"He read the papers. He watched the television. He knew what was going on in the world outside the church, every bit as much as we did, and his memory was phenomenal. There are many people who were 20 to 30 years his junior who could not remember current items of news as well as he could," Bennett said.

"We do not mourn for him. He has joined his wife, his parents and others who have gone before him who may have a little sense of, 'Gordon, what took you so long?' but he stayed at his job and fulfilled his stewardship in an impressive manner."

Said Hatch, R-Utah, "His love of God fueled his love of country. President Hinckley carried the torch of patriotism, and the spirit of America burned in his heart."

"But President Hinckley never let his love of the United States obscure his vision for the rest of the world. ... He traveled across the globe, setting an energetic pace that would have exhausted men half his age. The nations of the earth heard his voice, and he brought them a knowledge of the truth by the wonderful testimony which he bore."

Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. cut short a trip to Florida, where he campaigned for presidential candidate John McCain, to thank the Hinckley family for their contributions to Utah. Speaking from the governor's mansion, he called the state better off because of President Hinckley's life. "It's hard to describe adequately a man with his leadership talents."

Huntsman said he particularly enjoyed escorting visiting dignitaries to President Hinckley's downtown office.

"He could engage anybody regardless of their background or philosophy," the governor said. "He was a man who understood the world. He was a man who was perfect for these times."

Other politicians and community leaders, too, Monday recalled personal interactions with President Hinckley.

"I will always appreciate the words of comfort that he brought to the family and friends of former Congressman Wayne Owens by speaking at his funeral services," said Wayne Holland, Utah Democratic Party chairman.

"Congressman Owens was a close friend and mentor to me. I will never forget President Hinckley's comment that, 'Any man who is engaged in the cause of peace is engaged in the cause of Christ.' That was the essence of Wayne's life."

Jeanetta Williams, Salt Lake Branch NAACP president, said she has fond memories of working with President Hinckley, including asking his support to change Human Rights Day to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and inviting him to speak at an NAACP regional conference.

"President Hinckley was always concerned about the way people treated one another, and each time that he and I spoke he always asked how I was being treated by the people of Utah and on my job," she said.

"He had a deep concern for the community and what others outside of Utah thought about the people in our state."

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said President Hinckley led a remarkable life.

"His faith and leadership have inspired countless lives throughout the world. He leaves a deeply rooted legacy on our religion through his teachings and his lifetime of service to the church."

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Contributing: Bob Bernick Jr. and Nicole Warburton

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E-mail: romboy@desnews.com