Charles W. Penrose

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Charles W. Penrose

Charles William Penrose (4 February 1832—16 May 1925) (commonly known as Charles W. Penrose) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from July 7, 1904. Penrose was also a member of the First Presidency of the Church under Church Presidents Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant from 1911 until his death.

Penrose was born in London, England. It is said that he learned to read the scriptures by the age of four. He was introduced to the church and baptized at the age of eighteen on May 14, 1850 in London. He also met and married his wife Lucetta Stratford there. The couple had three children.

After joining the church, Penrose was called to a mission of seven years, preaching throughout England. In 1861, he emigrated to Utah. After arriving, he was called on yet another mission to England. Upon his return, he settled in Ogden, Utah. There he became involved in newspaper publishing, eventually becoming the editor of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City. Penrose was known for his writing, including missionary tracts and for penning lyrics for LDS hymns, including God of Our Fathers, O Ye Mountains High, and Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion.

Some claim that Penrose, with the assistance of a few others, wrote the 1890 Manifesto. However, this claim has been refuted. George Reynolds testified in the Smoot Hearings before the U.S. Senate that he, Charles W. Penrose, and John R. Winder edited the manifesto that President Wilford Woodruff delivered, preparing it for publication.

Penrose was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and ordained an apostle on July 7, 1904 after the passing of Elder Abraham O. Woodruff. After John Henry Smith, the Second Counselor to President Joseph F. Smith, died, he was called and ordained Second Counselor in his stead on December 7, 1911. James E. Talmage filled the vacancy caused by President John Henry Smith's death and Charles W. Penrose's ordination. He also served as Second Counselor for President Heber J. Grant when the First Presidency was reorganized on November 23, 1918 after the passing of President Joseph F. Smith. On March 10, 1921, he was ordained First Counselor in the same presidency to replace President Anthon H. Lund who had died eight days earlier. He served there until his death, four years later, on May 16, 1925.