President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, observed his 84th birthday Thursday.
He attended a full day of meetings in his office and a regular gathering in the Salt Lake Temple with members of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve. Thursday afternoon he was honored by his associates in the Church Administration Building. President Hinckley will be honored at a family gathering Thursday evening.Earlier this week, President Hinckley spoke at a mission presidents' seminar at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, and this weekend he will travel to Nauvoo, Ill., where he will participate in events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum.
President Hinckley has served in the First Presidency since July 23, 1981. He was sustained an Assistant to the Twelve in 1958 and was ordained an apostle in 1961.
President Hinckley was born June 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City. He and his wife, the former Marjorie Pay, have five children, 26 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.