Amid tears, hugs and memories, thousands view late church leader

Updated 9:30 AM- The Mormon faithful wiped away tears, hugged one another and quietly reminisced about President Gordon B. Hinckley this morning as the first of two days of planned viewings of the man they believe to be their "prophet, seer and revelator" got under way.
    Michelle McAllister, a 21-year-old Weber State University student from Layton, was first in line to view Hinckley's body, which was dressed in temple clothing and laid out surrounded by flowers in the Hall of the Prophets at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City.
    She and friend Kelsey Cox, 19, of the Layton area, arose around 4 a.m. and braved freezing temperatures to be first in line. McAllister at one point resorted to putting her gloves on her feet to stay warm.
    "This is 'The Amazing Race' for us," she said. "We were the first team here."
    She and her friend talked of Hinckley's optimism for the future and of the inspiration he provided to LDS young people. "He has been our prophet," McAllister said.
    Employees of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were allowed in to the viewing starting at 7 a.m., and other mourners followed beginning at 9 a.m. Although the crowd was large and waits in line were long, people streamed steadily past the president, pausing only to lift children for a better view or to dry their eyes.
    Jessica Iu, 22, a Brigham Young University student from Hong Kong, first saw Hinckley when he visited Hong Kong to dedicate a temple there, and her devotion to the man was apparent as she described her experience. "He helped me grow in the church," she said.
    Throughout the Conference Center, signs cautioned mourners against talking or allowing cell phones to ring, and the quiet reverence given the size of the crowd was noteworthy.
    Linda Golson, a 62-year-old missionary from San Diego was impressed at how smoothly the viewing went and is happy the church chose the Conference Center for the event.
    "The way they took us through the building he built, it's part of his legacy," she said. "But his biggest legacy is his love for us. You could feel it," she said.
    Missionary Ann Jenkins, 70, of Tooele, was touched by the reverence shown by mourners. "He [Hinckley] is probably wondering what all the fuss is about," she said.
    Church officials anticipate up to 60,000 people will attend the viewing each day. It continues until 7 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.
    jravitz@sltrib.com