Birth:
Born July 19, 1876, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah to Joseph Fielding Smith and Julina Lambson.
Marriage:
Married Louie E. Shurtliff on Apr. 26, 1898, (died Mar. 30, 1908); married Ethel G. Reynolds on Nov. 2, 1908 (died Aug. 26, 1937); married Jessie Ella Evans on Apr. 12, 1938 (died Aug.3, 1971).
Ordained an Apostle:
Apr. 7, 1910, at age 33.
Became President:
Jan. 23, 1970, at age 93. Served 2 years (1970–1972).
Death:
Died on July 2, 1972, at the age of 95, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah.
Historical Summary
1876 July 19
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Joseph F. Smith and Julina Lambson.
1896
Age 20
Patriarchal blessing proclaims, “It shall be thy duty to sit in counsel with thy brethren and to preside among the people.”
1898 April 26
Age 21
Married Louie E. Shurtliff (she died March 30, 1908).
1899–1901
Age 23–24
Served mission to England.
1901
Age 25
Served as clerk in Church Historian's Office.
1906
Age 30
Served as assistant Church Historian.
1908 November 2
Age 32
Married Ethel Georgina Reynolds (she died August 26, 1937).
1910 April 7
Age 33
Ordained Apostle by President Joseph F. Smith, his father.
1919
Age 43
Called as counselor in Salt Lake Temple Presidency.
1921–1970
Age 45–94
Served as Church Historian.
1934
Age 57
Served as president of Church's Genealogical Society.
1938 April 12
Age 61
Married Jessie Ella Evans (she died August 3, 1971).
1939
Age 63
Toured Europe; World War II began; directed evacuation of all missionaries from Europe.
1945
Age 69
Served as president of the Salt Lake Temple.
1950 September 30
Age 74
Became Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
1951 April 9
Age 74
Sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
1955
Age 79
Toured Far East and dedicated four countries for the preaching of the gospel.
1965 October 29
Age 89
Became a counselor in the First Presidency.
1970 January 23
Age 93
Became President of the Church.
1970 October
Age 94
Monday night designated for family home evening.
1971 August 27–29
Age 95
Presided over first area conference of the Church in Manchester, England.
1972 January 18
Age 95
Ogden Utah Temple dedicated.
1972 February 9
Age 95
Provo Utah Temple dedicated.
1972 July 2
Age 95
Died in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sources
2003 Church Almanac
(Salt Lake City: Deseret News,
c2002).
My Kingdom Shall Roll Forth: Readings in Church History
(Salt Lake City: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
c1979).
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