QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE PROPHETS

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QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE PROPHETS JOSEPH SMITH –When Joseph was just 14 years old, he wasn’t sure which church to join, so he read from the Bible and saw that Heavenly Father would answer his prayers if he needed wisdom. He went into a grove of trees to pray near his house to pray. Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to him and told him not to join any of the churches and that he would restore the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth.

BRIGHAM YOUNG was a prophet longer than any of the other latter-day prophets – for 30 years! He led the saints from Nauvoo across the country to settle in Utah and began the building of the Salt Lake temple.

JOHN TAYLOR was the only prophet born outside of the United States; he was born in England. John Taylor was shot several times when with Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed in Carthage Jail, but his life was spared.

WILFORD WOODRUFF was the prophet at the time that the Salt Lake temple was completed and dedicated. The temple took 40 years to build.

LORENZO SNOW told his granddaughter that when he was in the Salt Lake temple he saw Jesus and spoke with him face to face.

JOSEPH F. SMITH was the son of Hyrum Smith, and was just 5 years old when his dad was killed in Carthage Jail. While he was the president of the church, the 1st presidency wrote a letter encouraging families to hold Family Home Evening.

HEBER J. GRANT was the prophet during World War II and emphasized the law of tithing, hard work, thrift, and the Word of Wisdom.

GEORGE ALBERT SMITH was an apostle at the same time as his father for a period of 7 years. This has never occurred at any other time. His grandfather George A. Smith was also an apostle before him. His great-grandfather was a General Authority.

DAVID O. McKAY spoke often about the home and family. He taught that courtship should continue after marriage. President McKay wrote love poems for his wife on her birthday. He was often seen opening the door for her wife, and always gave her a kiss when he left or returned home.

JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH was called to be an apostle in 1910 when his father, Joseph F. Smith was the prophet. He was an apostle for 62 years, longer than any other man. He was the prophet for 2 ½ years at a very old age – from age 93 until 95.

HAROLD B. LEE was only a prophet for a little over 1 year, but he touched many lives and taught the saints to hold Family Home Evening, teach their children, and protect them from the temptations of the world.

SPENCER W. KIMBALL -- When Spencer was 8 years old, he was baptized in a hogscalding tub that the family used as a bath tub. He had surgery on his vocal chords when he was 62 and ended up with a whispery quiet voice for the rest of his life. He had a special microphone that enabled everyone to hear his voice well. His quiet voice brought a special spirit to all who heard him.

EZRA TAFT BENSON was the oldest of 11 children and was the great-grandson of the apostle Ezra T. Benson who served with Brigham Young. He grew up on a farm and later worked in Agriculture. While serving on the quorum of the twelve, he was asked by U.S. president Dwight Eisenhower to be the secretary of Agriculture on the United States Cabinet. He was able to do that while continuing his work as an apostle.

HOWARD W. HUNTER was a prophet for the shortest amount of time – for just 9 months. He asked the saints to “look to the temple” and for every member to be worthy to enter the temple. His son is now the president of the Oakland Temple.

GORDON B. HINCKLEY was the prophet until January of 2008, so when most of the Primary children were born and for much of their lives. President Hinckley taught the 6 B’s ( Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean, Be True, Be Humble, Be Prayerful) and to “try a little harder to be a little better.”

THOMAS S. MONSON is our living prophet today. We get to hear him give talks in General Conference and can read his words for us in the Friend Magazine. He is the person on the earth who speaks to us from Heavenly Father and Jesus. He has told us to “Find joy in the journey” which means we should be happy as we live our lives.