Facts about President Harold B. Lee
How blessed we are to be led by inspired prophets in these latter-days. We mourned the passing of one of our beloved leaders, our sorrow is tempered by the assurance that we will be guided by yet another of the Lord’s chosen leaders. It is reassuring to know that our leaders are men of sound judgment, great spiritual insight, and that they have presided in the leading councils of our church for many years. Such has definitely been the case from Prophet Joseph Smith to our current inspired leader. We love and sustain these great leaders, having watched their remarkable service to the church, to its members, and to the Lord for many years.
Following are some interesting facts and insights into the leadership and experience of President Harold B. Lee, as presented by Trent Toone.
Harold Bingham Lee was born on March 28, 1899, in Clifton, Idaho. Raised in rural, humble conditions and in a Latter-day Saint home, he developed a strong work ethic at a young age. He became a teacher at age 17 and a school principal at age 18. He served a mission in the Western States Mission, particularly in Denver, Colorado. During his mission, he met Fern Lucinda Tanner. They later married in the Salt Lake Temple. He continued his education at the University of Utah while a school principal. He also worked as a salesman, taught seminary, and served as a Salt Lake City commissioner. At age 31, Harold was called as the Church’s then-youngest stake president, leading the Salt Lake Pioneer Stake during the Great Depression. He pioneered a self-help and relief program, which later developed into the Church’s Welfare System. He was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 10, 1941, at the age of 42. In the years that followed, Elder Lee continued to work with the Welfare Program, which served needy individuals and communities in many countries. As an apostle, he led the Church’s Priesthood Correlation Committee, which focused on unifying curriculum and strengthening the family, including the promotion of family home evening. President Lee served as a counselor in the First Presidency to President Joseph Fielding Smtih before becoming the Church President on July 7, 1972. In the 18 months he served as President, President Lee was the first Church president to visit Israel. He presided over the creation of stakes in Chile and Korea, and over conferences in Mexico and Germany. He extended the welfare services program of the Church worldwide. He mentored many future Church leaders, including Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, and Gordon B. Hinckley. President Lee died on December 2, 1973, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Click here to return to the Prophets menu
Click here to return to the Apostles Menu page
Click here to return to the Main Menu page