Feb. 11, 2000

A leading national book company, Random House, is publishing a book by LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley. Religion Specialist Carole Mikita talked with President Hinckley and has more on what the book is about.

LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley met with the media today to discuss"Standing For Something," his new book. He says it represents many years of speaking and writing to people of all faiths about what's important in life.

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "IT IS NOT A BOOK OF THEOLOGY. IT ISN'T A BOOK OF LDS THEOLOGY, IT'S A BOOK OF VALUES AND STANDARDS AND WE THINK THAT IT MIGHT HAVE A WIDER APPEAL."

President Hinckley says with the growth and recognition of the LDS Church, it's now time for such a book. He did have help from his biographer, Sheri Dew, who in turn approached '60 Minutes' veteran, Mike Wallace to write the foreword.

Sheri Dew/ Executive V.P., Deseret Book: "I WOULD BE HONORED TO, I LIKE THAT MAN IMMENSELY. I THINK HE TRULY HAS GREAT RESPECT FOR PRESIDENT HINCKLEY AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, HE CALLED ME ON THE PHONE ONE DAY AND SAID, 'CAN I READ YOU WHAT I'VE WRITTEN?' 'LOVE TO HEAR IT.' HE READ IT, HE SAID,' NOW, IS THERE ANY OF THAT YOU DON'T LIKE?' I SAID, 'I LOVE EVERY WORD.'"

Wallace, in turn, remembers well his interview for a '60 Minutes' profile on President Hinckley. He calls the Mormon Church leader one of the most interesting people he's ever met.

Mike Wallace, '60 Minutes': "IT'S A JOY SOMETIMES TO INTERVIEW AN OLDER INDIVIDUAL, WHO HAS LIVED, WHO HAS THOUGHT, WHO HAS EVOLVED. THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY."

Which is the whole reason for this new book... a chance for a senior church leader, who has become recognizable around the world, to speak his mind and perhaps change minds.

Pres. Hinckley: "I THINK IT WOULD BE AN EYE OPENER TO MANY PEOPLE. I THINK IT WOULD STIR AN INTEREST AND CONCERN IN MANY PEOPLE. AND I HOPE THAT OUT OF THAT WOULD COME SOME SUBSTANTIAL GOOD."

Despite the hoped for appeal to a national audience, President Hinckley says there will be no book tours and no book signings and all the proceeds will go to charity. The book goes on sale this Tuesday.