PROVO — Safety concerns have forced The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to clamp down on advance publicity for appearances of its top leaders.
That's why Brigham Young University was asked to wait until Monday to announce President Gordon B. Hinckley will be at the school's commencement exercises Thursday to watch his wife, Marjorie, receive an honorary doctorate. It is not known if President Hinckley will speak.
Sister Hinckley will address the 4,200 students who have earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the state's largest private university.
"It's a standard policy not to announce an appearance of a general authority until it's close to the actual event," said Dale Bills, a church spokesman.
Officials received a scare in 1993 when Cody Judy stormed the Marriott Center stage with a bogus bomb during a talk by President Howard W. Hunter, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Judy told President Hunter to read a letter proclaiming Judy prophet of the church. The Box Elder county man became distracted when students spontaneously began singing a hymn and was subdued by audience members.
He was arrested and sentenced to serve up to 15 years on the charge of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony. He was released last year on parole.
Carri Jenkins, BYU's spokeswoman, said BYU police and LDS Church security will stand watch over the 4 p.m. exercises at the Marriott Center. Security measures at graduation will be much like those taken during the devotionals and firesides regularly held at the facility, she said.
President Hinckley, who is also chairman of the BYU Board of Trustees, will preside at the exercises, which will be conducted by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Special guests will include Gen. Hmeidi Al-Fayez, former chief military adviser to Jordan's King Hussein.
Thursday's events will begin at 2 p.m. with an honoree's reception at the BYU Museum of Art, followed at 3:15 p.m. by the academic processional beginning in the Abraham Smoot Building parking lots.
On Friday, individual college convocations will begin at 8 a.m. at various locations around campus. The President's Reception for graduates and their parents will be Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Museum of Art.
Marjorie Hinckley married in 1937 and raised five children while supporting her husband in his ever-increasing ecclesiastical responsibilities.
After rearing her family, she began a four-decade trek with her husband on church assignments around the world.
"Her ability to reach over the pulpit into the hearts of listeners is legendary, and her language is powerful in its simplicity," says the citation she will receive from the school. "She leaves messages of hope and faith and love."
Jerold and JoAnn Ottley also will be honored. The couple, noted for their work in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, will be given Presidential Citations during the graduation exercises Thursday and Friday.
Jerold Ottley recently stepped down after more than 25 years as the choir's musical director. During his time as the choir's leader, the choir recorded three gold and two platinum records, received two Emmy Awards and two Freedom Foundation awards, as well as invitations to perform at two U.S. Presidential Inaugurations.
JoAnn Ottley is well known for her soprano voice. She has performed with several U.S. symphony orchestras.
You can reach Jeffrey P. Haney by e-mail at jeffh@desnews.com.