Deseret News | Pres. Hinckley gets citizen award

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Pres. Hinckley gets citizen award

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Alan | 12:55 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

While it is nice to recognise and reward those who are on the centre stage of life I truely believe that the REAL: Citizen of the Century is out there somewhere working and toiling without recognition.

Shaun Williams | 3:59 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I love President Hinckley with all my heart and daily pray for him, I am pleased that he has been awarded the Municipal Citizen of the Century Award. I extend to him heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.
Shaun L. Williams - Phoenix,Az

L.G.R. | 7:15 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

How inspiring!
GORDON B. HINCKLEY is a treasure.
DAVID McCULLOUGH'S book, "John Adams" should be studied in our schools.

Comments continue below

N Neeley | 7:21 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

A wonderful article, a marvelous tribute to a spiritual giant. Truly, he has made friends worldwide for both Utah and the Church - a grand citizen of the world. Love & blessings from California.

Mike W | 7:34 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I was fortunate to be there, and what an event it was! Kudos to the leadership of the Utah League of Cities and Towns for putting on such a fitting event to mark 100 years of service. I tend to agree with Jefferson that "the government that is closest to the people governs best" and nothing does that better than cities and towns in Utah.

Ralph Little | 7:56 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

What an inspiring article! President Hinckley and David McCullough are great men, with minds that clearly understand the important values in life. They are both "clear writers and clear thinkers." To read what they have writen and think about what they have to say, is to be elevated in our daily life.

Utah Transplant | 8:07 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I hope you live to be 100 years too. The Saints here in Oklahoma love you, we know God is with you and are looking with great humility towards hearing God's will for us in a few weeks.
LOVE THE OLD AND THE YOUNG OF OKLAHOMA

Tammy, OR | 8:18 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

It's awesome a Catholic Bishop acknowledged Hinckley as the holy prophet he is. With many people of other faiths dissing Mormonism as a true Christian religion, it's refreshing to hear The Most Rev. Wester acknowledge the truth.

It's nice to see Hinckley again receive recognition for his service to mankind. He is truly a great leader, both within the LDS community and outside the church.

A | 8:53 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

ALAN - Just what have YOU done to help the cause of humanity lately?

Seth L. Butterfield | 9:50 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I concur with Mr. Huntsman that Gordon Hinckley has done more to shape Salt Lake City than anyone but Brigham Young. With an LDS 2.5 billion dollar mall it is being shaped into one of the shopping capitals of the InterMountain West.

Mayor Billings really summed it up when he said, "...Hinckley has indeed made life better for all Utahns." Indeed he has, but only for those Utahns that will enjoy retail shopping 6 days a week.

L.G.U. | 9:59 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Dear Oh Brother: It is obvious from your insipid and rediculous note that you are uneducated as to all that President Hinkley has directed and the Church has done in an enormous humanitarian effort on every continent of the earth. When you are uneducated and hateful it is wise to remain silent. You may disagree with the beliefs of the man, but, you certainly are not in an intelectual position to warrents your nasty attack. Learn the facts first then disagree if you wish.

Oh Brother | 10:18 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

What a surprise! My post was deleted as it wasn't "faith promoting".

L.G.U. You are calling me "rediculous" and "not in an intelectual position". At least I am educated enough to know how to spell "ridiculous" and "intellectual". By the way, you also claim I am uneducated...actually, you can blame that on BYU's business school, which I have an MBA from.

Oh Brother | 10:27 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

L.G.U.; PS: His name is Hinckley, not Hinkley. Perhaps, you should read The Church News more often.

Tim | 10:30 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Dear Oh Brother - Getting an MBA from BYU is what made you uneducated?? That doesn't make any sense. I think you have some deeper issues brewing.

Klimber510 | 10:41 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Thank you Bishop Wester for your prayer. What warm feelings of appreciation you evoke in me for President Hinckley as well as for you and the good people of faith in this valley.

Glenn Bullock | 10:46 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Send it (the diploma) back, your use of English grammer is woeful: "which I have an MBA from".

Teewan | 10:51 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I'm curious LGU can you provide solid facts to back up your statement "President Hinkley has directed and the Church has done in an enormous humanitarian effort on every continent of the earth." I would like to see some evidence that the church has directed an enormous humanitarian effort. Just like I would expect proof of any organization before I give them my hard earned $$. And lets remember... rough estimates put the churches yearly tithing income alone at $5 billion. Do they even give back 10% to the needy and poor? I hope sure hope so.

Concerned | 10:53 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Because this comment doesn't laud praise on President Hinckley, it will probably be deleted. However, I would like to comment as respectfully as possible.

Here are two thoughts:

1. The lavish praise heaped upon Pres. Hinckley by Mormon members, as exprssed here, appears akin the personality cult worship in North Korea, Cuba, or in churches like the Branch Dividians. It's a bit scary for people who don't view Hinckley as Mormons do.

2. I was dissappointed that Gordon Hinckley sent apostle Henry Eyring to the 150th annivesary of the Mountain Massacre, a painful chapter in Mormon history, yet Hinckley finds that time to attend a ceremony honoring him.

Members of the LDS church may be offended by these statements, but non-biased readers can understand. I have tried to express these thoughs as respectful as possible.

A | 10:55 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

SETH BUTTERFIELD - Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine! Actually there is going to be much more there than "shopping" areas. Although that sounds like YOUR main interest.

OH BROTHER - With all your business education it is too bad you didn't learn how to even write a correct sentance. Educated people DON'T end a sentance with a preposition.

Oh Brother | 10:58 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Glenn: It's "grammar", not "grammer". Sheesh!

Teewan | 11:01 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Mine get deleted too. All I want to know is how can a person who "directs" as LGU put it "massive humanitarian relief" be so greedy to not give 10% of the churches income in humanitarian relief?? I guess you cant ask the church to give back at least 10% of what he "directs & controls". They only expect that from members.

A ...it's sentence, not sentance | 11:05 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Isn't it funny, how some people call other people uneducated who can't even spell correctly themselves? It's a little hypocritical isn't it?

Happy | 11:15 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Oh Brother - please see:

http://www.lds.org/humanitarianservices/

for some information.

Oh Brother | 11:24 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

A: Actually what you said is untrue about a preposition not being able to end a sentence (and you also spelled "sentence" incorrectly by spelling it "sentance").

From dictionary.com:
ï¿½Usage note The often heard but misleading ï¿½ruleï¿½ that a sentence should not end with a preposition is transferred from Latin, where it is an accurate description of practice. But English grammar is different from Latin grammar, and the rule does not fit English. In speech, the final preposition is normal and idiomatic, especially in questions: What are we waiting for? Where did he come from? You didn't tell me which floor you worked on.

Oh Brother | 11:26 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I have never said the LDS Church doesn't provide humanitarian services...it must have been another poster.

on_my_way_out_2 | 11:55 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I do think there are probably "little people" out there who are more deserving of such an honor. Simply dedicating one's life AND professional career to one organization does not, IMHO, make one "special" or an "extraordinary" citizen. The "real" citizens are the guys and gals who dedicate and donate time and resources to community service "without" the glare of TV and News media following their every step.

A | 11:57 a.m. Sept. 13, 2007

To whomever corrected my Blog.
You are absolutely right. I should have checked my spelling. However, I am not the one pontificating about my great education. Not that that is any excuse. I should have proof read what I wrote! Thanks for pointing it out to me.

OH Brother - Thanks for the definition however, your statement ending in..."which I have an MBA from..." was NOT a question it was a statement - and poorly written.

In reality, this whole discussion is silly. You have your views, I have mine and who cares anyway. It is a beautiful day outside. I think I will go out and do something useful. We weren't sticking to the subject article anyway. Have a good day. If you find misspelled words, incomplete sentences ect. correct them to your little hearts content. Bye

JDF | 12:15 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Interesting article. I appreciate the comments ABOUT THE ARTICLE.

Most of us are interested in substantive thinking, and don't quite care about spelling and grammar in a comment forum. Your back-and-forth over the little things, and your chest-thumping about your degrees are useless, and will be appreciated more in the sports section.

How Sad | 12:17 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

What a shame that so many people are posting vicious, condescending comments to each other after an article about a man who would be saddened by it. What a great thing to read the words of the Catholic Bishop as he expressed deep friendship and admiration to President Gordon B. Hinckley. That inspires me, that even though religion can be such a divider it wasn't in a prayer by a man who lives what he teaches his congregations. My hat's off to all three of the men whom I see as builders: David McCoullough, Reverend Wester, and President Hinckley.

T | 12:22 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Teewan, you have no idea how much the church gives in service, money, food ad shelter to the world because when they do, they don't hold a press conference or send out a press release. The Church spends millions every year just in the support mechanism to manage this undertaking. Did you know, most recently, a conovy of trucks was sent to the New Orleans area with food and supplies and the local church buildings were opened to the community for shelter. The point is, you don't know that the church doesn't give 10%, do you. You just want to be critical regardless. And nobody would force you to give your hard earned money, you give it if you want to.

Biased | 12:23 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Concerned, my only comment is that there is no such thing as a "non-biased" reader. The whole point of these postings is to read all the biased opinions. Your comments express your opinions and you have every right to share. Just please don't attempt to say that "non-biased readers will understand". In my opinion you are attempting to silence feedback by saying that anyone who disagrees with your post is biased and therefore in some way inferior. I enjoy reading the different opinions that people post, but they are just that - biased opinions.

Thus my opinion is that President Hinckley deserves the awards and praise he gets which comes from many sources (many of whom are not Mormons). To understand why he agreed to be at ceremony just read what he said to the many politicians at the gathering.

Albert | 12:33 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I am honored to be in a church that is lead by a leader like President Gordon B. Hinckley. He is the Lord's chosen prophet, a man who stand's out above all other men on this earth.

To the critics I say this: Do you not see the great works that our beloved Leader has performed? All Mormons cry out now and in eternity hail our beloved Leader who has made our lives worth living.

Do not seek Gordon Hinckley with your minds. You will only find him with your hearts. Gordon B. Hinckley is Utah and Utah is Gordon B. Hinckley!!!

Mark | 12:38 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

L.G.R.,

Many of David McCullough's works are read in public schools. His writing is excellent, so lucid... He even visited Davis County last spring. Many teachers and students attended the lecture.

Brian | 12:38 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

You people missed the point of the article. It wasn't about spelling or grammar.

Sam Hofer | 12:43 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I wish everyone with the title of president had to be well read. Even modestly read. Good for him. Of course, this guy is a propheet, seer and revelator. Quite a handle; I don't want Bush to have that one.

However, whenever a paper prints something about this guy it's followed by comments about how he's "precious, wonderful, spiritual giant" etc. This kind of gushy praise really sounds insincere, and kind of creepy like someone mentioned before. It really sounds like the stuff North Koreans shovel towards Kim Jong Il. Cultish. It just gets worse when they try to claw onto anything nice anyone else may say about the guy, as it so aids the mainstream rebranding efforts of the church. Legitimacy by association, I guess you could call it.

We get it. The church is more mainstream than the southern baptists, and ol' hinkley is not only infallible but more adorable than a speckled pup. You've told us over and over. You'll have to forgive us out here on this side of the veil. We see stuff differently. All the stuff about "the truth" and "clear writers and thinkers". You've offered nothing of exclusivity to those claims more than, say, Darwin or Lenin or Gary Larson (the far side..). Really, we all experience 'truth'. You can claim yours, no more or less than I can claim mine.

TG re: Tammy, OR | 12:47 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Recognizing GBH as an outstanding citizen is not the the same thing as recognizing him as a prophet, seer and revelator. He has led by being head of a locally based church. In SLC, this award makes sense. In the rest of the country, GBH is looked upon as a leader of a small and interesting religion; if they have ever heard of him.

"It's awesome a Catholic Bishop acknowledged Hinckley as the holy prophet he is. With many people of other faiths dissing Mormonism as a true Christian religion, it's refreshing to hear The Most Rev. Wester acknowledge the truth."

Well, we do read what we want to hear. The Catholic Church definition of a prophet is different than the Mormon definition of "the prophet". For the bishop to call GBH a holy prophet is not the same as a declaration from the Catholic Church the GBH is truthfully, the one and only prophet of God. As they say when in Rome do as the Romans do.

The Bishop did display an enourmous amount of understanding and ecumenicism towards the predominately LDS audience. In my personal life, I would have to say I have not felt that generousity from most members of the LDS church. I guess when you have been told from birth that the LDS is the only one true church it is hard to see other religions other than lowly.

Liberty | 12:51 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

The interesting thing is that President Hinckley would probably agree with Alan's comment.

He has always pointed at the great potential of the common man. Hinckley is (to borrow an old figure of speech from my grandmother) "as common as a shoe." I've personally seen him eating lunch with teens and young missionaries and days later seen him in the media hob-nobbing with figures who are larger than life. I'd bet my last dollar that Hinckley is happier with the former (the kids) than the celebrities.

And as for the comment that criticized him for sending Eyring to the MMM memorial: Eyring is the right guy to handle that situation. He is kind, articulate and intelligent.

Punky | 1:08 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

That's funny, T. I think the church holds a press conference practically *every time* it performs a humanitarian service.

As for how much money the church expends on humanitarian efforts...Well, we don't know because the Mormon church, unlike almost all other charitable organizations, refuses to make its financial records available to the public.

I *do* know that a few months ago, when 1/3 of my town was destroyed in a flood, LDS humanitarian services were there. They didn't provide much, or stay around a long time. But they made it a point to be visible. In comparison with all other organizations, their contribution to recovery and assistance efforts was so insignificant that it was not recogize by any local leaders. And very few people could use the cleaning supplies they provided because the supplies were largely inappropriate for the clean-up needs.

When I think of "enormous" humanitarian efforts, I (like any other non-mormon) think of the Red Cross. Not the Mormons.

Punky (who has a Ph.D. and never once had to pass a spelling test to get it. *wink*)

Concerned | 1:09 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

To Liberty:

I agree that Eyring is "kind, articulate and intelligent." Are you implying that Hinckley isn't?

It should have been the leader of a church to offer regrets about the Mormon massacre of innocent men, women and children.

SOMEONE WHO POSTED EARLIER | 1:16 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

HOW SAD-
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THEY REALLY MADE ME STOP AND THINK. IT IS SO EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE NEGATIVE, STUPID, RETORIC AND BAD MOUTHING. I BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHT WHEN YOU SAY PRES HINCKLEY WOULD PROBABLY BE SADDENED BY IT ALL. IT MADE ME DISSAPOINTED IN MYSELF. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME SET MY PRIORITIES STRAIGHT THIS MORNING. : )

bc | 1:23 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

The Lord's Prophet has the Keys of Salvation and Happiness. President Hinckley invites all to live the gospel of Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and find joy in serving others.

All of us should hear his invitations and follow Our Savior.

JANIS JOHSON | 1:42 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

PRESIDENT HINKLEY, YOU ARE AWESOME! THE
CHURCH LOVES YOU AND I DO,TOO!
MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO BLESS & SUSTAIN YOU.
MOST SINCERELY,
JANIS JOHNSON
(MOSCOW,ID)

Citizen9347 | 2:05 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

I wish the newspapers were a little less bias towards the LDS church. I personally don't believe any of this "holy prophet" stuff and I'm sick of the LDS church in everything; politics, economy, lifestyles etc.

Ludona | 2:10 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

The Utah town group did what it does best, gave their award out to the man who did the job they wanted done.
Groups all over the world give awards for all kinds of wonderful things and many of the recipients are the "guys and gals" living their regular lives. Believe it or not, Hinckley is a guy living his regular life. We live a life by choice not by coincidence.
It sounds like there are a few who misconstrue the purpose of such an award. There are some very effective venues to get the help or information you're looking for.
I would love to be able to accomplish even a small portion of the service Hinckley has given (and STILL GIVES into his LATE 90's)! We all have much to consider.
Congratulations President.

Anonymous | 2:55 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

citizen9347. Simple solution: move.

That would be like me moving to the Vatican and telling the people I was sick of Catholicism.

Gator | 3:36 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Just to set one thing straight, to compare the devotion to Pres. Hinckely to the ï¿½devotionï¿½ to Kim Jong Ill and Fidel Castro is absolutely ridiculous. Unlike North Korea and Cuba, people in our country have the right to say anything they would like on a blog such as this, brilliant or otherwise. Kim Jong Ill and Fidel Castro have guns to the heads of those in the media writing praises to them. The devotion given to Pres. Hinckley is, for the most part, sincere and from the heart. Donï¿½t, for one second, believe they are remotely similar to the pseudo-loyalty displayed to the leaders of Cuba or North Korea.

Praise to the Man | 3:58 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Teewan - Yes the Church has done a great deal world wide. ON several occaisions they have talked about them having donated almost a Billion dollars to humanitarian efforts. The Fast Offering funds go directly to the needy. The Perpetual education funds help need youth get a better education. Try taking tours of Welfare Square and the Humanitarian Centers to gain a great understanding of what they do.

After Katrina a reporter stated that there were only three groups helping, (1) The Mormons, (2) The LDS Church and (3) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. IN some countries the Catholic Charities distribute our goods because they have the supply lines established. In other areas the MUslims distribute it, but they insist their names are put on it. The Church doesn't care because they are doing what Christ expects of his Church. They don't go about beating their own drums.

If you understood the leadership of the Church you would understand that having a living apostle speak on behalf of the Church is appropriate. (Not everything in the New Testament was written by Peter, James or John, but other apostles and leaders.) At age 97 President Hinckley can't attend every function on behalf of the Church. He is truly a remarkable Leader. Have you ever met him or listend to his talks?

I did find it interesting that Bishop Wester referred to President Hinckley as the Lord's Prophet.

Matt | 3:59 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Concerned,

Thanks for sharing your respectful concern. As to your assertion about "bias," I can only wholeheartedly concur with Bias' response above.

As to your Mountain Meadows comment, I don't know why Pres. Hinckley sent Elder Eyring, but I give it -- respectfully -- as my opinion, that to one such as yourself it wouldn't have mattered one iota whether he had gone himself. I imagine we'd just be reading your respectful concerns about something else. My experience with the respectfuly concerned of Utah when it comes to the church is that it doesn't matter what the church does.

My congratulations to Pres. Hinckley. He's a very good man and a great leader and when his time is done it will be a sad day for all of us.

town heathan | 4:32 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

The reason the LDS church cannot put more of their tithing money back into humanitarian aid is that they are spending it all on building more temples.

Temples where they do ordinaces for the dead, to open the door of the "Celestial Kingdom" for them.

The one I like the best is the Bishop that was responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacure.

The church dis-avowed what he did. He was exicuted and in something like 1961, the church did his temple work so he could have the opportunity for exahaltation in the Celestial Kingdom.

So the essance here is they are building temples for dead people who have been exacuted for the crime of murder...that rather than provide humanitarian aid for the living. But that Angel Maroni sure looks good!!

And for those of you checking my grammar...I couldn't care less!!!

Town Heathan | 4:33 p.m. Sept. 13, 2007

Ps: I think Mr. Hinckley is a pretty decent person...so dissing the man was far from my content.

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