Lifespan

Born August 4, 1899 in Whitney, Idaho.

Died May 30, 1994 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Saints at the age of eight in 1907. At age 44 he was ordained an Apostle by President Heber J. Grant. His missionary experiences included serving as a proselyting missionary in Great Britain (1921-23) and twice as president of the European Mission. At age 74 he was sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and in 1985 he was sustained as President of the Church, in which position he served until his passing in 1994. He also served as Secretary of Agriculture of the United States 1952-60.

Preparation and Calling

Two periods of service in particular serve as milestones in the preparation of Ezra Taft Benson to become the prophet of God. First was his appointment to tour war-torn Europe following World War II and begin to bring hundreds and thousands of tons of relief goods to the Saints in Germany and elsewhere. The second was his service in President Dwight Eisenhower’s cabinet, the only Apostle in this latter-day to serve in the cabinet of a U.S. president. These experiences served him well, for during his time as prophet, he initiated humanitarian service projects that began the Church’s current policy of providing lifesaving goods and services throughout the world in time of disaster. His political contacts and proven track record of relief opened many, many doors with international leaders.

Interaction with God

President Benson’s relationship with Deity is hallmarked by humility and dedication to the word of God as revealed in holy writ, particularly the Book of Mormon.

Social Situation

During President Benson’s time of God’s prophet, he was able to negotiate the dedication of a temple in the German Democratic Republic and the presence of missionaries in the same in 1985 and 1989, respectively. In November 1989, the boundaries between eastern and western Europe came down. Though President Benson’s accomplishments are many, none are more critical than the spiritual influence he exerted in behalf of the Saints in those countries, including down to this day.

Key Teachings

The Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion, and we must remain true to the witness that it bears of Jesus Christ.

Lifespan

Born March 28, 1895 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Died November 5, 1985 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Spencer W. Kimball was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of eight. He served a mission in the central United States from 1914-16. At age 48, he was ordained an Apostle by President Heber J. Grant. His missionary leadership involved supervising the work with the American Indians and in South America. In 1972, at age 72, he was sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and eighteen months later was sustained as President of the Church, where he served until his death at the age of 90 in 1985.

Preparation and Calling

Spencer W. Kimball had endured many personal challenges, including the removal of most of his vocal chords. His ministry was always given to assignments requiring both action and understanding, so it is not surprising that these two qualities were among his strengths.

Interaction with God

Little is known regarding Spencer W. Kimball’s personal relationship with Deity, but we do know that he plead fervently with the Lord regarding a number of soulfelt issues, ranging from his own feelings of inadequacy to the civil rights movement in the United States and the social conditions of the Native American Indians. Significant actions grew out of the answers he received, though he claimed no open visions or visitations from heavenly beings.

Social Situation

Civil rights were a big issue in the United States when Spencer W. Kimball became God’s prophet. He already had significant experience dealing with Native American Indians and helping to improve their social experience, and had great empathy for African Americans who were rising from years and years of repression. In addition, Church membership was growing at an unprecedented pace, increasing the challenges of administering the Church uniformly and effeciently throughout the world.

Key Teachings

President Spencer W. Kimball was known for two hallmark statements: “Lengthen your stride,” and “Do it!” He challenged members of the Church to hasten their pace in doing the work of the Lord and improving their own lives, and he brought about the types of adminstrative changes that enabled all in the Church to move forward. Three of the most important were: (1) extending the priesthood to all worthy male members of age, which meant that every family with a worthy father could have the priesthood in their home, (2) the reconstitution of the Quorums of the Seventy, which established the organizational structure for administering a growing worldwide Church, and (3) the publication of a new edition of the scriptures with additional study aids, which provided the tools needed for every person to have an increased knowledge of the word of God.

Lifespan

Born March 28, 1899 in Clifton, Idaho.

Died December 26, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Harold B. Lee was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 8 years old. He served a mission in the western United States from 1920-22, and at age 36 (1935) was called to organize the Church‘s welfare program. At age 42, he was called to become one of the Twelve Apostles. At age 62, he became the chairman of Church Correlation, a new program organized by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. At age 70 he was sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve, served as a counselor to Joseph Fielding Smith, and was sustained as President of the Church at age 73. He served only 18 months before passing away on December 26, 1973.

Preparation and Calling

Harold B. Lee was called to be a stake president at age 31 in the Pioneer Stake in Salt Lake City. It was located in one of the areas of the city hardest hit by the Great Depression, and his success wth that situation drew the attention of Church and government leaders alike. His organizational abilities led him to have significant responsibilities in establishing the Church’s welfare plan, which has been admired by governments and other organizations the world over, and the Church correlation effort, which coordinates all Church programs and materials.

Interaction with God

When Harold was a small boy, he heard a warning voice as he prepared to explore some broken-down buildings. That voice was as clear as if someone had been standing next to him, although he could see no one there. Later he wrote, “From that time on, I accepted without question the fact that there were processes not known to man by which we can hear voices from the unseen world, by which we can have brought to us the visions of eternity” (“The Way to Eternal Life,” Ensign, Nov. 1971, p. 17). Deep impressions and the quiet whisperings of the Spirit became familiar friends to Harold B. Lee throughout his life and ministry.

Social Situation

With the growth of the Church and the social issues of identity and direction that came with the 1970s, President Lee was instrumental in establishing the structures necessary to deal with issues on an international level. Church correlation established a unified approach for a growing worldwide organization, and efforts such as welfare, health services, social services, agricultural missions, and the establishment of an organization for single adults in the Church demonstrated a deep concern for the individual.

Key Teachings

In addition to his organizational skills, Harold B. Lee was known for his devotion to responding immediately to impressions of the Spirit and for seeking to strengthen testimony constantly through daily devotion to scripture study and personal prayer.

Lifespan

Born September 8, 1873 in Huntsville, Utah.

Died January 18, 1970 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

David O. McKay served a mission in Scotland 1897-99. Six years after his return, he was ordained an Apostle at age 32. At ages 47-48, he made a tour of Church missions worldwide; during this tour, he dedicated China for the preaching of the gospel. From ages 49-51, Elder McKay served as president of the European mission. From 1934 through 1951, he served in the First Presidency of the Church, serving first as a counselor to Heber J. Grant and then to George Albert Smith. In 1950 he became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church, and in 1951 was sustained as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served until his death in 1970.

Preparation and Calling

David O. McKay served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 45 years, including 16 years as a counselor in the First Presidency, before being called to become the Lord’s prophet, seer, and revelator. He was the most widely traveled Apostle of his time, having visited members of the Church around the world. Before he passed away, he had visited almost all countries of the world that a Westerner could visit.

Interaction with God

Little is known about President McKay’s relationship with Deity, but his public teachings reveal a man who was dedicated to following the Master Teacher and implementing the Savior’s example in his everyday living, particularly in the home.

Social Situation

War had torn down some of the social and political walls that had held back the missionary effort for many years. However, with Mormon soldiers opening doors in the countries where they served, particularly as they helped to build back up the countries that the United States had defeated, such as Japan, Korea, and Germany, the Church began to make serious inroads into many parts of the world. For the first time since the Restoration, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was truly becoming an international church. During President McKay’s nearly 20 years as prophet, the Church grew almost threefold.

Key Teachings

Although President McKay taught powerfully about many things, no teaching was more important than this: “The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home” (Family Home Evening Manual [1968]).

Lifespan

Born November 22, 1856 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Died May 14, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

At age 23, Heber J. Grant was called to be a stake president. Two years later, he was ordained an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From 1883-84, he served a mission to the American Indians, and from 1901-06, Heber was the president of the first mission in Japan, then president of the British and European Mission. At age 60, he became the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and at age 62 was sustained as President of the Church, where he served for the next 26 years.

Preparation and Calling

Heber’s father, Morgan (who was a counselor to President Brigham Young), died nine days after Heber’s birth. Heber was raised by his widowed mother, Rachel. He learned from this upbringing to work hard, become self-sufficient during hard times, and to have great empathy for those who had to struggle through life.

Interaction with God

President Grant frequently sought the direction of the Lord while going about doing good himself. His was a practical religion, filled with generosity and dedicated service, but little is known of his actual interactions with Deity.

Social Situation

President Grant oversaw the Church during the Great Depression. He established a welfare system within the Church that became a model for assistance that has been admired by governments and other organizations around the world. Instead of simply handing out welfare assistance, he created a system “under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongs our people” (in Conference Report, 1936, p. 3).

Key Teachings

President Grant was well known for his strength of personal commitment, self-mastery, and willpower. He saw the Church through the challenges of war, the Great Depression, and rapid membership growth.

Lifespan

Born November 13, 1838 in Far West, Missouri.

Died November 19, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

Joseph F. Smith served his first mission from ages 15-19 in the Hawaiian Islands. At age 21, he left for over three years on a mission in England. In May of 1866 (age 27), he married Julina Lambson, and was ordained an apostle and counselor to President Brigham Young less than two months later. He would go on to serve as counselor to Presidents John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Lorenzo Snow. He also served as president of the European Mission twice during his 30s. In 1901 at age 62 he was sustained as President of the Church. He passed away in Salt Lake City at age 80.

Preparation and Calling

Joseph F. Smith is the son of Hyrum Smith, brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. His father was martyred with Joseph Smith when Joseph F. was but five years old. Four years later he drove an ox cart from Iowa to the Salt Lake Valley, about 1,000 miles. At age 13, he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; four months later his mother died. He served multiple missions for the Church, and was a counselor to four Church Presidents before being sustained as President himself at age 62.

Interaction with God

Joseph F. Smith was known for his attentiveness to the influence of the Holy Spirit and often bore witness of his testimony received through the witness of the Holy Ghost. Six weeks before he passed away, he received a vision and revelation from God regarding the redemption of the dead.

Social Situation

Under President Smith’s direction, the Church was able to pay off its debts and begin to expand through building temples, chapels, and historic visitors’ centers and similar sites. President Smith also directed members of the Church to no longer move to Utah to build up Zion, but rather to stay in their own countries and build up the Church there. The Church was beginning to emerge from poverty and persecution and enter a period of growth and improved acceptance in some areas.

Key Teachings

Joseph F. Smith was well spoken, warm, and passionate in bearing witness of his Savior Jesus Christ. His many years of service as a General Authority qualified him to understand well the workings of the Church, and his administration was marked by the growth of both the spiritual and physical aspects of the Church. His  explanations of key doctrines stand yet today as a bulwark of scripture-based thought regarding such teachings as the identity and nature of the Godhead, the plan of salvation, the roles of Adam and Eve, and the eternal nature of the family. In 1915 he instituted a program that continues to be a hallmark of the Church: a “home evening” when parents gather their children for instruction, entertainment, and togetherness.

Lifespan

Born June 1, 1801 in Whitingham, Vermont.

Died August 29, 1877 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ministry

As the successor to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young led the great westward movement of the Mormons from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake Valley. Known as something of an American Moses for his role in bringing the Latter-day Saints through the wilderness of western North America, he initiated settlements throughout the American West, including Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and California. His ministry was not only spiritual but also quite practical as he oversaw the growth of the LDS religion as well as the economic development of the Great Basin Region.

Preparation and Calling

Brigham Young joined the Church at age 30 after considerable study and prayer concerning the Book of Mormon. He was not easily persuaded, but once he knew of its truth, he could not be swayed. He served a mission to Canada at age 31, was ordained an Apostle at age 33, was sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at age 38 (then served a mission to Great Britain from ages 38-40), and became the leader of the Church at age 43 after Joseph Smith’s death on 27 June 1844.

Interaction with God

Brigham Young was a practical man who was given perhaps more to impressions and thoughts than visions. He was known to have had dreams, however, that were inspired of God. He was also given the gift of prophecy, and in accord with that gift saw with his spiritual eye the future development of the Church in the Great Salt Lake Valley and elsewhere.

Social Situation

Much of President Young’s time was spent colonizing the Great Basin Area of the Intermountain Western United States. He sent hundreds of faithful members of the Church to create settlements. He also negotiated the political development of the territory into statehood at a time when many national leaders were opposed to the Church.

Key Teachings

President Brigham Young taught that one should always be courageous in doing the work of the Lord. Whether settling a new area, serving a mission in any part of the world, or obeying a mother’s request to take food to a needy neighbor, one should do so filled with the Spirit of God, trusting that His will must be done and He will provide.