The man who would one day become president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and whose memory after his passing at the age of 97 is being cherished by millions, was 40 years old when he wrote the story on coach Cec Baker. He was working for church publicity at the time and submitted his article to the LDS Church News for publication.

Fifty years later, I held it in my hands and marveled at the elegant writing — and, I confess, flirted with that commandment about not coveting another's talent.

As millions know, Gordon B. Hinckley took his uncommon ability to communicate to unprecedented levels. In his speeches and exhortations to build bridges and mend fences, he used the same compelling tone of language as in that article in 1950.

But if he'd stayed at the keyboard, he could have been some writer, that man who went on to become the 15th Mormon prophet. He had quite a way with words.

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.