Bryant S. Hinckley

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Bryant Stringham Hinckley (July 9, 1867–June 5, 1961) was an American author, religious speaker, civic leader and educator. He served as a prominent mid-level leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 20th century. His books were primarily designed for a Latter-day Saint audience.

Hinckley was the father of Gordon B. Hinckley,[1] who would later serve as an apostle and the president of the LDS Church. His brother, Alonzo A. Hinckley was also an Apostle. His father was Ira Hinckley.

Hinckley was the principal of the Latter-day Saint high school in Salt Lake City. During the first decade of the 20th century, he was the head of LDS Business College. Hinckley had previously been the head of the Commercial Department at Brigham Young Academy.[2] Today there is a scholarship at LDS Business College named after Hinckley.[3]

Hinckley later served as the superintendent of the LDS Church owned Deseret Gym.

Contents

[edit] Church service

Born in Coalville, Utah, Hinckley was president of the Liberty Stake in Salt Lake City in the 1920s, which was then the largest stake in the church with about 20,000 members.

He also served on the general board of the LDS Church's organization for young men, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. While on this board he moved for the adoption of the Boy Scout program by the church. He had also been on one of the committees that led to the establishment of the Improvement Era. Other members of this committee included B. H. Roberts and Reed Smoot.

In the 1930s Hinckley was president of the Northern States Mission of the LDS Church, which was based in Chicago. While serving in this position he tried to convince the leaders of the LDS Church to rebuild the Nauvoo Temple. Also while in this position he represented the church at the dedication of the monument to the Mormon handcart pioneers in Iowa City erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1936.[4] Also in this capacity he was involved in organizing the celebration of the centennial of Nauvoo in 1939.[5]

[edit] Speaking

Hinckley was also a popular speaker. He attended Brigham Young Academy where he studied under Karl G. Maeser. He won a contest to be the speaker at his commencement, and would be noted the rest of his life as a great orator. Among other speeches to church congregations he gave at least two talks at general conferences.[6][7][8]

Hinckley also participated in giving talks in the church's "Church of the Air" program on KSL radio in the 1930s.[9]

[edit] Later life and recognitions

From 1940-1941 Hinckley served as the President of the BYU Alumni Association. While in this office he was responsible for the formation of the emeritus club, of which he latter served as the leader.[10]

For a time there was a "Bryant S. Hinckley Award" given to recognize people for the service they had performed in boy scouts.[11]

[edit] Family

Hinckley married four times, his first three wives having predeceased him. In 1893, Hinckley married Christina Johnson (1870–1908). After Johnson's death, he married Ada Bitner (1880–1930) in 1909. After Bitner's death, he married May Green (1881–1943) in 1932. After Green's death, he married Lois Anderson (1889–1983) in 1944.

All of Hinckley's children were born to his first two wives, Christina Johnson and Ada Bitner.[12]

[edit] Publications

Biographies:

Inspirational materials:

  • The Faith of Our Pioneer Fathers Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1959.
  • Not by Bread Alone a compilation of inspirational stories aimed at helping teachers.[16]
  • That Ye Might Have Joy a collection of articles compiled by his children, used as a companion to Not by Bread Alone. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, inc., 1958.

Hinckley also wrote several articles for the LDS Church publication, the Improvement Era.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dew, Sherri. "Go Forward with Faith: The biography of Gordon B. Hinckley
  2. ^ Portrait of a BYU Pioneer
  3. ^ Hinckleys Help Create Endowed Scholarship at LDS Business College
  4. ^ Iowa City: birthplace of handcart venture
  5. ^ Welcome to Beautiful Nauvoo, Illinois
  6. ^ LDS Library - Home
  7. ^ Portrait of a BYU Pioneer
  8. ^ Deseret Morning News | President Hinckley receives giant gift for 97th — a BYU building
  9. ^ http://www.booksandcollectibles.com.au/dump/Confetti_Antiques_Books_USA/books-0001.html
  10. ^ Portrait of a BYU Pioneer
  11. ^ Tonkawa District - District 24 - Boy Scouts of America - Awards
  12. ^ Individual Record
  13. ^ Mormon Literature Database - Briant Stringham and His People
  14. ^ Mormon Literature Database - Heber J. Grant
  15. ^ biographies
  16. ^ NOT BY BREAD ALONE by Elder Bryant S. Hinckley

[edit] External links