President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1995. Gordon B. Hinckley has devoted his life to Church service. The descendant of Mormon pioneer stock, he was called as a missionary for the Church soon after his graduation from college in 1932 and since then has served continuously on boards and committees -- as a stake president, as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, and, since October, 1961, as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. His long experience with radio and publicity and with missionary committees of the Church, as well as the discipline imposed by writing pamphlets, scripts, and books have all combined to develop in his works a remarkable sense of balance, proportion, and detail, which give the dignity and force evident in his speeches and writings.