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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Mormon President Dies. Mitt Romney Tragically Unaffected.

posted by on January 27 at 22:10 PM

No “magic underpants” jokes just now, please.

This adorable, grandpa-lookin’ mother fella’s name was Gordon B. Hinckley, and he was the President of the Mormon Church. (There is a President of Mormons? Fascinating.)

Gordon_B__Hinckley.jpg

And I say, “he was”, because, well, he isn’t anymore, technically speaking. Behold:

Gordon B. Hinckley, the Mormon church’s oldest president who presided over one of the greatest periods of expansion in its history, died Sunday. He was 97.

The full story can be read here.

RSS icon Comments

1

Hinckley was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley. He was survived by his wife, Sarah Hinckley.

Posted by Chris in Tampa | January 27, 2008 10:35 PM
2

Awesome.

Whoa, that was tasteless.

Woot!

Posted by Mr. Poe | January 27, 2008 11:03 PM
3

being President of a religion must be sweet. Getting to make up revelations that change a theology of millions of unquestioning believers.

Posted by vooodooo84 | January 27, 2008 11:33 PM
4

Paging Mitt Romney. TO the white courtesy telephone. There is another Presidency opening should you care to run.

Posted by gnossos | January 27, 2008 11:52 PM
5

From the Salt Lake Tribune's obituary of the kindly leader:

And no one took a stronger lead in the church's political efforts.

He built alliances with other Christian denominations to oppose same-sex marriages and defend religious liberties. In 1998, Hinckley announced a "Proclamation on the Family," which laid out the church's support for the sanctity of marriage, the significance of family and the importance of chastity.

That became the theological foundation for the church's opposition to any effort to promote same-sex marriage. In 2000, the LDS Church defended the Boy Scouts' right to exclude gays from leadership positions, and the church and its members in Alaska and Hawaii gave time and well over $1 million to thwart same-sex marriage initiatives; in 1999, members in California helped finance the push for a Protection of Marriage Act on that state's ballot.

"What's a church for if it isn't to fight for values, to take a stand and face up to these moral issues?" Hinckley said in a February 2000 interview with The Salt Lake Tribune.

Charming.

Posted by CCSea | January 28, 2008 12:13 AM
6

The head of the Greek Orthodox church also died. Except he looked way more badass.

Posted by gfish | January 28, 2008 12:20 AM
7

Has anyone checked on the Pope lately?

Posted by idaho | January 28, 2008 12:43 AM
8

... because these things happen in threes, of course.

Posted by superyeadon | January 28, 2008 1:07 AM
9

he's off to rule his own planet! Thats what they do, when they die, the Mormons, that is...

Posted by MadDog | January 28, 2008 3:09 AM
10

Above

I have always thought becoming a star child in the next life sounded kinda neat.

And of course, you have a better answer?

Now that we have an inking of just how vast the cosmos really are, might be practical as well.

All the mocking of Mormons here is a bit much. The Catholic church spent just as much as the Mormons fighting gay marriage ... and talk about weird churches, complete with incense and costumes which make less sense than good underwear.

I get the feeling Adrian has a bitter background about his Mormon family? Very personal attacks all the time. Too bad Adrian, you are half way talented. Silly mud rolling is getting stale as the years go by. Try some real writing.

Posted by JASON - not dog - not mad | January 28, 2008 4:05 AM
11

aw, that's sad. He looks like such a nice guy.

Posted by angelfish | January 28, 2008 4:56 AM
12

Since The Mormons are fond of baptizing people after they die lets return the favor. Gordon Hinckley I hereby baptize you into the Church of Paganism.

Posted by Heather | January 28, 2008 5:07 AM
13

As long as the Pope can get back to his coffin by dawn, he should be just fine.

Posted by NapoleonXIV | January 28, 2008 6:03 AM
14

Anyone notice that the guy was 97, his predecessor died at 96 and his successor is 80? if there is a God, she doesn't seem to be killing the Mormons off too early.

Posted by Epimetheus | January 28, 2008 6:04 AM
15

From the (dead) horse's mouth:

"... as citizens we are all under the direction of our respective national leaders. They have access to greater political and military intelligence than do the people generally," adding, "Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people, committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy." He also noted that "It may even be that He will hold us responsible if we try to impede or hedge up the way of those who are involved in a contest with forces of evil and repression."

good riddance.

Posted by Bryce Beamish | January 28, 2008 6:30 AM
16

This is also the guy who single-handedly was responsible for turning the Boy Scouts into the LDS Youth Corps. I don't think the world will miss him. Of course, he'll just be replaced by someone just as fascist.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty | January 28, 2008 6:31 AM
17

@10: You are a none-to-subtle apologist for evil. And I agree with you about the Cat-licks.

If Adrian is still nursing lingering resentment after having been brought up in that atmosphere, I don't blame him one damn bit. Writing is, after all, often a means to superior catharsis so if that's what he needs from time to time to work that demon out, then right on to him.

Posted by Jubilation T. Cornball | January 28, 2008 6:35 AM
18

As opposed to a shameless apologist for evil? Evil: It's O-kay!

I'm not sure writing is how Adrian gives his demon a work out.

Posted by NapoleonXIV | January 28, 2008 6:42 AM
19

One down and how many more to go?

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | January 28, 2008 7:17 AM
20

I object to the "good underwear" comment. Whatever its supernatural effects, I have it on good authority that it is inexpensive (to produce) polyester.

Posted by assiniboia | January 28, 2008 7:20 AM
21

You people are sick. Gordon B. Hinckley did more good for this world than any of you could ever dream of doing. He was well loved by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and well respected by leaders throughout the world. This blog was linked to on another blog, which is why I read it, but I am sickened by what I'm reading.

Posted by Laura | January 28, 2008 7:28 AM
22

Laura, get back to your butter churn. The other wives are starting to say that you are slacking.

Posted by Emma Smith | January 28, 2008 7:32 AM
23

@21, Laura, I command you to submit to the straight guys on this blog. Submit and get on your knees bitch! That is right, on your knees and service your MAN!! Just like the Lord your God demands of you!!!

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | January 28, 2008 7:35 AM
24

you're lucky that wasn't about ecb, cato, otherwise it would have been deleted. but since it wasn't about her, it won't be deleted.

Posted by some dude | January 28, 2008 7:45 AM
25

@24, I know, that is why I said it: it was not ECB. But ironically you could say that to anyone else at the Stranger and they would laugh it off.

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | January 28, 2008 7:49 AM
26

lawlz.

Posted by some dude | January 28, 2008 8:04 AM
27

Has anyone stopped to think that there might be a reason why those "magic underpants" are crotchless? Yeah, magic. Gotta be qeady for those 37 wives at a moment's notice.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty | January 28, 2008 8:09 AM
28

he actually was quite charming.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | January 28, 2008 8:12 AM
29

@21 Laura, why didn't you post a link so that we might see all of the kind things you write about us?

Posted by Mike of Renton | January 28, 2008 8:30 AM
30

@14, The one thing about Morman's is that they live pretty healthy lives. They don't drink, smoke, and tend to avoid overly processed foods. Boring as hell, but pretty healthy.

@21, lol, Doing good for a religion is not something many of us would find worthy of praise.

But I'm sure he will enjoy is many planets and assloads of wives. You guys should though think about making them virgins. Thats seems to work wonders for inspiring your Muslim brothers.

Posted by Giffy | January 28, 2008 8:51 AM
31

Im surprised no one is showing any respect here for the family he left behind. Wait, people on slog only afford that kind of respect overdosing Australians. It isn't so much the fact I actually liked this guy (I didn't) but the lack of a base standard by which people show any compassion for fellow humans is interesting.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | January 28, 2008 9:04 AM
32

@31 - i agree. if it comes out that he was a snowboarder, maybe dan will disable the comments.

Posted by some dude | January 28, 2008 9:24 AM
33

@31, too be fair, I respect neither. And I am sure his wives will be able to comfort each other.

Posted by Giffy | January 28, 2008 9:52 AM
34

@31 - Well, if many Sloggers don't show respect for one another, why would they show respect for some 97-year-old's survivors? And frankly Sloggers more easily identify with an "Australian overdoser" than a contrived religion's icon/avatar.

@ someone up above - Mormon undergarments are not crotchless.

@ someone else up above - do you think they'll release his son, John, from house detention so that he may attend the elder's ascension. [oops! wrong geriatric]

Posted by BELMONT PLACE | January 28, 2008 10:25 AM
35

@34 so being able to relate to someone is a prerequisite for showing respect for the families? then I wasn't crass in bashing heath ledger was i?

that is the crux of the issue; I get heat for saying heath ledger dying isn't important or worthy of lamentation. I specifically get the "have respect for the dead, his family is in mourning" treatment. Now that I bring up the same argument people used against me, and I get the reply "people don't relate to him" treatment.

respect the dead or respect only those you relate to. in the case of both this guy and ledger i do neither.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | January 28, 2008 10:44 AM
36

@35 - i agree with you. but the situations were not the same. collective slog was mourning heath when you came along with your "disrespect". so you were being brash in the face of people mourning. on this thread, people are not really mourning (not any slog regulars at least), and you are insisting they should show respect when we already know you are being insincere: 1) you don't believe we should make a big deal out of celebrity deaths and 2) you probably cannot relate to this guy any more than you could ledger. so you are just posting to win an argument or to make a point. from another thread no less!

Posted by infrequent | January 28, 2008 10:51 AM
37

I like making people think about themselves and how they feel.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | January 28, 2008 10:58 AM
38

@37 no, you like being the center of attention.

Posted by blast off | January 28, 2008 11:49 AM
39

Oh wow, some horrible old douchebag died. Bummer.

Posted by Bison | January 28, 2008 12:05 PM
40

just dont look, just dont look.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | January 28, 2008 12:10 PM
41

As someone that grew up in Salt Lake and was non-Mormon, I'm pretty sad about Gordon dying (well kind of). Although his like all other religions beliefs were odd, he was a very good man that deserves a lot of praise for the way he led his people. Unlike the other hate mongering religious elitists in the world; he was a man of faith and peace. This was a great man, and I feel for his family.

Now make your jokes asshole. :)

Posted by J2D2 | January 28, 2008 2:17 PM
42

Come on BA, he was 97, it's not like it was shock or great loss to his family. I'm sure they were starting to suspect he may die soon. I don't think compassion is what the family needs.

A good probate lawyer maybe? It's gotta be hard writing a will for all those wives and children.

Posted by PdxRitchie | January 28, 2008 2:32 PM
43

What is wrong with you people? When Jesus meets you at the pearly gates is he going to say good job you went around hating and bashing other religions? This is America and freedom of religion is most sacred. Maybe you bash other religions due to lack of confidence in your own religion, just like a weak, self-conscience bully. Get over yourself and reconnect with God to find some sort of moral center rather than celebrating and mocking the death of a honorable, selfless man.

Posted by x000000 | January 28, 2008 3:22 PM
44

Wow, Mormons are funny. And stupid. Mostly just stupid, actually.

Posted by Bison | January 28, 2008 3:26 PM
45

It is true that they called Mary Kate three times before calling 911 to report his demise?

Posted by NapoleonXIV | January 28, 2008 5:02 PM
46

President Gordon B. Hinckley honored by International Community


SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. While Utahans were mourning the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, we at Respectance received positive and thankful reactions from people all over the world. It is wonderful to see that the sad news of his passing is being embraced by so many, and celebrating and honoring his life seeks no boundary.

President Hinckley seems to have touched a lot of his followers after the incidents of 9/11 with his positive teachings. Some of the reactions at Respectance below:

Jacquelin Munns said, “I loved listening to Gordon B. Hinckley. He was a humble prophet of God who often spoke directly to us in a very kind and loving way. He knew the truth and he wanted us to know also. He was "our" prophet. This is the end of an era, but I look forward with faith.”

Blaz, devotee of Hinckley said, “After 9/11/01. I remember anticipating what President Hinckley would tell the world in the October conference after 9/11. Would he predict more doom and gloom? In true prophetic fashion, President Hinckley told us all how wonderful it is to live in such a wonderful age when good outweighs bad, when technology allows us so much opportunity and when the gospel of the Savior is available in great abundance. What comfort! What joy!” http://www.respectance.com/GordonBHinckley/memories/show/DbNt4hwGVPPrPGi

People from all the States to as far as Chili and Australia have come to pay tribute to Hinckley, who is considered as Prophet and God’s spokesman on Earth.
ABOUT RESPECTANCE: Respectance launched in July of 2007, and is the world's first social media approach to sharing memories. The idea for the company began after an extremely unfortunate circumstance. Co-founders Todd Wilkinson and Richard Derks were running a web production company in Europe when Wilkinson’s mother passed away. On the road in Eastern Europe, Wilkinson didn't find out about her death until it was too late to book a flight back for her funeral. After making several phone calls and hearing his family members retell wonderful stories about his mother, the idea of Respectance was hatched. Respectance is a new tradition to remember your loved ones in an open fashion. It is meant to support people through a potentially difficult time and to pay respect to those we still love but are no longer physically with us.

Posted by Mansha Thapa | January 30, 2008 2:48 PM
47

i know that gordon b hinkley was a prophet of god and if any wants to have a better life all they have to do is pray something every good christian will do and ask if this wonderful man was truely a prophet of god rather than go no where. please read the book of mormon and see the good it will do you

Posted by faithful | February 2, 2008 6:35 PM

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