The Administration of President Heber J. Grant
1918-
President Heber J. Grant
By virtue of his position as president of the council of apostles,
Heber J. Grant became the presiding officer of the Church at the death
of President Smith. Heeding the instruction of President Wilford
Woodruff--which was given by revelation, and was followed by Presidents
Snow and Smith--that the First Presidency should be organized without
delay, the council of apostles met November 23, 1918, in the temple,
and Heber J. Grant was sustained and set apart as President of the
Church. He selected as his counselors Anthon H. Lund and Charles W.
Penrose, who had served with President Joseph F. Smith.
President Grant was born November 22, 1856, in Salt Lake City. He is
the son of Jedediah Morgan and Rachel Ridgeway Ivins Grant. He is a
man of great activity and endless energy; full of sympathy for the
down-trodden and the poor. In the financial world he is recognized as
a man of keen ability, yet his life has been constantly devoted to the
welfare and progress of the Church, his labors in the ministry dating
from his early youth. In 1880 he was called to preside over the Tooele
Stake of Zion, succeeding Francis M. Lyman who had been called into
the council of the twelve. Two years later (October 16, 1882) he was
himself ordained an apostle, having been called, with Elder George
Teasdale, to that office by revelation. In 1901 he went to Japan and
there opened the door for the preaching of the Gospel, and after his
return he was called to preside over the European mission, where he
labored for three years.
The General Conference Postponed
Because of the influenza epidemic no meetings were held during the
winter and spring of 1919. On this account, the general conference,
which otherwise would have been held in April, was postponed until June
1, 1919. On that occasion the solemn assembly of the Priesthood was
held, and the authorities of the Church were sustained by the usual
separate vote of the quorums. That conference was devoted largely to a
memorial service for President Joseph F. Smith.
Dedication of the Hawaiian Temple
Thanksgiving day, November 27, 1919, the temple at Laie, Hawaii, was
dedicated by President Heber J. Grant. He was accompanied to that land
by President Anthon H. Lund, Rudger Clawson, Stephen L. Richards,
Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley and Arthur Winter. The dedicatory
services were repeated, five services being held to accommodate all
the people--1,239 souls attending the services. This is the first
temple erected outside of the continental United States, and is for the
benefit of the native Saints of the islands of the Pacific, The mission
in the Hawaiian Islands was opened in 1850 by George Q. Cannon and
others, and thousands of the natives received the Gospel. The site for
the Hawaiian temple was dedicated by President Joseph F. Smith, June 1,
1915.
Passing of President Lund--Changes in the Presidency
After a brief illness, President Anthon H. Lund, first counselor in the
presidency, passed away at his home in Salt Lake City, March 2, 1921.
He served in the presidency during the entire ministry of President
Joseph F. Smith, having been chosen second counselor in October, 1901.
After the death of John R. Winder, the first counselor, he was advanced
to that position in April, 1910. President Lund was a man without
guile, faithful and true to the Gospel and to the brethren, and beloved
by all the Saints.
At the meeting of the council of the presiding authorities held in
the Salt Lake Temple, Thursday, March 10, 1921, President Charles W.
Penrose was chosen by President Heber J. Grant as his first counselor,
and Elder Anthony W. Ivins as his second counselor. Rudger Clawson was
at the same time, set apart as president of the twelve apostles, as he
became the ranking apostle after the death of President Lund.
Conclusion
At the general conference of the Church held in April, 1920, the
one hundredth anniversary of the Prophet's vision of the Father and
the Son, was fittingly observed. The remarks of the brethren who
spoke had a bearing on the great work accomplished by the Prophet
and the authenticity of his vision. The _Improvement Era_, the organ
of the priesthood quorums of the Church, and the Young Men's Mutual
Improvement Association, devoted the April number to special articles
dealing with the theme of the Vision, and other magazines did the same.
A cantata by Evan Stephens, "The Vision," which was prepared for the
occasion, was rendered before a crowded house in the tabernacle, and
special topics were considered in the several wards, following the
conference.
Ninety years before (1830) the Church was organized with but six
members. In 1920 it numbered several hundred thousands. Its property in
meeting houses, tabernacles, temples and other necessary buildings, was
valued at many millions of dollars. There were 83[1] stakes of Zion,
871 organized wards and 83 branches within those stakes. Missionary
work had been carried to various parts of the earth, and there were 24
regularly established missions with numerous conferences and branches.
Each stake of Zion contained a high priests' quorum, and there were 209
quorums of seventy. The total number of men holding the Melchizedek
Priesthood was 57,600 and the total number holding the Aaronic
Priesthood was 49,780. Many thousands of young people were enrolled in
the auxiliary organizations of the Church, and it was conceded by many
ministers of other churches, that the "Mormon" Sunday Schools were the
best that could be found in all the world.[2]
The Church at the close of the first one hundred years of its history,
dating from the Prophet's vision in 1820, was looked upon as a power in
the earth for good by the great and wise men of the nations. Knowledge
of its work had been brought to the attention of kings, presidents and
rulers of the earth. The prospects before it for advancement and growth
were bright, and it appeared that the prophecy of Isaiah was about to
be fulfilled:
"Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the
people; . . . lift up a standard for the people.
"Behold the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye
to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his
reward is with him, and his work before him.
"And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the
LORD; and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."
--Isaiah 62:10-12
Notes
1. Three other stakes have since been organized.
2. At a synod held in Salt Lake City, in September 1921, at which the
ministers of the Episcopal Church of the Fourth Province of the Pacific
assembled, Rev. W. F. Bulkley said: "We may learn much from the Mormon
Church; it has the best Sunday school organization of any church in the
world." --_Salt Lake Tribune_, September 9, 1921, p. 15.
Appendix: The Auxiliary Organizations of the Church
In addition to the quorums of the priesthood, there are in the Church a
number of helpful organizations known as the auxiliary organizations.
These are: The National Woman's Relief Society, The Deseret Sunday
School Union, The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, The Young
Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, and The Primary Association.
There are two other organizations which are not classed as auxiliaries,
namely, The Religion Classes--an adjunct of the Church School
system--and the Genealogical Society of Utah, which is closely related
in its work to the temples.
A brief statement of the organization, accomplishments and aims of
these societies is here given.
The National Woman's Relief Society
The Relief Society, now known as the National Woman's Relief Society,
was organized in Nauvoo, March 17, 1842, by Joseph Smith, the Prophet,
assisted by Elders John Taylor and Willard Richards. The object of
the society, as stated by the Prophet, was "to look after the wants
of the poor, to search after objects of charity, and to administer
to their wants; to assist by correcting the morals and strengthening
the virtues of the community, and thus to save the elders the trouble
of rebuking." He also expressed the desire that the society might be
built up in a most high and acceptable manner, and should be a select
company of the virtuous, and those who would walk circumspectly. One
feature of the work of the society should be to purge out iniquity,
surmount difficulties, "though the soul be tried, the heart faint, and
hands hang down." The members should observe the laws of God, hearken
to counsel and keep free from the evils of the world, and be "choice,
virtuous and holy."
This organization, composed exclusively of the women of the Church,
now (1922) numbers about fifty thousand members. It has accomplished a
wonderful work in the care of the poor, alleviating the distress of the
needy, the sick and afflicted, comforting those who mourn and preparing
the dead for burial. All this work, and much more, which would fill
volumes, has been accomplished in the spirit of true charity and love
by the members, who unitedly endeavor to carry out the admonition
and instruction given by President Joseph Smith at the time of the
organization in 1842.
Outlines have been prepared from year to year and a course of study
presented to the members by which they are trained not only in their
duties as members of the society, but also in various branches of
education, to the intent that they may be better equipped for the
duties of life.
The Deseret Sunday School Union
In the fall of 1848, a little more than a year after the arrival of
the pioneers, Richard Ballantyne came to the Salt Lake Valley with his
family. He located in the old fort and the following spring made plans
for a home. He arranged his building to provide for the holding of a
Sunday School, and on Sunday, December 9, 1849, the first Sunday School
in the Rocky Mountains was held at his home, Elder Ballantyne being
both superintendent and teacher. His Sunday School was popular among
the members of the Church and was well attended until the year 1850,
when a chapel was erected in the Fourteenth Ward into which the Sunday
school was transferred. Not long after this other Sunday schools were
organized in Salt Lake City and in a number of other settlements in
Utah. However, there was no uniformity of method or course of study in
these schools.
The possibility of the Sunday school as an agency for teaching the
Gospel to the youth was early recognized and the importance of
uniformity and co-operation in this task was urged early in 1866. In
November, 1866, as a result of the growing sentiment, a meeting was
called at which a general organization was effected for the purpose
of concentrating and unifying Sunday school efforts. Elder George Q.
Cannon was elected president of the organization which was called
the Deseret Sunday School Union. The scope of the activity of the
Deseret Sunday School Union is Church-wide, and its purpose is to
establish uniformity in Sunday school methods, to develop greater
teaching efficiency, and through co-operation to improve the quality
of the work done. The _Juvenile Instructor_, first published by Elder
George Q. Cannon early in 1856, is the official organ of the Deseret
Sunday School Union, and is a potent factor in accomplishing these
results. It contains uniform lessons for each department in the Sunday
schools. Teacher-training work, as a means of developing greater
teaching efficiency, was first undertaken by the Sunday schools under
the leadership of the general board. This movement has since attained
Church-wide application under the leadership and direction of the
Priesthood.
As an organization, auxiliary to the Priesthood, the ultimate aim
of the Sunday schools is to teach the principles of the Gospel and
to stimulate the pupils to render willing obedience thereto. More
specifically, the Sunday school aims so to equip its members that they
will be able not only to work out their own salvation through the
application of, and obedience to, the principles of the Gospel which
they have been taught, but also to prepare themselves for service in
the Priesthood, in the mission fields, and in the organizations at
home, through which opportunities are afforded them to render service
to others. The Sunday school recognizes no age limit, but aims to
accommodate all grades of spiritual development from infancy to old age.
From a membership of 50 pupils in the first Sunday school, the
enrollment has increased until in 1920 there were 970 Sunday schools in
the organized stakes of Zion with an enrollment of 170,164 pupils and
18,184 officers and teachers. The Sunday school work and organization
extend into the missions where there are 596 schools which have an
enrollment of 25,189 pupils, and 4,623 officers and teachers. The
Sunday school in the mission field is recognized as the best means of
arousing interest in the work of the Church and as a step toward the
establishing of branches. --_Albert Hamer Reiser, general secretary._
The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations
The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints were begun in the year 1875, the first
organization having been effected in the Thirteenth ward, Salt Lake
City, on the 10th day of June, that year, by Junius F. Wells, under
the immediate instruction and direction of President Brigham Young.
In 1921 there were 796 associations in the 871 wards and 86 stakes
of the Church, with an active membership of 43,562 and a force of
officers of 6,116. In 22 missions of the Church there are a large
number of associations, with an encouraging membership; and much good
is being accomplished for and by the young people. The organization
is supervised by a general board under the direction of the general
authorities of the Church. A central organization consisting of a
superintendent, two assistants, the secretary, treasurer, and several
aids, has charge in each stake. Each ward is officered by a president,
two counselors, secretary, treasurer, class leaders, scoutmaster, and
other assistants for special work in music, recreation, athletics,
leisure-time activities, etc. Standing committees in all the
organizations look after the details of the work. The Y. M. M. I.
A. as an auxiliary organization, while independent in its actions,
studies, recreation and general activity, is under the controlling
influence of the general stake and ward officers of the Church. At the
organization, President Brigham Young stated the keynote of the work of
these organizations to be "the establishment in the youth of individual
testimony of the truth and magnitude of the great latter-day work;
the development of the gifts within them that have been bestowed upon
them by the laying on of hands of the servants of God; cultivating a
knowledge and an application of the eternal principles of the great
science of life." This great body of young men appeals for place and
opportunity to work, to offer a helping hand in building up the Church
of Christ, and to lend effective service to their fellowmen and in the
cause of God. They stand for the mutual improvement of the youth of
Zion. Their souls are thrilled with the grand vision of the future,
and their hearts with the testimony of the glorious destiny of God's
"marvelous work and a wonder" of the latter days. The aim of their
organization is, first, to impress them and all the youth of Israel
with a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as restored through
Joseph the Prophet, and to this end they seek all useful knowledge by
which they may be helpful in its establishment. They desire to learn
to preside over public assemblies, to express themselves before the
public, to study and to practice religious, civil, vocational, social
and recreational, scientific and educational affairs, and to be trained
in all that pertains to religious, moral, physical and intellectual
advancement. The further object of the organization is to answer every
desire of the young men of our community for excellence and enjoyment,
and to provide for the gratification of every legitimate ambition and
impulse to excel in these fields of endeavor without having to seek
opportunity elsewhere. In a word, the aim of the Y. M. M. I. A. is to
assist every young man to "complete living on the foundation of faith
in God and his great latter-day work;" or, in other words, to live in
perfect harmony with the established standards of the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ.
The activities of the organization consists in the adoption of many
interesting and attractive details for work and service, including
advanced senior, senior, and junior studies, in new and attractive
manuals; scout work; recreational programs; leisure-time activities,
and other features of marked interest to young people. Their
organization presents to them fascinating programs to hold their
attention in the wonderful business of building characters in their own
lives, and in establishing faith in God and his great latter-day work.
For a general heading for some of the declarations that this
organization has made, and for which the young men stand, it is fitting
to use the words of the Psalmist: "In the name of our God we will set
up our banners." To this end they present the following slogans: "We
stand for a sacred Sabbath and a weekly half holiday; for a weekly home
evening; for state and nation-wide prohibition; for thrift and economy;
for service to God and country; for spiritual growth through attendance
at sacrament meetings; for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco; and for
loyal citizenship."
Some trust in the wealth of mines, some in the riches of the earth,
others gather houses and lands, or lean upon the learning and wisdom
of men; but even as David, God's servant of old, the Y. M. M. I. A.
declare: "We will remember the name of the Lord our God. He will hear
us from his holy heaven, hear and fulfil our petitions and redeem us
with the saving strength of his right hand." Setting up these slogans
and ideals and, adding thereto, as the years go by, all helpful and
useful knowledge and service, we will not only remember the name of
the Lord our God, but will rejoice in his salvation, and in his name
will seek to conquer evil and establish righteousness. --_Edward H.
Anderson, Editor of the_ Improvement Era.
The Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association
The Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association had its origin in the
Retrenchment Association, organized by President Brigham Young in the
Lion House on November 28, 1869. Its membership consisted entirely
of his own daughters, Ella Young being president, with Emily, Zina,
Maria, Carlie, Phebe, and Dora Young as associate officers. The purpose
of this Retrenchment Association, as President Young expressed it,
was "to retrench in dress, in speech, in everything that is bad and
worthless, and to improve in everything that is good and beautiful." He
also stated that he wished his daughters and the girls of the Church
generally to gain for themselves a knowledge and testimony of the
Gospel.
Associations of other young women were soon patterned after the
original one and later the name was changed to Mutual Improvement
Association to harmonize with a similar organization which had been
formed among the young men. In 1880 the general board was organized
with Elmina S. Taylor, president; Margaret Y. Taylor, and Martha Home
Tingey as counselors.
The fundamental aim has always been to give religious and moral
instruction and in addition such other lines of work as will help to
prepare girls for their true position in the home and community life.
Courses in the study of the standard works of the Church, and in
literature, home economics, ethics, history, etc., have been provided.
In connection with the Young Men's Association, a line of work
designated as "special activities" is conducted. This comprises music,
public speaking, story-telling, declamation, drama, debating, etc. Much
of the social work of the Church is under the direction of the two
associations.
The official organ of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association
is the _Young Woman's Journal_, a monthly magazine. This reflects
the spirit of the organization and is the medium through which the
general board reaches the stake and ward officers and members of the
association. It has a subscription of about 18,000.
The junior members of the association are known as bee-hive girls, the
work provided being of the nature of the camp fire work and parallel to
that of the boy scouts. There are some 14,000 bee-hive girls, in age
from 14 to 16 years. There are also senior classes in all of the local
associations and advanced senior classes in the majority of them.
The present total membership (April 1, 1921) is 44,681. Two hundred
seventy-six of this number are giving services in the Mission Field.
--_Clarissa Beesley, general secretary._
The Primary Association
The need of child culture and special religious training for the
children was the motive that prompted the organization of the Primary
Association in the Church. The Lord has placed the responsibility of
the training of the children of Church members on the shoulders of the
parents, where it properly belongs. However, in the multitude of duties
it is necessary that some help be extended to assist the parents in the
important labor, and the various auxiliary organizations were given for
this purpose.
The following account of the origin and aims of the Primary Association
is furnished by that organization:
"The Primary Association originated at Farmington, Davis County, Utah,
where the first meeting was held on the 25th day of August, 1878.
"For some time previous, Sister Aurelia S. Rogers, the pioneer in this
work, had reflected with much seriousness upon the need of a more
strict guardianship over the boys and girls of Zion. She felt the
necessity for more religious and moral training than they were then
receiving; believed that children should be taught to beautify the home
with the workmanship of their own hands, and learn to cultivate a love
for music, for flowers, and for the beautiful in all things.
"The matter was brought to the attention of Sister Eliza R. Snow and a
consultation was held with President John Taylor, Emmeline B. Wells,
and others, resulting in a decision to organize what is now known as
'The Primary Association.' It was resolved that the instruction should
be of religious and moral character in all that tends toward the
development of upright men and women.
"Accordingly, on the 11th of August, 1878, Aurelia S. Rogers was set
apart to preside over a Primary Association in Farmington. The ward
was systematically visited and the name of every child recorded. Two
weeks later the children were called together, the object of the work
was explained to them, and the career of the association began. In
addition to the meeting where general instructions were given including
lessons on obedience, faith in God, prayer (individual and in concert),
punctuality, and good manners, there were program and testimony
meetings. A quarterly gathering was held every three months to which
the parents were invited and a special program rendered. Lessons were
given on the planting of beans and corn, to be stored for times of
famine, in the making of rag carpets for use in Church buildings; and
much emphasis was laid on the necessity for obedience to the word of
wisdom.
"Similar associations were organized in other places, and on the 19th
day of June, 1880, Sister Louie B. Felt, then president of the Eleventh
Ward Association in Salt Lake City, was called to preside over the
Primary Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in all the world."
There are 873 associations in the Church, with a total enrollment of
70,816 officers and children.
The Religion Classes
Since the first year after the Church was organized it has maintained
schools in which religion has been taught. Even in their early
persecutions and drivings, whenever a sufficient number of members
settled in any locality long enough to justify it, some suitable person
was selected to teach and a school was organized. Religion was always a
prominent study in them, and the study of the Bible was common in most
of the schools of the nation.
When the schools began to be maintained by the state, however, and
people of all religious beliefs were obliged to pay taxes for their
support, the Bible and all religious teachings were banished from the
public schools because of the jealousy of the patrons over religious
tenets. When this movement reached the settlements of our people in
the West they yielded to it, but with deep disappointment, and to
make up this loss the authorities of the Church established a system
of Religion Classes to be held before or after school, and taught by
volunteer teachers who serve without pay.
In these Religion Classes the more practical principles of the
Gospel are taught, and in such a way as to induce to good and noble
actions. The organization and methods of teaching resemble those of
the day school whose work they are designed to supplement. Up to the
present time these classes are held only once a week, except in a few
instances, but the original purpose and ultimate aim is to have them
meet daily as other day school classes. In this way the religious and
moral elements, now so lacking in the work of the public schools and
so much needed to guide and control intellectual efficiency, will be
supplied, and a more balanced development secured.
The Religion Classes are a part of the Church School system and are
under the supervision of the Church Commissioners of Education. Classes
are organized in almost every ward in the Church and about 50,000
pupils are enrolled. --_Horace H. Cummings, of the General Board._
The Genealogical Society of Utah
The Genealogical Society of Utah was organized at a meeting held in the
office of Franklin D. Richards, Church historian, November 13, 1894.
It was decided by those present to organize a society the purposes of
which were "to be benevolent in collecting, compiling, establishing
and maintaining a genealogical library for the use and benefit of its
members and others; educational in disseminating information regarding
genealogical matters; and also religious."
The officers consist of a board of seven directors, and a president,
vice-president, secretary, treasurer and librarian, who were to be
selected from among the board of directors. The original members were
Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow,
Franklin D. Richards, John Nicholson, Amos Milton Musser, James H.
Anderson, James B. Walkley, Abraham H. Cannon, George Reynolds, John
Jacques and Duncan M. McAllister.
A room in the historian's office was tendered by Historian Franklin D.
Richards, for the use of the society "until such time as circumstances
required a change of location, the use of said room to be free of
charge."
Franklin D. Richards was chosen as president of the society; John
Nicholson, vice-president; James H. Anderson, secretary; Amos Milton
Musser, treasurer; John Jacques, librarian. These, with Andrew Jenson,
formed the board of directors.
At the third meeting of the society, November 20, 1894, articles of
incorporation were prepared and the society was duly incorporated. The
first books received by the society were also donated by the charter
members at this meeting, consisting of eleven volumes. This was the
nucleus of a library which, it is hoped by its members, is destined to
become second to none in the world.
At the beginning of the year 1895, the society had twenty-eight life
members and twenty annual members. At the close of the year 1907
there were one hundred and eight life members and sixty-five annual
members and the library contained sixteen hundred volumes. In the year
1908 the society took on new life, an impetus was given to the work
of salvation for the dead and the people commenced to give greater
attention to the gathering of the records of their ancestors. The
volume of business during the years 1908-9 was greater than that which
had been accomplished during the previous existence of the society. The
work of the society was extensively advertised and was placed on a firm
footing. At the close of the year 1921, there had been issued 3,100
life memberships, 6,512 annual memberships, including renewals, and the
library contained 6,500 volumes.
The Genealogical Society of Utah is a Church institution. It is not
confined to the borders of Utah, but is as extensive in its field of
activity as is the Church. It was organized for the purpose of aiding
the members of the Church in the collecting and compiling of the
records of their dead preparatory to the performance of ordinance work
for their salvation in the temples of the Lord.
Appendix: General Authorities of the Church
Presidents of the Church
Joseph Smith
Born Dec. 23, 1805, at Sharon, Vermont; received the Melchizedek
Priesthood from Peter, James and John in 1820; sustained April, 1830,
as First Elder and Oliver Cowdery as Second Elder of the Church, at
the age of 24; sustained January 25, 1832, as President of the High
Priesthood at a conference at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio; murdered
June 27, 1844, at Carthage Jail, Illinois.
Brigham Young
Born June 1, 1801, at Whittingham, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb.
14, 1835, by Joseph Smith and the three witnesses of the Book of
Mormon; sustained Dec. 27, 1847, as President of the Church, at the age
of 46; died Aug. 29, 1877, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
John Taylor
Born Nov. 1, 1808, at Milnthorpe, England; ordained an apostle Dec. 19,
1838, under the hands of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball; sustained
Oct. 10, 1880, as President of the Church, at the age of 72; died July
25, 1887, at Kaysville, Davis County, Utah.
Wilford Woodruff
Born March 1, 1807, at Avon, Connecticut; ordained an apostle April
26, 1839, by Brigham Young; sustained April 7, 1889, as President of
the Church, at the age of 82; died Sept. 2, 1898, at San Francisco,
California.
Lorenzo Snow
Born April 3, 1814, at Mantua, Ohio; ordained an apostle Feb. 12, 1849,
by Heber C. Kimball; sustained Sept. 13, 1898, as President of the
Church, at the age of 84; died Oct. 10, 1901, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Joseph F. Smith
Born Nov. 13, 1838, at Far West, Missouri; ordained an apostle July 1,
1866, by Brigham Young, and set apart as one of the twelve apostles
Oct. 8, 1867; sustained Oct. 17, 1901, as President of the Church, at
the age of 63; died Nov. 19, 1918, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Heber J. Grant
Born Nov. 22, 1856, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle
by George Q. Cannon, October 16, 1882; sustained Nov. 23, 1918, as
President of the Church, at the age of 63.
First Counselors in the First Presidency
Sidney Rigdon
Born Feb. 19, 1793, at St. Clair, Pennsylvania; ordained a high priest
by Joseph Smith and set apart March 18, 1833, as first counselor in
the First Presidency by Joseph Smith, at the age of 40; excommunicated
Sept. 8, 1844; died July 14, 1876, at Friendship, Alleghany County, New
York.
Heber C. Kimball
Born June 14, 1801, at Sheldon, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb. 14,
1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin
Harris; sustained Dec. 27, 1847, as first counselor in the First
Presidency, at the age of 46; died June 22, 1868, at Salt Lake City,
Utah.
George A. Smith
Born June 26, 1817, at Potsdam, New York; ordained an apostle April
26, 1839, by Heber C. Kimball; sustained October 6, 1868, as first
counselor in the First Presidency, at the age of 51; died Sept. 1,
1875, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
John W. Young
Born Oct. 1, 1844, at Nauvoo, Illinois; sustained Oct. 7, 1876, as
first counselor in the First Presidency, at the age of 32; retired at
the death of Brigham Young.
George Q. Cannon
Born Jan. 11, 1827, at Liverpool, England; ordained an apostle Aug. 26,
1860, by Brigham Young; sustained Oct. 10, 1880, as first counselor in
the First Presidency, at the age of 62; sustained April 7, 1889, as
first counselor to President Woodruff and also to President Lorenzo
Snow, Sept. 13, 1898; died April 12, 1901, at Monterey, California.
John R. Winder
Born Dec. 11, 1821, at Biddenden, England; ordained a high priest March
4, 1872, by Edward Hunter; sustained Oct. 17, 1901, as first counselor
in the First Presidency, at the age of 80; died March 27, 1910, at Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Anthon H. Lund
Born May 15, 1844, at Aalborg, Denmark; ordained an apostle Oct. 7,
1889, by George Q. Cannon; sustained April 7, 1910, as first counselor
in the First Presidency, at the age of 66; died March 2, 1921, at Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Charles W. Penrose
Born Feb. 4, 1832, at London, England; ordained an apostle July 7,
1904, by Joseph F. Smith; sustained March 10, 1921, as first counselor
in the First Presidency, at the age of 89.
Second Counselors in the First Presidency
Fred'k G. Williams
Born Oct. 28, 1787, at Suffield, Connecticut; called by revelation
March, 1832, to be a high priest and counselor to Joseph Smith;
ordained and set apart March 18, 1833, as second counselor in the First
Presidency by Joseph Smith, at the age of 46; rejected Nov. 7, 1837;
died Oct. 10, 1842, at Quincy, Illinois.
Hyrum Smith
Born Feb. 9, 1800, at Tunbridge, Vermont; ordained a high priest June
6, 1831, by Joseph Smith; chosen as second counselor in the First
Presidency, Nov. 7, 1837, at the age of 37; called to be Patriarch Jan.
24, 1841; murdered June 27, 1844, at Carthage, Illinois.
William Law
Born Sept. 8, 1809; ordained and set apart Jan. 24, 1841, as second
counselor in the First Presidency, at the age of 32, excommunicated
April 18, 1844; died Jan. 19, 1892, at Shullsburg, Wisconsin.
Willard Richards
Born June 24, 1804, at Hopkinton, Massachusetts; ordained an apostle
April 14, 1840, by Brigham Young; sustained Dec. 27, 1847, as second
counselor in the First Presidency, at the age of 43; died March 11,
1854, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jedediah M. Grant
Born Feb. 21, 1816, at Windsor, New York; set apart as second counselor
in the First Presidency, April 7, 1854, at the age of 38; died Dec. 1,
1856, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Daniel H. Wells
Born Oct. 27, 1814, at Trenton, New York; ordained an apostle and set
apart as second counselor in the First Presidency, January 4, 1857,
by Brigham Young, at the age of 43; retired at the death of President
Young; died March 24, 1891, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Joseph F. Smith
Born Nov. 13, 1838, at Far West, Missouri; set apart as one of the
twelve apostles Oct. 8, 1867; sustained Oct. 10, 1880, as second
counselor to President John Taylor, at the age of 41; also sustained as
second counselor to President Wilford Woodruff, April 7, 1889, and to
President Lorenzo Snow, Sept. 13, 1898; sustained as President of the
Church Oct. 17, 1901; died Nov. 19, 1918, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Anthon H. Lund
Born May 15, 1844, at Aalborg, Denmark; ordained an apostle Oct.
7, 1889, by George Q. Cannon; sustained as second counselor in the
First Presidency, Oct. 17, 1901, at the age of 51; advanced to first
counselor April 7, 1910; died March 2, 1921, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
John Henry Smith
Born Sept. 18, 1848, at Carbunca, Iowa; ordained an apostle Oct. 27,
1880, by Wilford Woodruff; sustained April 7, 1910, as second counselor
in the First Presidency, at the age of 62; died Oct. 13, 1911, at Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Charles W. Penrose
Born Feb. 4, 1832, at London, England; ordained an apostle July 7,
1904, by Joseph F. Smith; sustained Dec. 7, 1911, as second counselor
in the First Presidency, at the age of 79; advanced to first counselor
March 10, 1921.
Anthony W. Ivins
Born Sept. 16, 1852, at Toms River, New Jersey; ordained an apostle
Oct. 6, 1907, by Joseph F. Smith; sustained as second counselor in the
First Presidency, March 10, 1921, at the age of 68.
The Apostles of the Church
Thomas B. Marsh
Born Nov. 1, 1799, at Acton, Massachusetts; ordained an apostle April
26, 1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer
and Martin Harris, at the age of 36; President of the council of
apostles; excommunicated for apostasy March 17, 1839; returned to the
Church in 1857; died in 1860 at Ogden, Utah.
David W. Patten
Born in 1800, at Theresa, New York; ordained an apostle Feb. 15, 1835,
at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris, at the age of 35; shot Oct. 25, 1838, at the Battle of
Crooked River, Missouri.
Brigham Young
Born June 1, 1801, at Whittingham, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb.
14, 1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer
and Martin Harris, at the age of 34; President of the council of
apostles; sustained Dec. 27, 1847, as President of the Church; died
Aug. 29, 1877, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Heber C. Kimball
Born June 14, 1801, at Sheldon, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb. 14,
1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris, at the age of 34; died June 22, 1868, at Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Orson Hyde
Born Jan. 8, 1805, at Oxford, Connecticut; ordained an apostle Feb. 15,
1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris, at the age of 30; died Nov. 28, 1878, at Spring City,
Utah.
William E. McLellin
Born 1806, in Tennessee; ordained an apostle Feb. 15, 1835, at
Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin
Harris, at the age of 29; excommunicated May 11, 1838; died April 24,
1883, at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.
Parley P. Pratt
Born April 12, 1807, at Burlington, New York; ordained an apostle Feb.
21, 1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer
and Martin Harris, at the age of 28; assassinated May 13, 1857, at Van
Buren, Arkansas.
Luke S. Johnson
Born Nov. 3, 1807, at Pomfret, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb. 15,
1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer
and Martin Harris, at the age of 28; excommunicated April 13, 1838;
returned to the Church, and died Dec. 9, 1861, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
William B. Smith
Born March 13, 1811, at Royalton, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb. 15,
1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris, at the age of 24; excommunicated Oct. 12, 1845; died
Nov. 13, 1893, at Osterdock, Clayton County, Iowa.
Orson Pratt
Born Sept. 19, 1811, at Hartford, New York; ordained an apostle April
26, 1835, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin
Harris, at Kirtland, at the age of 24; died Oct. 3, 1881, at Salt Lake
City, Utah.
John F. Boynton
Born Sept. 20, 1811, at Bradford, Massachusetts; ordained an apostle
Feb. 15, 1835, at Kirtland under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David
Whitmer and Martin Harris, at the age of 24; excommunicated; died Oct.
20, 1890, at Syracuse, New York.
Lyman E. Johnson
Born Oct. 24, 1811, at Pomfret, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb. 14,
1835, at Kirtland, under the hands of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and
Martin Harris, at the age of 24; excommunicated April 13, 1838; died
Dec. 20, 1856, at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
John E. Page
Born Feb. 25, 1799, at Trenton, New York; ordained an apostle Dec.
19. 1838, at Far West, under the hands of Brigham Young and Heber C.
Kimball, at the age of 39; excommunicated June 27, 1846; died in the
fall of 1867, at De Kalb County, Illinois.
John Taylor
Born Nov. 1, 1808, at Milnthorpe, England; ordained an apostle Dec.
19, 1838, at Far West, under the hands of Brigham Young and Heber
C. Kimball, at the age of 30; President of the council of apostles;
sustained as President of the Church Oct. 10, 1880; died July 25, 1887,
at Kaysville, Utah.
Wilford Woodruff
Born March 1, 1807, at Avon, Connecticut; ordained an apostle April 26,
1839, at Far West, by Brigham Young, at the age of 32; President of
the council of apostles; sustained as President of the Church April 7,
1889; died Sept. 2, 1898, at San Francisco, California.
George A. Smith
Born June 26, 1817, at Potsdam, New York; ordained an apostle April 26,
1839, at Far West, by Heber C. Kimball, at the age of 22; advanced to
be first counselor in the First Presidency, Oct. 6, 1868; died Sept. 1,
1875, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Willard Richards
Born June 24, 1804, at Hopkinton, Massachusetts; ordained an apostle
April 14, 1840, at Preston, Lancashire, England, by Brigham Young, at
the age of 36; advanced to be second counselor in the First Presidency,
Dec. 27, 1847; died March 11, 1854, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lyman Wight
Born May 9, 1796, at Fairfield, New York; ordained an apostle April 8,
1841, by Joseph Smith, at Nauvoo, at the age of 44; excommunicated Feb.
12, 1849; died March 31, 1858, in Mountain Valley, Texas.
Amasa M. Lyman
Born March 30, 1813, at Lyman, New Hampshire; ordained an apostle Aug.
20, 1842, at Nauvoo, by Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and George
A. Smith, at the age of 29; deprived of apostleship Oct. 8, 1867;
excommunicated May 12, 1870; died Feb. 4, 1877, at Fillmore, Millard
County, Utah.
Ezra T. Benson
Born Feb. 22, 1811, at Mendon, Massachusetts; ordained an apostle July
16, 1846, at Council Bluffs, by Brigham Young, at the age of 35; died
Sept. 3, 1869, at Ogden, Utah.
Charles C. Rich
Born Aug. 21, 1809, at Campbell County, Kentucky; ordained an apostle
Feb. 12, 1849, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Brigham Young, at the age of
40; died Nov. 17, 1883, at Paris, Idaho.
Lorenzo Snow
Born April 3, 1814, at Mantua, Ohio; ordained an apostle Feb. 12,
1849, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Heber C. Kimball, at the age of 36;
President of the council of the apostles; sustained as President of the
Church Sept. 13, 1898; died Oct. 10, 1901, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Erastus Snow
Born Nov. 9, 1818, at St. Johnsbury. Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb.
12, 1849, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Brigham Young, at the age of 31;
died May 27, 1888, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Franklin D. Richards
Born April 2, 1821, at Richmond, Massachusetts; ordained an apostle
Feb. 12, 1849, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Heber C. Kimball, at the
age of 28; President of the council of apostles; died Dec. 9, 1899, at
Ogden, Utah.
George Q. Cannon
Born Jan. 11, 1827, at Liverpool, England; ordained an apostle Aug.
26, 1860, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Brigham Young, at the age of 33;
advanced to be first counselor in the First Presidency, Oct. 10, 1880;
died April 12, 1901, at Monterey, California.
Joseph F. Smith
Born Nov. 13, 1838, at Far West, Missouri; ordained an apostle July
1, 1866, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Brigham Young; set apart as one
of the twelve apostles Oct. 8, 1867, at the age of 29; sustained as
President of the Church Oct. 17, 1901; died Nov. 19. 1918, at Salt Lake
City, Utah.
Brigham Young, Jr
Born Dec. 18, 1836, at Kirtland, Ohio; ordained an apostle Feb. 4,
1864, by Brigham Young and set apart as one of the twelve apostles Oct.
9, 1868, at the age of 32; President of the council of apostles; died
April 11, 1903, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Albert Carrington
Born Jan. 8, 1813, at Royalton, Vermont; ordained an apostle July 3,
1870, by Brigham Young at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 57;
excommunicated Nov. 7, 1885; died Sept. 19, 1889, at Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Moses Thatcher
Born Feb. 2, 1842, at Sangamon County, Illinois; ordained an apostle
April 9, 1879, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by John Taylor, at the age of
37; dropped from the council of the apostles April 6, 1896; died Aug.
21, 1909.
Francis M. Lyman
Born Jan. 12, 1840, at McComb, Illinois; ordained an apostle Oct.
27, 1880, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by John Taylor, at the age of 40;
President of the council of apostles; died Nov. 18, 1916, at Salt Lake
City, Utah.
John Henry Smith
Born Sept. 18, 1848, at Carbunca, Iowa; ordained an apostle Oct. 27,
1880, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Wilford Woodruff, at the age of 32;
advanced to be second counselor in the First Presidency, April 7, 1910;
died Oct. 13, 1911, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
George Teasdale
Born Dec. 8. 1831, at London, England; ordained an apostle Oct. 16,
1882, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by John Taylor, at the age of 51; died
June 9, 1907, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Heber J. Grant
Born Nov. 22, 1856, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
16, 1882, by George Q. Cannon, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of
26; President of the council of apostles; sustained as President of the
Church Nov. 23, 1918.
John W. Taylor
Born May 15, 1858, at Provo, Utah; ordained an apostle April 9, 1884,
by John Taylor, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 26; resigned
Oct. 6, 1905; excommunicated March 28, 1911; died Oct. 10, 1916, at
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Marriner W. Merrill
Born Sept. 25, 1832, at Sackville, New Brunswick; ordained an apostle
Oct. 7, 1889, at Salt Lake City, Utah, by Wilford Woodruff, at the age
of 57; died Feb. 6, 1906, at Richmond, Cache County, Utah.
Anthon H. Lund
Born May 15, 1844, at Aalborg, Denmark; ordained an apostle Oct. 7,
1889 by George Q. Cannon at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 45;
President of the council of apostles; advanced to second counselor in
the First Presidency, Oct. 17, 1901; to first counselor in Presidency,
April 7, 1910; died March 2, 1921.
Abraham H. Cannon
Born March 12, 1859, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
7, 1889, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 30;
died July 19, 1896, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Matthias F. Cowley
Born Aug. 25, 1858, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
7, 1897, by George Q. Cannon at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 39;
resigned Oct. 28, 1905.
Abraham O. Woodruff
Born Nov. 23, 1872, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
7, 1897, by Wilford Woodruff, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of
25; died June 20, 1904, at El Paso, Texas.
Rudger Clawson
Born March 12, 1857, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
10, 1898, by Lorenzo Snow, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 41;
President of the council of apostles.
Reed Smoot
Born Jan. 10, 1862, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle April
8, 1900, by Lorenzo Snow, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 38.
Hyrum Mack Smith
Born March 21, 1872, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
24, 1901, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of
29; died Jan. 23, 1918, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
George Albert Smith
Born April 4, 1870, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle Oct.
8, 1903, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 33.
Charles W. Penrose
Born Feb. 4, 1832, at London, England; ordained an apostle July 7,
1904, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 72;
advanced to be second counselor in the First Presidency, Dec. 7, 1911;
advanced to be first counselor in the First Presidency, March 10, 1921.
George F. Richards
Born Feb. 23, 1861, at Farmington, Utah; ordained an apostle April 9,
1906, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 45.
Orson F. Whitney
Born July 1, 1855, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle April
9, 1906, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 50.
David O. McKay
Born Sept. 8, 1873, at Huntsville, Utah; ordained an apostle April 9,
1906, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 32.
Anthony W. Ivins
Born Sept. 16, 1852, at Toms River, New Jersey; ordained an apostle
Oct. 6, 1907, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age
of 55; advanced to be second counselor in the First Presidency, March
10, 1921.
Joseph Fielding Smith
Born July 19, 1876, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained an apostle April
7, 1910, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 33.
James E. Talmage
Born Sept. 21, 1862, at Hungerford, Berkshire, England; ordained an
apostle Dec. 8, 1911, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at
the age of 49.
Stephen L. Richards
Born June 18, 1879, at Mendon, Cache County, Utah; ordained an apostle
Jan. 17, 1917, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age
of 37.
Richard R. Lyman
Born Nov. 23, 1870, at Fillmore, Utah; ordained an apostle April 7,
1918, by Joseph F. Smith, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 47.
Melvin J. Ballard
Born Feb. 9, 1873, at Logan, Utah; ordained an apostle Jan. 7, 1919, by
Heber J. Grant, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 45.
John A. Widtsoe
Born Jan. 31, 1872, on the Island of Troyen, Norway; ordained an
apostle March 17, 1921, by Heber J. Grant, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at
the age of 49.
Presiding Patriarchs
Joseph Smith, Sen.
Born July 12, 1771, at Topsfield, Essex County, Mass.; ordained
presiding patriarch of the Church, Dec. 18, 1833, under the hands of
Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams;
died Sept. 14, 1840, at Nauvoo, Illinois.
Hyrum Smith
Born Feb. 9, 1800, at Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont; ordained
presiding patriarch of the Church Jan. 24, 1841, by Joseph Smith;
murdered June 27, 1844, at Carthage Jail, Illinois.
John Smith
Born July 16, 1781, at Derryfield, Rockingham County, New Hampshire;
ordained a patriarch Jan. 10, 1844, at Nauvoo, by Joseph Smith; set
apart as presiding patriarch of the Church, Jan. 1, 1849, at Salt Lake
City, Utah; died May 23, 1854, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
John Smith
Born Sept. 22, 1832, at Kirtland, Ohio; ordained presiding patriarch
of the Church Feb. 18, 1855, by Brigham Young at Salt Lake City, Utah;
died Nov. 6, 1911, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hyrum G. Smith
Born July 8, 1879, at South Jordan, Salt Lake County, Utah; ordained a
seventy Feb. 11, 1907, by George G. Bywater; ordained a high priest and
presiding patriarch of the Church May 9, 1912, by Joseph F. Smith at
Salt Lake City, Utah.
First Seven Presidents of Seventies
Hazen Aldrich
Chosen and ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb.
28, 1835, at Kirtland; released April 6, 1837, previously having been
ordained a high priest.
Joseph Young
Born April 7, 1797, at Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Mass.; chosen and
ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb. 28, 1835,
at Kirtland, at the age of 37; died July 16, 1881, at Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Levi W. Hancock
Born April 7, 1803, at Old Springfield, Hampden County, Mass.; chosen
and ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb. 28,
1835, at Kirtland, at the age of 31; died June 10, 1882, at Washington,
Washington County, Utah.
Zebedee Coltrin
Born Sept. 7, 1804, at Ovid, Seneca County, New York; chosen and
ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb. 28, 1835,
at Kirtland, at the age of 30; released April 6, 1837, previously
having been ordained a high priest; died July 21, 1887, at Spanish
Fork, Utah.
Leonard Rich
Chosen and ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb.
28, 1835, at Kirtland; released April 6, 1837, previously having been
ordained a high priest.
Lyman Sherman
Chosen and ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb.
28, 1835, at Kirtland; released April 6, 1837, previously having been
ordained a high priest.
Sylvester Smith
Chosen and ordained one of the first seven presidents of seventies Feb.
28, 1835, at Kirtland; released April 6, 1837, previously having been
ordained a high priest.
John Gould
Ordained a seventy and set apart as one of the first seven presidents
April 6, 1837, at Kirtland; released Sept. 3, 1837, previously having
been ordained a high priest.
James Foster
Born April 1, 1775; ordained a seventy and set apart as one of the
first seven presidents April 6, 1837, at Kirtland; died Dec. 21, 1841,
at Morgan County, Utah.
Daniel S. Miles
Ordained a seventy and set apart as one of the first seven presidents
April 6, 1837, at Kirtland; died in 1845, in Hancock County, Illinois.
Josiah Butterfield
Born in the State of Maine; ordained a seventy and set apart as one of
the first seven presidents April 6, 1837, at Kirtland; excommunicated
Oct. 7, 1844; died at Monterey County, California.
Salmon Gee
Born Oct. 16, 1792, at Lyme, New London County, Conn.; ordained a
seventy and set apart as one of the first seven presidents April
6, 1837, at Kirtland, at the age of 43; seventies withdrew their
fellowship from Brother Gee, March 6, 1838; died Sept. 13, 1845, at
Ambrosia, Lee County, Iowa.
John Gaylord
Born July 12, 1797; ordained a seventy Dec. 20, 1836; set apart as one
of the first seven presidents April 6, 1837, at Kirtland, at the age of
39; excommunicated Jan. 13, 1838; rejoined the Church at Nauvoo.
Henry Harriman
Born June 9, 1804, at Rowley (now Georgetown), Essex County, Mass.;
ordained a seventy in 1835; set apart as one of the first seven
presidents Feb. 6, 1838, at Kirtland, at the age of 33; died May 17,
1891, at Huntington, Emery County, Utah.
Zera Pulsipher
Born June 24, 1789, at Rockingham, Windham County, Vermont; ordained
a seventy and set apart as one of the first seven presidents March 6,
1838, at Kirtland, at the age of 48; released April 12, 1862; died Jan.
1, 1872, at Hebron, Washington County, Utah.
Albert P. Rockwood
Born June 5, 1805, at Holliston, Middlesex County, Mass.; ordained a
seventy Jan. 5, 1839, at Kirtland; set apart as one of the first seven
presidents Dec. 2, 1845, at Nauvoo, at the age of 40; died Nov. 26,
1879, at Sugar House, Salt Lake Co., Utah.
Benjamin L. Clapp
Born Aug. 19, 1814, in Alabama; ordained and set apart president of
the 8th quorum of seventy Oct. 20, 1844; set apart as one of the first
seven presidents Dec. 2, 1845, at Nauvoo, at the age of 31; died in
1860, in California.
Horace S. Eldredge
Born Feb. 6, 1816, at Brutus, Cayuga County, New York; ordained a
seventy and set apart as one of the first seven presidents in 1854, at
Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 38; died Sept. 6, 1888, at Salt
Lake City, Utah.
Jacob Gates
Born March 9, 1811, in St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont;
ordained a seventy and set apart as one of the first seven presidents
in Oct. 1862, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 51; died April 14,
1892, at Provo, Utah.
John Van Cott
Born Sept. 7, 1814, at Canaan, Columbia County, New York; ordained a
seventy, Feb. 25, 1847; set apart as one of the first seven presidents
in Oct. 1862, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 48; died Feb. 18,
1883, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
William W. Taylor
Born Sept. 11, 1853, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained a seventy and
set apart as one of the first seven presidents April 6, 1880, at Salt
Lake City, Utah, at the age of 26; died Aug. 1, 1884, at Salt Lake
City, Utah.
Abraham H. Cannon
Born March 12, 1859, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained a seventy and
set apart as one of the first seven presidents Oct. 9, 1882, at Salt
Lake City, Utah, at the age of 23; called to the apostleship Oct. 7,
1889; died July 19, 1896, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Seymour B. Young
Born Oct. 3, 1837, at Kirtland, Ohio; ordained a seventy Feb. 18, 1857;
set apart as one of the first seven presidents Oct. 14, 1882, at Salt
Lake City, Utah, at the age of 45.
C. D. Fjeldsted
Born Feb. 20, 1829, at Sundbyvester, Copenhagen, Denmark; ordained a
seventy Feb. 5, 1859; set apart as one of the first seven presidents
April 28, 1884, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 55; died Dec.
23, 1905, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
John Morgan
Born Aug. 8, 1842, at Greensburg, Decatur County, Indiana; ordained a
seventy Oct. 8, 1875; set apart as one of the first seven presidents
Oct. 1884, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 42; died Aug. 14,
1894, at Preston, Idaho.
Brigham H. Roberts
Born March 13, 1857, at Warrington, Lancashire, England; ordained a
seventy March 8, 1877; set apart as one of the first seven presidents
Oct. 8, 1888, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 31.
George Reynolds
Born Jan. 1, 1842, at Marylebone, London, England; ordained a seventy
March 18, 1866; set apart as one of the first seven presidents April
10, 1890, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 54; died Aug. 9, 1909,
at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jonathan Golden Kimball
Born June 9, 1853, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained a seventy July 21,
1886; set apart as one of the first seven presidents April 6, 1892, at
Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 38.
Rulon S. Wells
Born July 7, 1854, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained a seventy Oct. 22,
1875; set apart as one of the first seven presidents April 5, 1893, at
Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 38.
Edward Stevenson
Born May 1, 1820, at Gibraltar, Spain; ordained a seventy May 1, 1845;
set apart as one of the first seven presidents Oct. 9, 1894, at Salt
Lake City, Utah, at the age of 74; died Jan. 27, 1897, at Salt Lake
City, Utah.
Joseph W. McMurrin
Born Sept. 5, 1858, at Tooele, Tooele County, Utah; ordained a seventy
April 21, 1884; sustained in Oct. 1897 and set apart as one of the
first seven presidents Jan. 21, 1898, at Liverpool, England, at the age
of 39.
Charles H. Hart
Born July 5, 1866, at Bloomington, Bear Lake County, Idaho; ordained a
seventy Aug. 10, 1890; set apart as one of the first seven presidents
April 8, 1906, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 39.
Levi Edgar Young
Born Feb. 2, 1874, at Salt Lake City, Utah; ordained a seventy June 18,
1897; sustained as one of the first seven presidents Oct. 6, 1909; set
apart Jan. 23, 1910, at New York, at the age of 36.
Presiding Bishops
Edward Partridge
Born Aug. 27, 1793, at Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Mass.; called by
revelation to be the first bishop of the Church, ordained and set apart
Feb. 4, 1831, at the age of 38; died May 27, 1840, at Nauvoo, Illinois.
Newel K. Whitney
Born Feb. 5, 1795, at Marlborough, Windham County, Vermont; called by
revelation to be the first bishop of Kirtland; sustained as presiding
bishop of the Church at the conference of April, 1847; died Sept. 23,
1850, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Edward Hunter
Born June 22, 1793, at Newton, Delaware County, Penn.; called and
sustained as the presiding bishop of the Church April 7, 1851; ordained
and set apart April 11, 1852, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of
58; died Oct. 16, 1883, at Salt Lake City, Utah.
William B. Preston
Born Nov. 24, 1830, at Halifax, Franklin County, Virginia; ordained a
bishop Nov. 14, 1859; set apart as presiding bishop of the Church April
6, 1884, at Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 53; died Aug. 2, 1908,
at Salt Lake City, Utah.
Charles W. Nibley
Born Feb. 5, 1849, at Hunterfield, Midlothian, Scotland; ordained and
set apart as presiding bishop of the Church Dec. 11, 1907, at Salt Lake
City, Utah, at the age of 58.
Appendix: Stakes of Zion
(In chronological order.) * = discontinued.
Name: Organized, President
*Kirtland: Feb. 17, 1834, Joseph Smith, Jr.
*Clay-Caldwell: July 3, 1834, David Whitmer
*Adam-ondi-Ahman: June 28, 1838, John Smith
*Nauvoo: Oct. 5, 1839, William Marks
*Zarahemla: Oct. 5, 1839, John Smith
*Lima: Oct. 21, 1840, Isaac Morley
*Quincy: Oct. 25, 1840, Daniel Stanton
*Mount Hope: Oct. 27, 1840, Abel Lamb
*Freedom: Oct. 27, 1840, Henry W. Miller
*Geneva: Nov. 1, 1840, William Bosely
*Springfield: Nov. 5, 1840, Edwin P. Merriam
Salt Lake: Oct. 3, 1847, John Smith
Weber: Jan. 26, 1851, Lorin Farr
Utah: Mar. 19, 1851, Abraham O. Smoot
Parowan: May, 1852, John C. L. Smith
*St. Louis: Nov. 4, 1854, Milo Andrus
*Carson Valley: Oct. 4, 1856, Orson Hyde
Cache: Nov. 14, 1859, Peter Maughan
Juab: Sept. 20, 1868, Jacob Bigler
Millard: Mar. 19, 1869, Thomas Callister
Beaver: Mar. 12, 1869, John Murdock
Bear Lake: June 20, 1869, William Budge
Sevier: May 24, 1874, Joseph A. Young
St. George: April 7, 1877, J. D. T. McAllister
Kanab: April 18, 1877, L. John Nuttal
Panguitch: April 23, 1877, James Henrie
*Davis: June 17, 1877, William R. Smith
Tooele: June 24, 1877, Francis M. Lyman
Morgan: July 1, 1877, Willard G. Smith
*Sanpete: July 4, 1877, Canute Peterson
Summit: July 9, 1877, William W. Cluff
Wasatch: July 15, 1877, Abram Hatch
Box Elder: Aug. 19, 1877, Oliver G. Snow
*Little Colorado: Jan. 27, 1878, Lot Smith
*Eastern Arizona: June 29, 1879, Jesse N. Smith
Emery: Aug. 13, 1882, Christen D. Larsen
St. Joseph: Feb. 25, 1883, Christopher Layton
San Juan: Sept. 23, 1883, Platte D. Lyman
San Luis: Oct. 10, 1883, Silas S. Smith
Maricopa: Dec. 10, 1883, Alex F. McDonald
Bannock: Feb. 4, 1884, Lewis S. Pond
Oneida: June 1, 1884, William D. Hendricks
Uintah: May 9, 1887, Samuel R. Bennion
St. Johns: July 23, 1887, David K. Udall
Cassia: Nov. 19, 1887, Horton D. Haight
Snowflake: Dec. 18, 1887, Jesse N. Smith
Malad: Feb. 12, 1888, Oliver C. Hoskins
Star Valley: Aug. 14, 1892, George Osmond
Wayne: May 27, 1893, Willis E. Robison
Alberta: June 9, 1895, Charles O. Card
Bingham: June 9, 1895, James E. Steele
Juarez: Dec. 9, 1895, Anthony W. Ivins
Woodruff: June 5, 1898, John M. Baxter
Fremont: Aug. 6, 1898, Thomas E. Ricks
Pocatello: Aug. 7, 1898, Wm. C. Parkinson
Jordan: Jan. 21, 1900, Orrin P. Miller
Granite: Jan. 27, 1900, Frank Y. Taylor
North Sanpete: Dec. 9, 1900, Christian N. Lund
South Sanpete: Dec. 9, 1900, Canute Peterson
Alpine: Jan. 13, 1901, Stephen L. Chipman
Nebo: Jan. 20, 1901, Jonathan S. Page
Hyrum: April 30, 1901, William C. Parkinson
Benson: May 1, 1901, William H. Lewis
Big Horn: May 26, 1901, Byron Sessions
Union: June 9, 1901, Franklin S. Bramwell
Teton: Sept. 2, 1901, Don Carlos Driggs
Taylor: Aug. 30, 1903, Heber S. Allen
Blackfoot: Jan. 31, 1904, Elias S. Kimball
Liberty: Feb. 26, 1904, Hugh J. Cannon
Pioneer: Mar. 24, 1904, William McLachlin
Ensign: April 1, 1904, Richard W. Young
Rigby: Feb. 2, 1908, Don C. Walker
Ogden: July 26, 1908, Thomas B. Evans
North Weber: Aug. 2, 1908, James Wotherspoon
Bear River: Oct. 11, 1908, Milton H. Welling
Yellowstone: Jan. 10, 1909, Daniel G. Miller
Carbon: May 8, 1910, Gustave A. Iverson
Deseret: Aug. 11, 1912, Alonzo A. Hinckley
Moapa: Sept. 8, 1912, Willard L. Jones
Duchesne: Dec. 2, 1912, William H. Smart
Young: May 21, 1913, David Halls
Boise: Nov. 2, 1913, Heber Q. Hale
Shelley: Aug. 16, 1914, Joseph H. Dye
Cottonwood: Nov. 29, 1914, Uriah G. Miller
Raft River: April 27, 1915, John A. Elison
Curlew: May 17, 1915, Jonathan C. Cutler
North Davis: June 20, 1915, Henry H. Blood
South Davis: June 20, 1915, James H. Robinson
Portneuf: Aug. 14, 1915, George T. Hyde
Idaho: Nov. 19, 1916, Nelson J. Hogan
Montpelier: Dec. 23, 1917, Edward C. Rich
Tintic: April 22, 1917, E. Franklin Birch
Twin Falls: July 26, 1919, Lawrence G. Kirkman
Burley: July 27, 1919, David R. Langlois
Blaine: Aug. 3, 1919, Wm. Lennox Adams
Lost River: Aug. 18, 1919, William N. Patten
Franklin: June 6, 1920, Samuel W. Parkinson
Logan: June 6, 1920, Oliver H. Budge
Roosevelt: June 26, 1920, William H. Smart
Garfield: Aug. 29, 1920, Charles E. Rowan, Jr.
Lethbridge: Nov. 10, 1921, Hugh B. Brown
Appendix: Church Publications
(Chronologically arranged with date and place of issue.)
Book of Mormon, 1830, Palmyra, New York.
Danish, 1851, Copenhagen, Denmark.
German, 1852, Bern, Switzerland.
French, 1852, Paris, France.
Italian, 1852, London, England.
Welsh, 1852, Myrthyr Tydfil, Wales.
Hawaiian, 1855, San Francisco, California.
Deseret Alphabet, 1869, New York City, New York.
Swedish, 1878, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Spanish, 1886, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Maori, 1889, Auckland, New Zealand.
Dutch, 1890, Amsterdam, Holland.
Samoan, 1903, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tahitian, 1904, Papeete, Society Islands.
Turkish, 1906, New York City, New York.
Japanese, 1909, Tokyo, Japan.
The Evening and Morning Star, 1832, Independence, Missouri.
Book of Commandments, 1833, Independence, Missouri.
L. D. S. Messenger and Advocate, 1834, Kirtland, Ohio.
Doctrine and Covenants, 1835, Kirtland, Ohio.
Danish, 1851, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Welsh, 1851, Myrthyr Tydfil, Wales.
German, 1876, Bern, Switzerland.
Swedish, 1888, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dutch, 1908, Rotterdam, Holland.
Hymn Book, 1835, Kirtland, Ohio.
The Elder's Journal, 1838, Kirtland Ohio.
Times and Seasons, 1839, Commerce, (Nauvoo) Illinois.
The Millennial Star, 1840, Manchester and Liverpool, Eng.
The Gospel Reflecter, 1841, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Wasp, 1842, Nauvoo, Illinois.
The Nauvoo Neighbor, 1843, Nauvoo, Illinois.
The Prophet, 1844, New York City, New York.
The New York Messenger, 1845, New York City, New York.
The California Star, 1846, Yerba Buena, (San Francisco) Cal.
Prophwyd y Jubili, neu, Seren y Saint (Welsh), 1846, Myrthyr Tydfil, Wales.
Udgorn Seion, neu, Seren y Saint (Welsh), 1849, Myrthyr Tydfil, Wales.
The Frontier Guardian, 1849, Kanesville (Council Bluffs).
The Deseret News, 1850, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Pearl of Great Price, 1851, Liverpool, England.
Welsh, 1852, Wales.
German, 1882, Bern, Switzerland.
Danish, 1883, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dutch, 1911, Rotterdam, Holland.
Skandinaviens Stjerne (Danish), 1851, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Zions Panier (German), 1851 Hamburg, Germany.
L'…toile du DÈsÈret (French), 1851, Paris, France.
Zion's Watchman, 1853, Sydney, New South Wales.
Le RÈflecteur (French), 1853, Geneva, Switzerland.
The Seer, 1853, Washington, D. C.
Journal of Discourses, 1853, Liverpool, England.
L. D. S. Millennial Star and Monthly Visitor, 1854, Madras, India.
St. Louis Luminary, 1854, St. Louis, Missouri.
The Mormon, 1855, New York City, New York.
The Western Standard, 1856, San Francisco, California.
Der Darsteller (German), 1856, Geneva, Switzerland.
Die Reform (German), 1862, Geneva, Switzerland.
Juvenile Instructor, 1866, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Der Stern (German), 1869, Zurich, Switzerland.
The Woman's Exponent, 1872, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah Posten (Danish and Norwegian), 1873, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bikuben (Danish and Norwegian), 1876, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Nordstjernan, 1877, Gˆteborg, Sweden.
The Contributor, 1879, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ungdommens Raadgiver (Danish and Norwegian), 1880, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Morgenstjernen (Danish and Norwegian), 1882, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Church and Farm, 1885, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Svenska Harolden, 1885, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Historical Record, 1886, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Young Woman's Journal, 1889, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Truth's Reflex, 1889, St. John, Kansas.
Der Beobachter (German), 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah.
De Ster (Dutch), 1896, Rotterdam, Holland.
Improvement Era, 1897, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Southern Star, 1898, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Utah Posten (Swedish), 1900, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Children's Friend, 1902, Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Elders' Journal, 1903, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Messenger, 1907, Auckland, New Zealand.
Liahona, 1907, Independence, Missouri.
Ka Elele Oiaio, 1909, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Appendix: List of Authorities and Books of Reference
Journal History (Manuscript), 1830-1921.
Far West Record (Manuscript).
Evening and Morning Star, 1832-1834.
Messenger and Advocate, 1834-1836.
Times and Seasons, 1839-1846.
Millennial Star, 1840-1921.
Documentary History of the Church, vols. 1-6.
Missouri Persecutions, Parley P. Pratt.
Era of the Protestant Revolution, Frederick Seebohm.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, John Lathrop Motley.
The British Nation, George M. Wrong.
Topsfield Historical Collections, vols. 1-8.
The Mack Genealogy, Sophia Smith Martin.
Five Colonial Families, vols. 1-2.
History of the Prophet Joseph, Lucy Mack Smith.
Orson Pratt's Works, Orson Pratt.
History of the Church, Juvenile Instructor, vols. 7-19.
The Contributor, vol. 17.
Improvement Era, vols. 1-24.
Deseret News, 1850-1921.
M. I. A. Manual, 1918-1919.
Life of Joseph Smith, George Q. Cannon.
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt.
Life of Heber C. Kimball, Orson F. Whitney.
Life of John Taylor, Brigham H. Roberts.
Wilford Woodruff, His Life and Labors, M. F. Cowley.
Biography of Lorenzo Snow, Eliza R. Snow.
History of the Mormon Church (Americana), B. H. Roberts.
History of Utah, Orson F. Whitney.
Whitney's Popular History of Utah, Orson F. Whitney.
History of Utah, H. H. Bancroft.
Women of Mormondom, Edward W. Tullidge.
Historical Record, Andrew Jenson.
Church Chronology, Andrew Jenson.
Missouri Persecutions, Brigham H. Roberts.
Rise and Fall of Nauvoo, Brigham H. Roberts.
A Brief History of the Church, Edward H. Anderson.
The Mormon Battalion, Daniel Tyler.
Conquest of New Mexico and California, Col. P. St. George Cooke.
The Restoration of the Gospel, Osborne J. P. Widtsoe.
One Hundred Years of Mormonism, John Henry Evans.