Feb. 10, 2000
It was an unlikely friendship that formed about four years ago, when veteran newsman Mike Wallace interviewed LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley for '60 Minutes.'
That friendship continues today.
President Hinckley has written a book, and asked Mike Wallace to write the foreward.
Religion Specialist Carole Mikita has an exclusive interview with Wallace.
Mike Wallace said when he was asked to write the foreword, he said, yes... he couldn't see a reason why not. He has fine memories of his first encounter with a man he never imagined he'd meet.
Mike Wallace/ '60 Minutes': "Here's this charming man... open, pleasant, funny, seemed to have a certain wisdom.. and he gave me an opportunity to understand a little bit of Mormonism."
Mike Wallace remembers well his first meeting and subsequent interview with LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Four years ago, he received an invitation to a luncheon at the Harvard Club in New York City. During a question and answer period, Wallace asked President Hinckley if he would be willing to be the subject of a profile for '60 Minutes.' President Hinckley answered by recalling his own missionary days in England.
Mike Wallace: "In as much as I used to take questions over in London in Hyde Park, all kinds of difficult or thorny or abrasive questions, I don't think I'd have much trouble answering your questions, Mr. Wallace."
Wallace says his interest in and respect for President Hinckley grew from the fact that he actually invited Wallace to ask the hard questions, and when Wallace asked for a second interview for the story, he granted it willingly.
Now it's Wallace's turn. He has written the foreward to a new book by President Hinckley titled, "Standing for Something."
Mike Wallace: "I was asked, and I saw no reason why not."
The book emphasizes honesty and integrity and encourages readers to exercise gratitude and optimism and faith.
Mike Wallace: "I think the moral values advocated by the Mormon church are worth paying attention to. As we pointed out, I think, in the piece, Mormons live longer, they are healthier. With all this talk about family values, there are people, I guess, who practice what they preach."
Mike Wallace says he and President Hinckley have spoken by phone a couple of times.
The book debuts tomorrow. Carole Mikita will be talked with President Hinckley about it, and we'll have that story Friday on Eyewitness News.
More Quotes From Wallace Interview
