George Albert Smith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For others by this name, see George Albert Smith.
| George Albert Smith | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Full name | George Albert Smith |
| Born | 4 April 1870 |
| Place of birth | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Died | 4 April 1951 |
| Place of death | Salt Lake City, Utah |
|
|
|
| Ordained | May 21, 1945 |
| Predecessor | Heber J. Grant |
| Successor | David O. McKay |
George Albert Smith (April 4, 1870 – April 4, 1951) was an influential religious leader and the eighth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Biographer and historian S. George Ellsworth has called him an example of "Christlike living."
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Smith was the son of John Henry Smith, also an apostle in the LDS Church, and Sarah Farr Smith. His Grandfather, for whom he was named, was George Albert Smith, or more commonly, George A. Smith, also an LDS apostle. Smith attended Brigham Young University and the University of Deseret (later the University of Utah).
In 1896, Smith joined the Republican Party and campaigned for William McKinley, who became President. He was also favored by Theodore Roosevelt.
While surveying for a railroad as a young man, Smith's eyesight was permanently impaired by glare from the sun. After 1903, Smith found his frequent travels debilitating, and began to show prominent symptoms of physical weakness. He was eventually diagnosed with lupus erythematosus, a chronic debilitating autoimmune disease.
Smith was known for his patriotism, joining various American patriotic groups and was an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts. In 1934, the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America awarded him the prestigeous Silver Buffalo award. Smith was an avid genealogist and family historian and was named National Vice President of the Sons of the American Revolution in 1922.
Contents |
[edit] Marriage and family
In 1892, Smith married Lucy Emily Woodruff, the daughter of Wilford Woodruff, Jr., and Emily Jane Smith, in the Manti Temple. The couple later had three children.
[edit] Church Service
Smith and his new wife Lucy were called to serve in the LDS Southern States Mission under President J. Golden Kimball from 1892 to 1894. Smith was appointed mission secretary.
Smith was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1903. With the death of President Rudger Clawson, in 1943, Smith was sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and served in the position for two years.
Smith became president of the Church on May 21, 1945 with the death of Heber J. Grant. When World War II ended, Smith helped send supplies to war-stricken Europe and was also known for his efforts to revitalize missionary work. He publicly denounced the activities and political influence of the American Klu Klux Klan. Smith dedicated the LDS Idaho Falls Idaho Temple on September 23, 1945.
[edit] Works
- Smith, George Albert (1951). Sayings of a Saint. Alice K. Chase.
- Smith, George Albert (1948). Sharing the Gospel With Others: Excerpts from the Sermons of President Smith, compiled by Preston Nibley, Deseret News Press.
- Smith, George Albert (1996). in Robert McIntosh and Susan McIntosh.: The Teachings of George Albert Smith, Eighth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bookcraft, Inc..
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Ellsworth, S. George. George Albert Smith. Selection in Church History, Selections from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Ludlow, Daniel H., Editor. Deseret Book Company, Salt Lake City, UT, 1992. ISBN 0-87579-924-8.
| Preceded by Heber J. Grant |
President of the LDS Church May 21, 1945–April 4, 1951 |
Succeeded by David O. McKay |
| Preceded by Rudger Clawson |
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles June 21, 1943–May 21, 1945 |
Succeeded by George F. Richards |
| Preceded by Hyrum M. Smith |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 8, 1903–May 21, 1945 |
Succeeded by Charles W. Penrose |
