Thousands pay respects to Mormon prophet

SALT LAKE CITY -- Josh Rich clutched an envelope as he paid his last respects to Mormon church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Inside was a hand-drawn picture of heaven and a letter from the 9-year-old to a man he revered as prophet of his religion.

In Josh's picture, heaven looks "kinda like the temple, except bigger." A scrawled message read, "You passed the test. Welcome home."

Hinckley died Sunday at age 97 after nearly 13 years as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Hundreds of the faithful flocked to the church conference center to view Hinckley's body Thursday as the Mormon church began three days of public mourning for its leader, capped by a funeral Saturday.

Michelle McAllister got up at 4 a.m. and skipped classes at Weber State University to be first in line with two friends when doors opened five hours later. She put gloves on her feet to stay warm as the temperature hovered around 20.

"We wanted to have this experience. He's been my prophet," said McAllister, 21. "He definitely makes you want to be a better person. He's recognized everywhere for being such a kind person and a good example of optimism."

Hinckley was the oldest president of the 13 million member church. His body was dressed in a white suit in an open casket in the conference center's Hall of Prophets, where bronze busts of church presidents line the walls.

From the elderly to infants in their mothers' arms, mourners moved silently past both sides of the dark wood casket.

Hinckley's eldest son, Richard, who runs the church missionary department, greeted people outside the hall, expressing gratitude for their prayers and condolences.

The Mormon church scheduled 20 hours of public viewing Thursday and today. Tens of thousands of people were expected over three days.

Mormons consider their leader a "prophet, seer and revelator" who communicates with God.

A deep reverence for Hinckley was evident in the hall, although most people had never met him. Outside, people shared memories and talked about the qualities they loved in Hinckley, who never seemed impressed by his power, despite leading a global church.

"I think he made it evident to us that he was just a normal person and he lived a very normal life, but he was a prophet," said Donna Gonzales of Lehi. "No ego, no pretentiousness. You just felt like you kind of knew him and he always had that twinkle in his eye."