Spencer W. Kimball
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Spencer Woolley Kimball (March 28, 1895 – November 5, 1985) headed The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons, from 1973 until his death in 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 governing First Presidency.
Spencer Kimball was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in the United States and was raised in southeastern Arizona. He owned and operated a prosperous insurance agency in the town of Safford. He also engaged in real estate development and securities collections. In 1943 he was called to the become a member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles.
During his apostleship, Elder Kimball's labors spanned the globe as he served both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints along with other people he came in contact with. Primary duties included visiting and organizing stakes, wards, and branches of the Church, calling missionaries, performing temple marriages, teaching and bearing testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Dedicated to the people whom he had been called to serve, he spent countless hours interviewing, teaching, and counselling members and others about how to repent of their sins, overcome trials, and live better, Christ centered lives.
As an apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Spencer found himself teaching the principles of repentance and forgiveness quite frequently. Referring to many of the same scriptures and teachings over and over, he wondered if his notes might be used to serve more than those he could meet with personally. In response to this need, he compiled his oft used notes and scripture references in book form, and titled it; "The Miracle of Forgiveness". His book has been used throughout the world to help millions of people understand the need for repentance and the blessing of the forgiveness that follows.
Throughout his ministry, Elder Kimball was given significant responsibilities in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the native indian people of both North and South America. As part of this work, he developed the "Indian Student Placement Program" which provided indians of many tribes the opportunity to live with foster families while going to school. The design of this program was that the indian students would obtain a good education, return to their homes and there, help to better the lives of their own families and communities. Thousands participated in this program, the effects of which are still impacting the lives of countless people throughout North and South America.
Kimball suffered from intermittently poor health, including throat cancer and heart problems. Because presidential accession in the Church is traditionally based on seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve, he was not expected to become Church president. Harold B. Lee, who ranked above him in seniority in the Quorum, was four years his junior and perceived to be in good health. However, when Lee died suddenly in December 1973, Kimball became the 12th president of the Church.
Kimball's presidency is remembered for a variety of accomplishments as the Church grew rapidly worldwide. His 1978 declaration that the priesthood would be conferred on all worthy male members without regard to race or color was notable, as was the expansion of the Church's missionary program.
In the 1980s Kimball's health declined and the burdens of the presidency were increasingly shouldered by counselor Gordon B. Hinckley. Following his death, Kimball was succeeded by Ezra Taft Benson.
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