'Solid, Strong, True'

As current prophet of the LDS Church, Gordon B. Hinckley, 95, guides the religion that Joseph Smith established 175 years ago. Recently he talked with NEWSWEEK's Elise Soukup and Jon Meacham about the experience of "revelation," Smith's legacy and the appeal of the church.

NEWSWEEK: Do you feel a kinship with Joseph Smith, since you stand more or less in his shoes?

HINCKLEY: I almost stand in awe when I think of Joseph Smith. The angel appeared to him in 1823--he said to this simple little boy, "Your name should be known for good and evil throughout the entire world." Today we haven't seen the complete fulfillment of that. But goodness sakes, when we have a General Conference, which we do every six months, we broadcast to our people in 80 different languages and to 167 nations. It's a miracle.

Why do you think the Lord chose Smith? Why was he the one?

Well, in the first place, the Lord picked him. I don't know why. But here was a clean, pure, unsophisticated mind that could be made the recipient of truth without any clouding of any preconceived ideas or notions.

What do you believe is Smith's most meaningful contribution, not only to the church but also to the world?