Mormon church leader Hinckley dies at 97

By James Nelson

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Reuters) - The head of the Mormon church, Gordon B. Hinckley, died on Sunday at the age of 97, church officials said.

Hinckley, who was considered a living prophet, had been the 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since March 1995.

As word of his death spread, groups of church-goers gathered around the Salt Lake Temple, sharing memories and stories about their prophet.

"The President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has served as a transformational religious leader and tremendous ambassador for Utah with his unprecedented outreach to all corners of the world," said Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

"His leadership in humanitarian efforts around the world was matched only by his efforts in his own beloved state and community as a committed citizen. He stood as a remarkable example of selflessness, charity and humility and he will be greatly missed by all," Huntsman added.

Mormonism, founded in 1830, is very much in focus in the United States at the moment as church member and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney seeks the Republican presidential nomination.

The once-isolated group, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of the fastest-growing and most affluent religions, with an estimated $25 billion in assets in 1999 and more than $5 billion in annual income. More than half of its 12.9 million members live outside the United States, with a flourishing flock in Latin America.

Church officials told Reuters a successor was not expected to be formally chosen by the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after Hinckley's funeral within the next few days.

DIVINE PROCESS

Tradition suggests the longest serving member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the church's second highest governing body behind the First Presidency, would become the next president.

If tradition holds Thomas S. Monson, born on August 21, 1927, would become the next leader of the Mormon Church, they said.

Members of the Mormon church believe the selection process is a divinely revealed process.

Huntsman has directed flags on all Utah state government buildings be flown at half-mast in honor of the Church leader's passing.

Hinckley, who was born June 23, 1910 in Salt Lake City, Utah, was named one of the most admired men in the world in 2001 for the second consecutive year in a survey of Americans.

He gave numerous interviews to major news media including the New York Times, CBS' 60 Minutes and CNN's Larry King Live.