Head of Mormon church to visit Guam

Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is scheduled to be on Guam tomorrow to meet with Micronesia and Guam mission members.

Hinckley will be accompanied by Boyd K. Packer, a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

The stop is part of their scheduled trip through Asia and the Pacific Rim region and the visit is believed to be a first for Guam.

"Never, as the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has he been to Guam," Church Elder John D. Hillam said.

"There's no announced reason for his visit," Hillam said. "When he was sustained as the president and prophet of the church, he stated that one of his goals as president would be to be with the people. This is part of that fulfillment, I guess."

As part of the visit, Hinckley and Packer will hold a special fireside gathering with church members tomorrow night at the Hilton Guam in Tumon. Attendance is expected to be about 800 for that event, Hillam said.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has about 800 members on Guam. Throughout Micronesia, the number totals more than 9,000, Hillam said.

Church missionaries form Saipan, Palau, Yap and Chuuk are flying in to attend the conference, Hillam said. The district presidents or presiding leaders from Majuro, Ebeye, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Saipan also are flying in for the occasion.

If You Go:

• Gordon B. Hinckley and Boyd K. Packer will be the main speakers during a gathering tomorrow at the Hilton Guam.
• The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside the Marianas Ballroom. Seating will take place from 5 to 6:15 p.m. and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Profile:

• Name: Gordon B. Hinckley
• Career: President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was ordained as the 15^th president of the church on March 12, 1995. In addition to his church service, Hinckley has been active in community and business affairs, serving as a board chairman for several businesses.
• Born: June 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Education: After attending Salt Lake City schools and graduating fro the University of Utah in 1932, he served a two-year mission to Great Britain.
• Family: Wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, and five children.

Lloyd Jojola, Pacific Sunday News, 1/30/00, pg3.