His own words: A sampling of quotes from President Hinckley

A sampling of quotes from President Hinckley:

• On death: "All of us have to deal with death at one time or another, but to have in one's heart a solid conviction concerning the reality of eternal life is to bring a sense of peace in an hour of tragedy and loss that can come from no other source under the heaven."

• About faith: "There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith."

• Live kindly: "Let us, each of us, watch ourselves. Whenever we have within us a little temper, go outside, breathe some fresh air, and come in with a smile and throw your arms around your companion and tell her you love her. Look to your children and let them know that you love them. Live with them kindly and graciously, as Latter-day Saints should do."

• Overlook weakness: "Happiness in marriage involves a willingness to overlook weaknesses and mistakes."

• What his legacy in church leadership might be: "I don't know and I don't care! That's not my concern. I'm not trying to build some legacy of some kind. I'm just trying to move the work forward the best way I know how. And as I believe the Lord would have it move forward. And let the future take care of itself."

• On the openness in his administration and friendliness to other faiths: "I don't see a bit of difficulty in it. We have common ground with some other churches. We can work with them on many items of public concern and interest, but we don't have to give up our theology, we don't have to alter our beliefs. We don't have to soften our ecclesiastical stance in any way. We respect them and we hope they'll respect us. "

• On his 90th birthday: "No, I don't feel 90. I never dreamed that I'd be 90. Never dreamed I'd live that long. ... But I'm here, I'm still here. I don't know how long I'll last. Neither do you."

• Temple attendance: "Attend the temple. You will be blessed for so doing. Every man or woman who goes into the house of the Lord leaves there a better man or woman than he or she was when he or she entered the house of the Lord. The house of the Lord will have a refining effect upon you. It will cultivate unselfishness within your lives. It will build righteousness. It will impress upon you the importance of doing what you ought to do. Go to the house of the Lord."