Richard G. Hinckley

Richard Gordon Hinckley is an emeritus General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having served in the First Quorum of the Seventy from April 2, 2005 to October 1, 2011. He was called and sustained while his father, Gordon B. Hinckley, served as president of the Church.

President Hinckley expressed concern about nepotism in his remarks during the Priesthood Session that evening:

First I’d like to say just a word concerning those we have sustained this afternoon as members of the Quorums of the Seventy.

I am convinced that there are literally hundreds of brethren worthy and capable to serve as general officers of the Church. We see them everywhere. Those sustained today have been chosen to fill particular responsibilities. In most cases, this will involve sacrifice, which will be willingly made.

Among those sustained, as you have noted, is my 63-year-old son. I make it clear that I did not advance his name. That was done by others whose right it was to do so. I feel extremely sensitive about the matter of nepotism. As the lawyers say, I recused myself from participating. However, I believe he is worthy and qualified in every respect. In the first place, he had a great and wonderful mother. I wish I could recommend his father.

I mention this only because of my sensitivity concerning the matter of nepotism. Please do not hold it against him for his relationship to me. He’s powerless to help it.[1]

Elder Hinckley was born on May 2, 1941, in Salt Lake City, Utah. While serving as a full-time missionary in the Central German Mission, his father was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Utah and his MBA degree from Stanford University. His professional career included management consultant and equity partner in several businesses. He has served on advisory boards for a number of regional and national business ventures and organizations, including chairman of the board of the Salt Lake chapter of the American Red Cross and past director of the University of Utah Alumni Association.

Hinckley has served in the Church as a bishop, elders quorum president, high councilor, stake president, and sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. He was president of the Utah Salt Lake City Mission from 2001 to 2004. He and his wife, Jane, are the parents of four children.