Had he not been called to the hierarchy of the LDS Church, he said he "wouldn't be living this long. People die when they don't have any challenges. That's what keeps me going. I'm so grateful to have something to do every morning when I wake up. There's always more to be done than I can get done."

Asked what his legacy will be, President Hinckley gave credit to those who have worked with him to accomplish a litany of milestones in LDS Church history. The church has added 3 million members and organized 4,000 new wards and 500 new stakes during his 10-year administration.

Also during that time, some 51 million copies of the Book of Mormon have been distributed, hundreds of millions of dollars have been donated to humanitarian causes worldwide and historic reconstructions in Palmyra, N.Y., Nauvoo, Ill., and Kirtland, Ohio, have been completed.

Dozens of LDS temples have been built and dedicated — more than doubling the number that existed prior to his administration. The Conference Center has been constructed and millions of students have been educated in LDS seminaries, institutes and universities.

Even so, he said he has scores of additional projects in mind but declined to discuss them because he doesn't know if he'll have time to complete them.

President Hinckley said he believes the most difficult challenge people face is "reconciling our faith with the growing secularism in the world. We see it all around us," including in the breakdown of the traditional family.

"Everyone knows the family is in trouble, and the challenge we face is to build faith and move forward in the face of these tremendous, powerful forces with which we are constantly dealing."

Given the opportunity, he said he would "like to speak to the whole world and declare the goodness of this church and the strength of its programs and the desire of its leaders to promote goodwill, peace and harmony and good relationships among the diverse peoples of the world."

He knows there is much suffering, grief and pain, adding his heart "reaches out to all who are unfortunate and have serious problems" who are "weighed down with grief and seem to have so many difficulties. You just have to make the very best of it and do the best you can with what you have and leave the rest to the Lord."

Could he have imagined 80 years ago what his life would be like?

"Never in my fondest dreams did I ever think of such a thing. At one time I had an ambition to do what you (reporters) are doing. Think of what a wonderful thing it was that I escaped that!" he joked.

President Hinckley said he's most pleased about having lived as long as he has, and most concerned about moving the church forward.