Death of Gordon B. Hinckley

The Hon. DAVID CLARKE [5.01 p.m.]: The recent passing, at the grand age of 97, of Gordon B. Hinckley, world leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons as they are known, is a loss deeply felt by the more than 120,000 Latter Day Saints in Australia and the 13 million members of the church worldwide. It is also a loss deeply felt by a great many non-Mormons who, like me, admired him for his articulate and heartfelt advocacy of Christian and family values and for the leadership he provided to so many humanitarian causes throughout the world.

For 13 years Gordon Hinckley presided over the church as its "prophet seer and revelator", a period that saw an unprecedented growth at all levels in the church. Today it is the fourth largest denomination in the United States and is particularly strong in the island nations of the Pacific oceanic region. It was during the presidency of Gordon B. Hinckley that the Mormon Church issued its Proclamation to the Church and to the World on the Family, which is widely acknowledged as one of the clearest enunciations and expositions of the pivotal and sanctifying place that the traditional family was ordained by God to hold for the wellbeing and happiness of mankind.

Under Gordon B. Hinckley's guiding hand the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made clear and unambiguous its support for marriage as an institution involving the union of a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all other unions. Where events have necessitated, the church has actively advocated support for legislation that enshrined in constitutional law this natural law of marriage. The corollary of this stand is that it opposes the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

The church's clear and uncompromising support of the family and traditional marriage is greatly welcomed and stands in stark contrast to the mixed and pitiful signals that continue to emanate from some other denominations I can think of that need to look at themselves and ask why it is that they are declining in numbers and why it is that they are declining in community respect. They need to face up to the fact that they are declining because of their failure to adhere to institutions such as traditional marriage that have their basis in Christian teachings.

The late Gordon B. Hinckley's voice was clear and forthright in such matters. And, likewise, his voice was clear and forthright in expressing the church's condemnation of terrorism and those who work to destroy democracy and freedom. In commenting on such matters, particularly in light of events in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, and on the need for democratic nations to resist efforts to undermine their freedom, President Hinckley issued a statement in 2003 in which he said:

As citizens we are all under the direction of our respective national leaders. They have access to greater political and military intelligence than do the people generally.

Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy. It may even be that the Lord will hold us responsible if we try to impede or hedge up the way of those who are involved in a contest with forces of evil and repression.

For his leadership in a multitude of humanitarian initiatives President Hinckley was the recipient of many awards, citations and honours. In awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, President George W. Bush said:

Gordon B. Hinckley has inspired millions and has led efforts to improve humanitarian aid, disaster relief and educational funding across the globe.

The life of the late President Gordon B. Hinckley was one that exemplified service—service to God, service to his church, service to his nation, and service to humanity. He exemplified family values and the institution of marriage through example and through his own life. He was known for his humility, for his humanity, and for his capacity to reach out and relate to people of all walks of life—to people from all cultures and to people from all nationalities.

At this time I also extend my respects and best wishes to the Latter Day Saint community in Australia. It has a long history in this country extending back to 1851, with its first branch being formed here in Sydney a year later. From 3,000 members in 1955, it has grown to over 120,000 members in all States and Territories of the Commonwealth. And during all that time the Mormon community has unhesitatingly proved to comprise good, upright and loyal citizens of our nation. Apart from their own church's aid and humanitarian programs, they have always been amongst the first to offer practical assistance to programs operated by others, including the Anglican Church, the Catholic Church and the Salvation Army. I conclude by extending my condolences to the Australian Latter Day Saints community on the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley, and I congratulate them on their continuing and significant contribution to Australia.