Spencer W. Kimball

Spencer W. Kimball
File:SpencerWKimball.jpg
Personal details
Born	Spencer Woolley Kimball March 28, 1895
Died	November 5, 1985

Spencer Woolley Kimball (March 28, 1895 – November 5, 1985) was the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1973-1985). His grandfather, Heber C. Kimball, was one of the original Apostles of the church and later served as first counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency.

Early life

Kimball was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Andrew Kimball and Olive Woolley. When Spencer was three, his father was called to preside as president of the St. Joseph stake and his family relocated to southeastern Arizona.

During his childhood, Kimball suffered from typhoid fever, facial paralysis and once nearly drowned. Four of his sisters died in childhood, and his mother died when he was eleven.

After graduating from high school in 1914, he was called to serve as a missionary in the Germany-Swiss Mission, but due to World War I, was reassigned to the Central States Mission until 1916. In 1917 he attended the University of Arizona, but received an army draft notice later that year. Despite several immenent departures, each was delayed and he was never called up. During this time he courted Camilla Eyring and they married on November 16, 1917. They eventually had four children: Spencer L., Olive Beth, Andrew E., and Edward L.

Shortly after marrying, Kimball received employment in banking. After working for several different banks, in 1927 he started his own insurance and real estate agency. Additionally, he made a significant portion of his income as a debt collector. This he continued until his call into full time church service. Kimball was also actively involved in PTA, city council, Red Cross, Boy Scouts, and elected statewide leader of the Arizona Rotary Club in 1936.

Church Ministry

Kimball served in various positions within the church, including stake clerk, counselor and later president. He was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1943.

Throughout his ministry, Kimball labored among the native peoples of North and South America. As part of this work, he developed the "Indian Student Placement Program" to provide Native Americans the opportunity to attend school while living with host families. Twenty years after its inception, nearly 5,000 students a year participated in the program. The program ended when schools improved among the Native Americans.

In 1948, Kimball suffered a heart attack. Several years later he battled recurring throat cancer. This lead to one and a half vocal cords being removed in 1957. After his heart condition resurfaced, in 1972 a successful open-heart surgery replaced an obstructed artery and failing valve. Because presidential succession in the church is traditionally based on seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve, he was not expected to become church president. However, the younger Harold B. Lee, who ranked above him in seniority in the Quorum, died suddenly in December 1973. Kimball then became the 12th president of the church.

Despite Kimball's age and history of poor health, major developments occurred during his presidency. Most notably is the 1978 declaration conferring the priesthood on all worthy male members. The number of missionaries also greatly increased and a burst of temple building occurred. His book, The Miracle of Forgiveness, is one of the most well-known within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the 1980s Kimball's health declined and the duties of the presidency were increasingly shouldered by his counselor Gordon B. Hinckley. Following his death, Kimball was succeeded by Ezra Taft Benson.

Grave marker of Spencer W. Kimball.

Works

• Kimball, Spencer W. (1972). Faith Precedes the Miracle: Based on Discourses of Spencer W. Kimball. Deseret Book Company. ISBN 0-87747-490-7.
• Kimball, Spencer W. (1969). The Miracle of Forgiveness. Bookcraft, Inc. ISBN 0-88494-192-2.
• Kimball, Spencer W. (1975). One Silent Sleepless Night.
• Kimball, Spencer W. (1981). President Kimball Speaks Out. Deseret Book Company.
• Kimball, Spencer W. (1987). Proclaiming the Gospel: President Kimball Speaks on Missionary Work. Bookcraft, Inc.
• Kimball, Spencer W. (1982). Edward L. Kimball (ed.). The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball. Bookcraft, Inc. ISBN 0-88494-472-1.

References

• Kimball, Edward L. and Andrew E. Kimball, Jr. (1977). Spencer W. Kimball. Bookcraft, Inc. ISBN 0-88494-330-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• L. Brent Goatess. "Spencer W Kimball". Light Planet. Retrieved June 23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
• Church Educational System (2005). Presidents of the Church: Student Manual. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. pp. 194-211.