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Romney Skips Trail to Grieve Mormon Leader

Thousands mourn 'giant among men' at funeral in Utah

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2008 6:58 PM CST
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(Newser) – GOP hopeful Mitt Romney ducked Super Tuesday stumping today to attend Mormon Church President Gordon Hinckley's funeral in Utah, but a Mitt aide still parried concerns about the hopeful's beliefs, Reuters reports. "The governor is proud of his faith,” he said. "After the funeral is over, we'll get back to the campaign trail." Meanwhile Mitt joined thousands to mourn Hinckley, who died last week at age 97, Deseret Morning News reports.

“Our father was adorable,” Hinckley's daughter said to listeners at the conference center for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Disciplined and courageous, with an unbelievable capacity for work, he believed in growth.” Other church figures recalled Hinckley's optimism and easy demeanor during his nearly 13 years as president, when church membership swelled to 13 million in 160 countries, the AP reports.

Dignitaries, including presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, center, wait as the casket carrying Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Mormon church, is positioned during funeral services Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Hinckley died Sunday. He was 97. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)
Dignitaries, including presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, center, wait as the casket carrying Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Mormon church, is positioned during funeral services...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, right, and his wife Ann, right, greet Utah Sen. Bob Bennett, left, during the funeral service of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Mormon church, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Salt Lake City....
In this photo released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney, right, and his wife Ann, right, greet Utah Sen. Bob Bennett, left, during the funeral service...   (Associated Press)
People cross the street to attend the funeral of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Conference Center on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 in Salt Lake City. Hinckley died last Sunday at the age of 97. (AP Photo / Fred Hayes)
People cross the street to attend the funeral of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Conference Center on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 in Salt Lake City....   (Associated Press)
Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir cry at the funeral service for Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero )
Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir cry at the funeral service for Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Salt Lake City, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Thomas S. Monson gives his closing remarks during the funeral service of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Mormon church, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Hinckley died Sunday. He was 97. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)
Thomas S. Monson gives his closing remarks during the funeral service of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Mormon church, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Hinckley died Sunday. He was 97....   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, center right, and his wife Ann, right, greet Jackie Leavitt, center, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, left, and John Huntsman Sr., center left, during the funeral service of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the...
In this photo released by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, center right, and his wife Ann, right, greet Jackie Leavitt, center, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch,...   (Associated Press)
Mormon faithful wave their handkerchiefs as the casket of Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Mormon Church, is taken out during the funeral service Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Hinckley died Sunday. He was 97. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)
Mormon faithful wave their handkerchiefs as the casket of Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Mormon Church, is taken out during the funeral service Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Hinckley...   (Associated Press)
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More on Romney's Mormonism and the funeral
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Mormons remember Hinckley
New York Times

Hinckley clicked with young believers
Salt Lake Tribune

 
Mitt Romney • John McCain • Salt Lake City • Utah • Mormon • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • Gordon Hinckley

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