Truly, my dear young friends, you are a chosen generation. I hope you will never forget it. I hope you will never take it for granted. I hope there will grow in your hearts an overpowering sense of gratitude to God, who has made it possible for you to come upon the earth in this marvelous season of the world's history.

Gordon Bitner Hinckley (June 23 1910 – January 27 2008) was a religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from March 12 1995 until his death. Considered a prophet seer and revelator by church members Hinckley was the oldest person to preside over the church in its history. Hinckley died of natural causes on January 27 2008 and was survived by his five children.