More than 1,000 people of varying religious faiths stood and applauded President Gordon B. Hinckley Feb. 21 as he was honored by the Utah Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

President Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, received the honor at the region Annual Award Dinner in Salt Lake City. The conference has as its stated purpose to promote understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. Christian, Jewish and Muslim denominations are represented in its membership."In his role as a world leader in his church, President Hinckley through the decades has quietly but powerfully been a force in giving to Utah - and the Salt Lake City area particularly - a high level of moral values and practices," said Nick S. Vidalakis, presiding co-chairman of the Utah region. "He has also been a great strength in lifting culture in the Beehive State in his noteworthy support of music, both vocal and instrumental, and the visual arts. For example, he has been a leader in bringing international acclaim to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and in the recognition of the Utah Symphony that has achieved fame among America's foremost orchestras."

The Church leader was given an olive-wood statuette of the prophet Moses, crafted expressly for the occasion by George Lama of Bethlehem. President Hinckley's wife, Marjorie P. Hinckley, received a medallion, a gift of the O.C. Tanner Co. in Salt Lake City.

In a humorous reference to the statuette, President Hinckley said: "Maybe with Moses I can lead you out of this wilderness! I've been to these dinners before, and I know how long they can go on. I intend to be brief; I promised myself I wouldn't speak for more than five minutes."

He said it was "almost embarrassing" to receive the award, adding, "I've tried to do only that which every man ought to do without any thought of recognition, be he Christian, Jew, Muslim or of any other persuasion."

Expressing gratitude to the five men who founded the Utah Region of the conference in 1966, President Hinckley said: "The work of this organization is so urgently needed in a world that is weary of strife and hatred. How very heavy is the burden of human suffering, the suffering that comes of war; of so-called ethnic cleansing; of conflict in the name of religion; of foolish ideas of racial superiority; of intolerance, bigotry and egotism."

Quoting Acts 17:26, Paul's declaration that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth," President Hinckley said: "Each of us here tonight believes in the fatherhood of God, although we may differ in our interpretations of Him. Each of us is part of a great family - the human family, sons and daughters of God, and therefore brothers and sisters. We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of tolerance with forbearance one for another regardless of the doctrines and philosophies we may espouse individually.

"Concerning these, you and I may disagree, but we can do so with respect and civility."

Addressing members of the LDS Church particularly, he called attention to these words from Joseph Smith spoken in July 1843: "It has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a Mormon. I am bold enough to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination." (History of the Church 5:498.)

Commenting on the quotation, President Hinckley said, "This, I hope, has been and will continue to be my standard."

Attending the dinner with their wives were President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency; eight members of the Council of the Twelve - Elders L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, James E. Faust, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales and Jeffrey R. Holland; and other General Authorities. Many government and business leaders also attended.

In consideration of President Hinckley's missionary service in Great Britain from 1933-35, one of the guests was Merrick Baker-Bates, consul general of Great Britain for the western United States, a long-time friend of President Hinckley. He read a tribute to President Hinckley from the Right Honorable Lord Thomson of Fleet (Kenneth R. Thomson), listed in Forbes magazine as one of the 10 most wealthy individuals in the world, whose family owns more newspapers than anyone in the free world.

"One of the world's great religious leaders, President Gordon B. Hinckley has for many years set the highest example of dedication to God and to his fellow men," the message from Lord Thomson read. "Indefatigable in the pursuit of his religious and personal beliefs, he has been the personification of total professional and personal integrity. As one who has had a profound and beneficial influence on the lives of millions of people throughout the world, Mr. Hinckley is a most worthy recipient of the great honor that is being bestowed upon him this evening by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, whose principles he embraces and exemplifies so admirably."

Videotaped tributes were presented from U.S. Rep. Enid Green Waldholtz, who respresents the district in which President Hinckley resides; the Rev. Roger H. Anderson of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, chairman of the Salt Lake Ministerial Association; and U.S. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah's senior senator.

Gov. Michael O. Leavitt of Utah also gave a tribute, recalling a talk given by President Hinckley in Loa, Utah, where the governor has family roots. On that occasion, President Hinckley asked what the letters L-O-A mean. "Then he said, `Love One Another,' " Gov. Leavitt recounted. "Loa will never be the same, nor will those who live there."

Members of the Windsor Club, returned missionaries who served with President Hinckley in Great Britain, attended the dinner to honor him.

Three national sports figures, all Church members, each gave a memento to President Hinckley. Dale Murphy, formerly of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, gave him a ball and bat. Larry Miller, owner of the Utah Jazz NBA basketball team, gave him a basketball signed by the ownership, management, coaches and players of the team. Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers football team, who was named most valuable player in last month's Super Bowl, gave him a football.

The featured speaker at the dinner was Malcolm S. Forbes Jr., editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine and president and chief executive officer of Forbes Inc. Before delivering his comments on U.S. economic trends and forecasts, he said of President Hinckley: "

HisT life is a model and an inspiration in a secular age for people and for all of us who yearn for spiritual guidance. He is a humane hero and a genuine hero. So I'm privileged to be here tonight, President Hinckley. You're a wonderful man. I've just gotten to know you, but the many people here tonight are ample testimony that your life is a living example, and may there be more like you in the years ahead."

Michael Ballam, professor of music at Utah State University and a prominent LDS musician, sang while accompanying himself on the piano. One of the selections, he sang, "O Danny Boy," is a favorite tune of President Hinckley because he recalls hearing it as he first embarked on his mission to Great Britain, sung by an Irish tenor there.