512 Heber J. GrantPresident of the Church, 19181945 Heber J. Grant was an example of persistence and determination. He lived by these words: "That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do; not that the nature of the thing itself is changed, but that our power to do is increased" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1901, 63). "Keep the commandments of God," he urged. "That is my keynote speech, just those few words: Keep the commandments of God" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1920, 10). He reaffirmed such principles as the Word of Wisdom, the law of tithing, and industry and thrift. Under his direction, the Church moved to secure financial footing. As the Lord's prophet, he invited all people to come unto Christ: "No matter in what land we may dwell the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ makes us brothers and sisters" (in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [196575], 5:311). 1856 | Born in Salt Lake City on 22 November to Jedediah Morgan Grant and Rachel Ridgeway Ivins Grant; his father, a counselor to President Brigham Young, dies nine days later | 1864 | Baptized in a wagon box set up as an outdoor baptismal font in City Creek, Salt Lake City | 1877 | Age 20, marries Lucy Stringham on 1 November; she dies in 1893 | 1882 | Age 25, ordained an Apostle by George Q. Cannon | 188384 | Ages 2628, serves a mission to the American Indians | 19013 | Ages 4446, organizes and presides over the Japanese Mission | 19046 | Ages 4750, serves as president of the British and European Missions | 1918 | Age 62, sustained as President of the Church on 23 November, with Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose as counselors | 1919 | Age 63, dedicates the Hawaii Temple on 27 November | 1923 | Age 66, dedicates the Alberta (Canada) Temple on 26 August | 1927 | Age 70, dedicates the Arizona Temple on 23 October | 1936 | Age 80, establishes the Church welfare plan | 1945 | Age 88, dies on 14 May in Salt Lake City after more than 26 years as President of the Church |
SummaryHeber J. Grant, seventh President of the Church, was an example of persistence and determination. He led the Church during the difficult time of World War I and through World War II and helped the Church become financially secure. He urged members to keep the Word of Wisdom, pay tithing, and be thrifty. He invited all people to come unto Christ and keep the commandments of God. Artist, C. J. Fox © 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA |
