to Mr. Hinckley's family.

[DesertRat]

10. Rest in peace. n/t

[DesertRat]

11. dupe

[Name removed]

12. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JohnnyLib2]

13. Complements to Drunken Irishman for his handling of this post.

Obviously, the man's death is important to many people. I for one appreciate DI's level headed responses. :toast:

[pinelands]

14. Thanks for those of you who are sensitive on this issue -

...If you've ever heard him speak (Larry King, other settings)
- he was always crisp and clear. Disagree with him, fine, but
he was not a wild-eyed cultic leader.  And his death matters
to more than those in Utah. Just so you know
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints);
most LDS live outside of Utah, in fact, just over half of the
13 million members live outside the US.  

[Zhade]

25. You're right.

He wasn't wild-eyed.

[FreeState]

15. RIP n/t

[Maat]

17. I would love to hear your story, FreeState.

The LDS members in my community are SO conservative. Are there many LDS members who are progressives?

My neighbors are LDS members; they are very kind people, who have never tried to 'convert' me (I'm the neighborhood hippie mom). They are so kind, and they took care of our pets while we were away on vacation, and even fed the wild cats outside (as I had requested). They absolutely do not talk politics with me, despite the Kucinich bumpersticker on my Prius.

As to Mr. H., may he rest in peace.

[flamingyouth]

19. My mother's whole family is LDS and some of them are Democrats.

Most of them are Republicans, I suspect, but we don't really talk politics with them that much. My mom was never baptized, as her parents left the church around the time she was born, even though they still had some ties and went to church off and on. The cousins she's closest to are Democrats and live in Utah.

My family goes *way* back in the church and we're related to Harold B. Lee, 11th President of the Church, but my mom has stayed away from the church and I'm Episcopalian. I've had good conversations about religion with my family. :)

[Maat]

20. I'll bet you have ..

my hubby and I are Southern Californian sinners, who are bound for you-know-where, and my relatives (on my hubby's side) are praying for my daughter's future (most probably) as we speak. They are became ultra-conservative Southern Baptists a few years ago.

Actually, we're Unitarian-Universalists (UUers).

Thanks for sharing your story.

[merwin]

38. My dad's side of the family is the same way.

He's a non-practicing Mormon, but still has a lot of ties to the church, and a lot of stories about our great grandparents. Apparently my great grandfather was the head of the council (next in line to become president), but something happened that caused some sort of a rift, and he was kicked out of the church and all of his wives left him. I've also got a relative that founded San Bernadino, but they had to abandon it when they were called back to Utah for the coming war against the oppressors (that never happened).

The LDS church has a very colorful history.

[FreeState]

26. Here is a quick version LOL

My whole family is LDS - back to the beginning. Im still a member but I am not active (or believing) - but I self identify as LDS because its so ingrained in my I can not deny that part - almost like being Jewish but not believing. I am gay and out to everyone - my family is extremely loving and accepting. Im very fortunate for that. My family is mostly GOP but my Dad, Grandmother and Uncle all vote Dem generally and Im sure there are others. Most of my family can not stand Romney and do not know who they will vote for next time - most likely the GOP nom, but they are not excited about it.

Thats the short story... if you want the longer one let me know and I'll send it to you in a day or two when I have time to write more :)

[rucognizant]

33. The nicest family in my town......

is LDS, I just discovered, when trying to get them to come out for an economic development meeting with our legislators. They say it's against their religion to participate in politics. And they did NOT attend the meeting even tho they have just opened a very small business in our very small town.
Was David Hinkley ( who shot Reagan ) related in any way? I have read that his Father haeaded a religious group.

[Momgonepostal]

49. It is not against the LDS religion to participate in politics

Those people might be part of a splinter group of LDS or they might be something different entirely. At any rate, church members are encouraged to participate in politics, whether it be by running, volunteering, or even just voting. Harry Reid is LDS, as are other senators and representatives.

I have no idea if David Hinkley (sp?) is or was LDS. Our Hinckleys generally have a "c" in teh name.

[Maat]

46. Thanks for the info.!

Just as I have a friend who self-identifies as a "secular Jew," I now have a DU buddy that self-identifies as "secular LDS." It's acknowledging one's background and culture.

I think that the important thing is that we DUers acknowledge that there are individuals from LDS backgrounds here, and that we let that serve as a reminder not to stick the foot in the mouth by disparing the entire LDS culture.

[Momgonepostal]

50. Thank you! nt

[pinelands]

43. Progressives...

...it depends on how you label them. If democrats tend to be more progressive than republicans, there are quite a few. My in-laws are very active LDS, totally Democratic (very strong); and so were their parents. I am LDS myself. All of the McConkie's (LDS Apostles and other major leaders) were all Democrats, very strong. If I'm not mistaken, so also were several other recent prominent leaders. I've worked on Democratic campaigns and was still accepted as an active church member.

Congressional Progressives? Well, there's Harry Reid of Nevada. He used to be my "home teacher" when I lived in Virginia. A very kind and good man, and a very strong Latter-day Saint. He recently came to Brigham Young University and gave a talk. Many in the audience (my kids go there) were strong Democrats. Many of the professors there are, too- I am personally acquainted with them.

Yes, the majority of Latter-day Saints in the US are (likely) Republican. Certainly, the majority of the congressional representatives are (I believe the number is 12 total, House and Senate, Republicans). Most aren't from Utah - though most people identify Utah politics with Mormon Politics, LDS members are not the majority in every area even in Utah. In Salt Lake City, I believe they are now the minority - it's changed. Utah has had a series of Non-LDS or Non-Republican leaders in Salt Lake City, for instance, and some of the best loved governers were Democratic.

The core is that LDS people tend to be social conservatives, but even LDS teaching in that area is not nearly so strong as many might presume. There are, however, some confusions. Bottom line:

- Most LDS in the US live outside Utah
- Not all LDS are republicans, or even social conservatives
- Most LDS in the World live outside the US
- The predominant color of the LDS church is shifting quickly away from white (it might already be non-caucasian, if not, it will be within about a year)
- The color of the local leaders strongly reflects the color of the congregation (I travel around the world, this is really accurate).
- The color of the world leadership is changing too, but that takes time (if you follow the new appointees - it will continue to change, but the LDS tend to grow world leaders slowly, so they're really pretty old by the time they get up there, but then they live a long time)

Finally: Other LDS besides Harry Reid in congress who are democrats? Yes...I understand there are three others in congress, but I'm not sure who they are. I'm sure that Sen. Reid's office would be glad to fill you in.

I hope this helps a bit

[Maat]

45. Thanks (n/t).

[helderheid]

18. I am not a mormon, but live in Utah. I will miss his humour and wit.

[Momgonepostal]

21. He was a good man and very personable

Under his leadership, the church greatly expanded various humantiarian aid programs. Regardless of politics or religion, he's done a lot of good in the world.

[Zhade]

24. My condolences to his family...

...and all the families (especially of GLBT folk) that the cult has helped destroy.

Batshit crazy, but he'll probably live longer than I.

Don't like my view? Scroll on by.

[armodem08]

27. And another old white man will take his place. RIP. n/t.

[TygrBright]

28. How could they tell? n/t

[Hekate]

30. RIP Mr. Hinkley, condolences to your survivors. I have a lot of cousins who are LDS...

Thank you to those who wrote sensitively about the man -- I learned something tonight, as he was only a name to me before.

I may disagree with much of their religion, but I have known many kind and involved individuals as neighbors.

For those who have been wounded by the church, be at peace.

Hekate

[Brrrp]

31. Now he will get to have his own planet which he can be the God of.

Congrats, President Hinckley, and say hi to the Angel Macaroni. :)

[CraftyGal]

40. It is Angel Moroni.

[Brrrp]

51. Well, excuuuse me. I was thinking of the Gold Plate Special. :) nt

[rpannier]

34. Condolences to his family

I hope I'm that sharp at 80, much less 97.

[Craftsman]

35. Rest In Peace

[mitchum]

36. Guess he is enjoying his own planet and all those celestial wives...

and everything else in that magic package deal

[pinelands]

42. Own planet and lots of wives...

...it just doesn't work that way. Check it out on your own; don't take my word for it

[TankLV]

47. wonder if he's sharing it with which wife?

did he pack his magic underwear?

is it a planet in this galexy?

sooo many questions...

fuck him and his warped religion that has done plenty of harm to GBLT people...