Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the LDS Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.

The statement from the church said "a successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley's funeral within the next few days."

Hinckley was the most traveled of all previous leaders of the LDS Church, and oversaw a period of dramatic growth in membership in the Mormon Church. The man followers view as a prophet of God presided over a decade when more members of his faith lived outside the United States of America than in it.

The LDS Church has nearly 13 million members in 171 countries.

Hinckley was a leader known for embracing the world's media and demonstrating comfort in answering questions about his religion. The traits were unique for a faith whose leadership has generally been reserved and prone to avoid reporters and the spotlight.

The LDS Church's statement about their leader's death acknowledged the relationship with the media.

"He was a popular interview subject with journalists, appearing on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace and on CNN's Larry King Live, as well as being quoted and featured in hundreds of newspapers and magazines over the years," the statement said.

Hinckley will be remembered among Mormons as a man of quick wit, love of his faith's unique history, undying optimism, and the architect of a unprecedented temple building era.