'Giant in City' award given to Pres. Hinckley
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For his optimistic assessment of what is possible, his spirit of tolerance, his unassuming manner, and for his love of people and of the community, the Salt Lake Chamber recognized President Gordon B. Hinckley as "A Giant In Our City" at a dinner in his honor Oct. 29. The Church leader is the 24th recipient of the chamber's highest award since it was established in 1969.
Before a gathering of some 2,000 people in the Grand America Hotel, Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, presented a plaque to President Hinckley on which was written this tribute:
"President Gordon B. Hinckley is a man who makes no claim to greatness. He shuns praise, but is the first to give it. He is a world leader, yet deeply loves Utah. He is a student of history, yet has vision that extends far into the future. He has strong beliefs and opinions, yet encourages tolerance and understanding. As President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his actions draw attention and admiration, yet President Hinckley attributes much of that notice to the office he holds rather than the man who holds it. To him it is the work the Church does in the community that is worthy of this honor."
In responding to the award, President Hinckley expressed love for Salt Lake City, where he was born, educated, worked and married and where, he said, he "shall be buried."
He likened cities to people. "They grow old and less vibrant if they are neglected," he said. "We of the Church have wanted to keep our city youthful and attractive. People come here to Temple Square from all over the world in ever-increasing numbers, and it is important that we keep the Square and its environs beautiful and inviting. Incidentally, when they come they spend millions of dollars with the business people of this community."
He spoke of the "renewed vitality" recently announced for redeveloping the head of Main Street, and said it will result in increased vitality throughout the entire community. (Please see Church News, Oct. 18.)
"There are those who say that we build in this neighborhood for profit. Nothing could be further from the truth," President Hinckley said. "With a great worldwide church, we face pressing demands in many areas. It is a risky thing we are doing here. There are easier ways, and more certain ways to make a profit than stepping in to purchase and redevelop most of a city block that others have given up on. In the present instance, this was made much more difficult because of the appearance of being in direct competition with our friends at the Gateway (a new shopping development at 300 West between South Temple and 200 South streets). I do not wish them to fail. I want them to succeed and will do all possible to assist in this. It is for this reason, and for this alone, that we determined to build a BYU-Salt Lake Center and an LDS Business College campus on the block immediately east of the Triad Center. This move alone, costly and difficult, will result in bringing more people to all of downtown, even thousands of them."
President Hinckley said the Church's purpose in the endeavor is higher than profit. "It is beauty, vitality, and brightness at the core of the city. Can anyone doubt this when walking through the magnificent gardens of Temple Square and on the block east of the temple? When considering the conversion of the old Hotel Utah to the beautiful Joseph Smith Memorial Building? When sitting in the magnificent Conference Center, the like of which is not found anywhere? When looking upon the stately structures that we have caused to be erected on Main Street and South Temple?
"Would not any city welcome and embrace those willing to risk so much to further its health and vitality? And we are hopeful that this creative spirit will radiate through the entire community."
The money spent, he said, goes to local architects, contractors and suppliers, adding to the general prosperity of the area, and taxes on the commercial properties benefit the community.
"These improvements are significant. But we must not only create physical structures, we must constantly work at binding up the wounds that come of misunderstanding and prejudice," he said. "It grieves me deeply when I hear mean and bitter words that bring about divisiveness. We must constantly cultivate a spirit of trust, friendship, appreciation, and respect one for another. We can disagree theologically without being disagreeable. We believe that all of us are sons and daughters of God, and, therefore, brothers and sisters in a very real sense, and that we ought to so treat one another.
"We must feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and we are contributing millions to this end in this community and are sending millions more across the world to help those in distress, all without regard to religious affiliation.
"We have done much. We have much more to do. We invite all to join in making our community more beautiful, more friendly, more neighborly, with a deeper concern for one another. I hope that you will understand that I speak from my heart when I say this."
He urged citizens to continue working together in building a community of beauty and friendliness. He said something to complain about can be found within every community and every society, but it does no good to carp and criticize and find fault. "To the media and to every individual, I say now is the time to build and beautify, to strengthen and bond, to be proud of our community and to do all we can to make of it a place which all can enjoy and for which all can be grateful."
President Hinckley was accompanied by his wife, Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley, and other family members.
Among those attending the event to honor President Hinckley were President Hinckley's counselors in the First Presidency, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust, and other General Authorities and their wives. Special note was made of the presence of Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve, who, at age 97, is the oldest General Authority.
As a surprise for President Hinckley, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed at the beginning of the awards event.
The invocation was given by the Most Reverend George H. Niederauer of the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese. Participating on the program were Elder Jon M. Huntsman, an Area Authority Seventy who served as master of ceremonies; Spencer F. Eccles, chairman, Intermountain Banking Region, Wells Fargo Bank; and Bernie Machen, president, University of Utah.
Shown was a tribute video produced by Bonneville International Corporation and Freebairn Entertainment.
