Mormon church leader Hinckley dies at 97

[tekisui]

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Reuters) - The head of the Mormon church, Gordon B. Hinckley, died on Sunday at the age of 97, church officials said.

Hinckley, who was considered a living prophet, had been the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since March 1995.

As word of his death spread, groups of church-goers gathered around the Salt Lake Temple, sharing memories and stories about their prophet.

"The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has served as a transformational religious leader and tremendous ambassador for Utah with his unprecedented outreach to all corners of the world," said Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

"His leadership in humanitarian efforts around the world was matched only by his efforts in his own beloved state and community as a committed citizen. He stood as a remarkable example of selflessness, charity and humility and he will be greatly missed by all," Huntsman added.

Mormonism, founded in 1830, is very much in focus in the United States at the moment as church member and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney seeks the Republican presidential nomination.

The once-isolated group, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of the fastest-growing and most affluent religions, with an estimated $25 billion in assets in 1999 and more than $5 billion in annual income. More than half of its 12.9 million members live outside the United States, with a flourishing flock in Latin America.

link: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2742633220080128

[LiberalFighter]

1. They better hurry up and elect Romney as their new leader.

[tekisui]

2. They have a strict hierarchy of leaders.

I expect their next prophet to be Thomas Monson.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Romney shouldn't let that stop him from trying.

[cgrindley]

4. It's a shame he'll never know that there is no god

that's really the worst part about the death of religious leaders.