May 12, 2000
LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley is going to throw a party, a big one, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Religion Specialist, Carole Mikita, has the party plans.
Part of the reason for this public celebration is to invite the community to the new Conference Center. He told us all about the party when I spoke with him last month, before the Church's general conference.
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley: "I HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN JUNE, MY 90TH, I THOUGHT I'D LIKE TO GIVE A BIRTHDAY PRESENT TO THE COMMUNITY."
The present will be a musical program for anyone who wants to come. President Hinckley will open the Church's new Conference Center to everyone and he will be the host.
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley: "THAT'S A PERSONAL THING BUT I HOPE TO USE THAT AS A MEANS TO MAKING THIS AVAILABLE AND OPEN TO THOSE OF ALL FAITHS. I THINK IT WILL BE A SIGNIFIGANT EVENT. THERE ISN'T ANYTHING A 90-YEAR-OLD MAN NEEDS, EXCEPT TO GIVE TO OTHERS."
Last year's birthday was a small gathering with family and friends. This June, "An Evening of Celebration" will include the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square and soloists from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. It will be broadcast over the church satellite system to stake centers throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
Carole Mikita: "YOU MENTIONED YOUR 90TH BIRTHDAY, CAN YOU REFLECT UPON THE COMING OF THAT BIRTHDAY FOR JUST A MOMENT?"
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley: "I DON'T LIKE TO SEE IT, CAN'T IMAGINE IT, BUT CAN'T DENY YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE. YOU JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT WHAT IS. I'M JUST GRATEFUL, PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF HAVING LIVED DURING THIS GREAT AND VITAL ERA IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH."
The Evening of Celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. on June 23rd at the new Conference Center. A limited number of tickets will be available free to the public in Salt Lake, Provo and Ogden. Distribution of those tickets will be announced the first week of June.
