Hinckley's death captured front-page headlines from the Montgomery Advertiser in Alabama to the Honolulu Advertiser in Hawaii.
He reached the covers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Idaho Statesman and Los Angeles Times and had his photo displayed above the fold in The Denver Post. The story stretched overseas, appearing on the BBC and several other TV stations operating within the United Kingdom.
Hinckley was branded a hard-charging pioneer of Mormon public relations.
The LA Times extolled him as "the elderly but indefatigable Mormon leader who guided The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into the 21st century by building more temples, traveling more miles and moving Mormonism closer to the religious mainstream than any of his predecessors."


"He was never particularly prophetic in his style or rhetoric, even in a thoroughly Americanized 20th-century sense - a Spencer Kimball he was not. What he was was a careful administrator, a smart businessman with the Lord's time and money, a self-effacing yet effective commander. It is Hinckley and his legacy that have helped ready us for the 21st century, and perhaps even beyond."

- Russell Arben Fox, Times and Seasons blog

"He had a great capacity and great ability to reach out and touch a large number of people with a very personal and human connection. His humanity and gentleness will always be part of the memory we have."
- Presidential candidate Mitt Romney at a news conference in Florida


"With his buoyant personality and affinity for public relations, Mr. Hinckley made Mormonism more familiar to the public and more accepted in the Christian fold."
- The New York Times

"His life was a true testament of service, and he had an abiding love for others. His wit, wisdom and exemplary leadership will be missed by not only members of our faith, but [also] by people of all faiths throughout the world.

"He was an articulate leader and defender of our Christian principles, and had a unique gift and way about him to communicate with people from all walks of life, and all religious persuasions. I truly loved this wonderful man."
- Sen. Orrin Hatch


"He was a tireless worker and a talented communicator who was respected in his community and beloved by his congregation. Laura and I will miss Gordon's friendship and wisdom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his five children and the rest of the Hinckley family."
- President Bush

"I've really seen a positive trend from the LDS Church to recognize the historical importance of their pioneer past, and I think that is a direct reflection of President Hinckley."
- Kirk Huffaker, executive director of the Utah Heritage Foundation

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People found a friend in Gordon B. Hinckley.

The Mormon leader lent his support to the group's advocacy to rename Utah's Human Rights Day in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. His backing won praise from the NAACP and helped sell the Legislature on the name change. Jeanetta Williams, president of the NAACP's Salt Lake City branch, remembers hand-delivering a letter to Hinckley's office regarding the proposal.
"President Hinckley was such a caring man and he will be missed," she said. "He had a deep concern for the community and what others outside of Utah thought about the people in our state."