President Gordon B. Hinckley's colleagues and associates among the First Presidency, the general authorities and Church administrative staff honored him today on his 95th birthday in a private reception held in the Church Administration Building.
Brief remarks were offered by President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, and by President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency.
President Monson presented President Hinckley with a birthday gift, an original oil painting, Along the Pathway, Adam-ondi-Ahman, a landscape by Valoy Eaton. Adam-ondi-Ahman is a Church historic site in Missouri.
President Hinckley acknowledged the gift and shared a few thoughts with the group on his 70 years of experience in Church administration, both as an employee beginning in 1935 and as a general authority since 1958.
Following President
Hinckley's remarks, everyone joined in an affectionate rendition of
"Happy Birthday." The reception concluded with President Hinckley
cutting a large birthday cake and inviting his colleagues to enjoy
a piece.