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President Joseph Fielding Smith assumed the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exceptionally well qualified by study, experience, and training. He served for 60 years as an apostle under four Presidents of the Church, 19 years as President of the Quorum of Twelve and five years as a counselor in the First Presidency….
It has been my privilege to accompany President and Sister Smith as they have traveled about the Church since he became President. I have observed the great love that the people, young and old, have for him, and I have seen him reciprocate by leaving a blessing upon the people. I have watched as he has picked up little children and held them is his arms and I have seen the tenderness with which he has greeted them….
Although he has been so blessed that he has never really been sick, he has great compassion for those who suffer. He has sat up at night with his own children when they were young, caring for the This was not only to comfort them, but to relieve there mother, who has had a long and strenuous day and needed the rest. When shown a picture of a group of handicapped children, to whom he had recently spoken and sung a duet, tears came to his eyes and he reflected upon the circumstances of these wonderful young people.
I have found the President to be forthright, honest, and a fearless defender of the faith. He has always been a kind, compassionate, and loving father and a devoted, considerate, and gentle husband and companion. To know his is to love, honor and respect him, not only as a man and as a friend, but as a Prophet to the Lord.
(From a tribute given by D. Arthur Haycock, executive secretary to President Smith,
in A Prophet Among the People, by Heslop and Can Orden.)
Tenth President of the Church
Succession: Succeeded David O. McKay as President of the Church.
Birth date: July 19, 1876
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah
Called as president, date: January 23, 1970
Called as president, age: 93
Years as president: 2
Fact: At 93, he was the oldest prophet to assume the presidency.
Fact: He enjoyed flying in military jets with the Utah National
Guard.
Fact: When called as an Apostle, his father was the president of
the church and his older brother Hyrum was also an Apostle.