Joseph Fielding Smith, 10th president of the LDS Church, served a shorter tenure at the helm than any of his predecessors.
Yet there were many distinguishing features about his administration. Some of these were:
– Church membership soared past the 3,000,000 mark during his 2 1/2-year administration.
– Far-reaching organizational changes were made to provide a more extensive supervisory structure across the world.
– President Smith was the oldest of the 10 Mormon presidents to be sustained prophet, seer and revelator… at the remarkable age of 93.
– He brought to the presidency an unsurpassed background in church service, having been an apostle for nearly 60 years, recognized perhaps as the top theologian in the church.
President Smith’s death ends an era that stretches back to the pioneer period of the Mormon Church. Brigham Young, the second president and great colonizer, was still alive when he was born.
His heritage reached back to the very beginning of the church. Joseph Smith Jr., prophet and founder of the church in 1830, was his great uncle, and the prophet’s brother Hyrum, an assistant president of the church, who was martyred with Joseph on June 27, 1844 at Carthage Jail, was his grandfather. President Smith’s father was Joseph F. Smith, sixth president of the church, and son of Hyrum Smith.
Thus, the revered 10th president was a product of the church and he honored his heritage with a lifetime of devout living and example.
He was a crusader for righteousness, student of the, scriptures, and author in his own right with 24 books and numerous articles and pamphlets to his credit.
Church members, from the humble to the great, were shocked at his sudden passing Sunday night, and spoke words of praise for his stature as a man, his church leadership, and his devotion to his family.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at the Mormon Tabernacle where thousands will pay homage to this extraordinary man.
With his passing, the direction of the church is temporarily in the hands of the Council of Twelve Apostles, as it has been on several occasions before.
Following the tradition of the church, it is likely President Smith’s successor will be the senior member of the Twelve – Harold B. Lee.
Elder Lee, now first counselor in the First Presidency, has been spiritual pillar and a popular leader, not only in the church but in education, business and public affairs. He became a member of the Twelve April 6, 1941.
The Herald joins friends of President Smith everywhere in expressing regret at his passing and deep sympathy to his family. His life was characterized by unswerving purpose and long, faithful and dedicated service qualities which his followers and admirers might well emulate in the years to come.