Utah History
A Biography of George Albert Smith. Published by the Eastern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1951
8/03/2021 06:00:00 AMI came across this little biography in some my father-in-law's old LDS mission papers. I'm sure tons has been published about the life of George Albert Smith on the web already but I still wanted to share this interesting find.
April 4, 1870 - April, 4, 1951
President George Albert Smith
Eastern States Mission - 1951
On Monday, May 21st, 1945, one week after the death of president Heber J. Grant at a meeting of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, held in the Salt Lake Temple, George Albert Smith, the president of the Quorum, was sustained and set apart by his brethren, as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At the time this high honor came to President Smith, he was in his seventy-sixth year, having passed his seventy-fifth birthday on the fourth of April, about six weeks previously. Though not in robust health, he was physically and mentally alert and active, and well qualified by birth, training and long experience, to carry on the great responsibility which had been delegated to him.
President Smith was a member of the fourth generation of a family which had distinguished itself for faithful devoted service in the Church, from its organization until the present time. His great-grandfather, John Smith, an uncle of the Prophet Joseph Smith, was an early convert to the teaching of his brilliant nephew, having been baptized at Potsdam, New York, on January 9th, 1832.
Uncle John, as he is familiarly known by the Church history, emigrated to Kirtland in 1833, and from thence he followed the Saints in all their wanderings; to Missouri, to Illinois, to Winter Quarters and to the Great Basin. In the fall of 1847 he reached Salt Lake Valley, a few weeks after the original company of pioneers and was selected by President Brigham Young to preside over the isolated settlement of the Saints until the return of the First Presidency from Winter Quarters, which took place in September 1848.
President George Albert Smith is the second son of John Henry and Sarah Farr Smith, an elder brother having died as an infant. President Smith was born in Salt Lake City on April 4, 1870. From the beginning, good fortune favored the boy; the home life of the parents was regarded by the neighbors and friends as an ideal. Love and affection abounded there; the highest principles of morality and religion were taught and observed. Living close by was President George A. Smith, the grandfather, after whom the child was named. The family was distinguished; the name they bore was among the most honored in the Church. There were no doubt many fond wishes and expectations, expressed for this boy, for where much is given, much is expected. He has lived to fulfill all these expectations, and add honors to the accomplishments of his illustrious forebears. Happy are the parents who can call him their son.
Tracing the early influences of his childhood, it was plain to see that his own father was his ideal. "I have never met a greater man than my father," he said. The fact that he bore his grandfather's name has influenced him in shaping his career. "That has meant much to me," he continued, "I have had that sacred name to take care of." He has stated that once when he was recovering from a long illness, he dreamed that he saw and spoke to his grandfather. "I thought I was on the shore of a lake," he related, "and I found that I was alone. I saw a trail through the woods and concluded that I would follow it; soon I saw a man coming towards me. As he neared me I discovered that he was my grandfather. As we met he said: "I'd like to know what you have done with my name." "Grandfather," I answered, "I have never done anything with your name that you need to be ashamed of." I then became conscious and I made up my mind that I would never do anything to harm his good name."
After a few years of preliminary education in the schools of Salt Lake City, the boy was sent, when twelve years of age, to live with relatives in Provo, where he would have an opportunity to attend the Brigham Young Academy. He graduated from the Academy and the University of Utah as an engineer, and while still very young, George Albert was a member of the survey party that helped lay out the Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad mainline through the desert country east of Greenriver, Utah. While at Brigham Young Academy he came under the influence of that remarkable educator of pioneer days, Karl G. Maeser. He well remembered some of the precepts taught him by that noted man. One of them, which he said had influenced his life, is as follows: "Not only will you be held accountable for the things that you do, but you will also be held responsible for the thoughts that you think."
After his father's departure for England, early in 1883, where had had been called to preside over the European Mission, George Albert returned to Salt Lake City. After spending a year at the University of Utah, which he entered when he was eighteen, he left school entirely and began work as a salesman for Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution. This employment appears to have been to his liking and he made a success of it from the beginning. He was energetic, kind, agreeable, pleasant in conversation and very conscientious in his work. He kept a diary during one of his commercial journeys to Southern Utah in the spring and summer of 1890. At that time he was only a few weeks past his twentieth birthday. He left Salt Lake City with his companions, James Poulton, traveling with team and wagon, bound for the southern settlements. It took them seven hours to reach their first stopping place, American Fork. They were happy and spent entertaining hours, for James Poulton had his flute and George Albert had brought his guitar, and together they played and sang. Orders for goods were taken from the merchants in the various settlements. They traveled as far south as St. George and Panguitch and after a successful journey returned to Salt Lake City on June 30th.
In the fall of the following year, 1891, when he was 21 years of age, he undertook his first missionary work. He received a call from the Presidency of the Church, to labor among the young people in the stakes of Juab, Millard, Beaver and Parowan, in the interest of the Mutual Improvement Association. He undertook this work willingly. After receiving his endowments in the Manti Temple, he departed for the southern part of the state on September 7th. He and his companion, William B. Dougall, Jr., held meetings in the various towns, organized Mutual Improvement Associations, and encouraged the young people to live in accordance with the principles of their religion. Their mission being successfully completed, they returned to their homes during the latter part of November, 1891.
On Wednesday, May 25th, 1892, in the Temple at Manti, George Albert Smith was married to this childhood sweetheart, Lucy Emily Woodruff. Lucy was the daughter of Wilford Woodruff, Jr., and Emily Jane Smith. She was the granddaughter of two well known men in Church History, President Wilford Woodruff and Judge Elias Smith. Gentle, refined, sincere, with complete faith in the religion of her parents and grandparents, Lucy was to make an ideal companion for her husband. They enjoyed many happy years together.
Just one week after their marriage, George Albert departed for his second mission. He had been called to the Southern States. When he arrived in Chattanooga Tennessee, he was assigned by the Mission President, J. Golden Kimball, to the Middle Tennessee Conference, where he labored with diligence until September. Then he was transferred to the mission office in Chattanooga, to act as Secretary of the Southern States Mission. After a few weeks his wife Lucy joined him, and together they labored happily until June 1894, when they were honorably released to return to their homes.
In reporting his mission in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, on July 22, 1894, he stated that the Southern State Mission was in a flourishing condition.
"The prejudice that formerly existed against the servants of God, sent among them, and towards the Latter-Day Saints located there, has almost died out. Our Elders are treated well wherever they go. In former times we only had access to the people in rural districts, but we now have the privilege of visiting those in the cities, and we were received by many of them kindly. . . . . . .
"The speaker rejoiced at being home again and having the privilege of mingling with the Saints hero. He enjoyed his labors while on his mission, and uttered words of praise for the people of the South, who, he said, are among the most hospitable to be found anywhere."
At home again, George Albert resumed his employment with Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution. He was a natural salesman and found no difficulty in making a good living in that occupation. He also took an active part in politics, and during the presidential campaign in the fall of 1896, vigorously supported William McKinley the Republican candidate for president. McKinley was elected, and when he appointed a Receiver of the Land Office for Utah, on January 5, 1898, George Albert Smith received the appointment. This honor came to the young man just three months before his 28th birthday. Four years later the appointment was renewed without solicitation, by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Meantime, since his return from his mission, George Albert had been active in his Church duties. He was made Superintendent of the Seventeenth Ward Sunday School, and in 1902 was selected to head the Y.M.M.I.A. organizations of Salt Lake Stake, which then embraced the whole of Salt Lake Valley.
On Tuesday, October 6th, 1903, at the afternoon session of the semi-annual General Conference of the Church, held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the name of George Albert Smith was presented, and he was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. The appointment came as a complete surprise to Elder Smith, although his patriarchal blessing given under the hands of Zebedee Coltrin when he was but 12 years of age, indicated that he would some day become an Apostle. On Thursday, October 8th, in the Salt Lake Temple, he was ordained and set apart in his new office and calling by President Joseph F. Smith.
His first stake conference in his new capacity as an Apostle was that of Utah stake, held at Provo on Sunday, October 11, 1903, three days after his ordination. Since that date he has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles in visiting the stakes of Zion and the far-flung missions of the Church. He has exercised great diligence in his calling, and has unweariedly carried on his work as an advocate of the gospel of Jesus Christ which was restored to earth by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
In reading President Smith's diary, during his early years as an Apostle, one finds many interesting items. On February 22nd, 1904, he was elected to the office of Chaplain in the local organization of the Sons of the American Revolution. He subsequently took a real interest in the success of this group and in 1918 became the President of the Utah Society. At the National Convention, held in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 23, 1923, he was elected vice-president General of the national organization. He served in this office for even terms.
On April 13th, 1904, he was named a member of the General Board of YMMIA, and later on presided as general Superintendent for many years.
September 10th, 1905, he recorded a most important event in his diary---the birth of his only son, George Albert Smith, Jr.
On October 13th, 1911, his father, President John Henry Smith, died, giving him a most severe shock. George Albert had taken ill on February, 1909, and was almost completely incapacitated for a period of more than two years, and was weakened for a number of months beyond that time. The physical effect upon his system was heavy with the new of his father's death. Later in 1912, Elder Smith noted a definite improvement in his health.
An item of special interest in his journal in May, 1914, informs us that he had purchased a lot in the new sub-division in Yale Park in Salt Lake City. He subsequently purchased a home in the lot adjoining this beautiful property and has resided there since.
In July 1915, Elder Smith left Salt Lake City to visit the Eastern States Mission. This journey occupied six weeks time and took him to many of the important cities in that part of the country. Toronto was reached on July 7th; the following day he was at Rochester, and on the 8th he spent the day at Palmyra, where he met and visited with Mr. Sexton, the owner of the Cumorah farm.
On January 27, 1919, President Heber J. Grant asked Elder Smith to prepare for a mission to England. The presidency of the European Mission at that time and for many years previously, had been occupied by a member of the Twelve, it was therefore in order that Elder Smith should in time be called to take his turn. His wife, son, and daughter left for England on June 4th, 1919.
On February 1st, 1921, President Smith received a cablegram from Salt Lake City with the sad news that his mother had died. Shortly thereafter came word from the First Presidency that his successor had been appointed and that he would be allowed to return home.
George Albert resumed his duties in the work of the Quorum of the Twelve. He also had an added responsibility given him on September 21st, when he was selected by the First Presidency to be the General Superintendent of the Y.M.M.I.A. organization of the Church.
On January 6, 1932, George Albert made note in his diary that he had received the award of the Silver beaver from the Regional Society of Boy Scouts of America. April of the same year he was elected to the National Executive Board, Boy Scouts of America. Also, in April 1934, he received the Silver Buffalo, the highest award in scouting in the United States. The award was made for outstanding and meritorious service to boyhood.
On July 6, 1935, he officiated in the Temple in uniting in marriage his son George Albert, Jr., and Ruth Nowell.
On January 21st, 1937, Elder Smith noted in his journal that he had spent part of the day with a committee of the Utah Pioneer Trails association. The subject discussed was the erection of a suitable monument at the mouth of Emigration Canyon to honor the Pioneers. Thus for 10 years George Albert Smith labored faithfully and diligently to bring into realization the great masterpiece of art which was completed and dedicated on July 24th, 1947 in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the arrival of president Brigham Young and the original Pioneer band. To George Albert Smith, more than any other man, belongs the honor of having labored faithfully , diligently, and lovingly, against manifold obstructions and discouragements, to bring about its realization.
Throughout the years of 1936 and 1937, Elder Smith was greatly concerned about the health of his dear and beloved wife, who, for some time, had been seriously ailing with arthritis. During April, 1937, her life was despaired of and members of her family were summoned to her bedside. However, she rallied from this illness and became somewhat stronger during the summer, so that she could ride our in a car and enjoy the sunshine and the scenery. On May 25th she and her husband observe the 45th anniversary of their marriage. During September and October her health visibly declined, and late in October she suffered a serious relapse, and on Friday November, 5th, she passed peacefully away. The death of his beloved wife was a heavy blow to George Albert Smith. He was not in robust health himself and had difficulty maintaining his normal strength so that he could carry on with his tasks. The Authorities of the Church were mindful of his loss and realizing that a change of environment might be beneficial he was offered and accepted an opportunity to visit the missions of the Church in the South Pacific. After a very colorful and successful mission to the South Seas, Elder Smith resumed his activities at home and abroad for a period of five years. During this time he enjoyed good health which enabled him to attend to his multiforious duties.
On Monday, June 21st, 1943, the members of the Church were notified by the press and radio that President Rudger Clawson had died at his home in Salt Lake City. His death left a vacancy in the important position of President of the Twelve and Elder George Albert Smith, being the highest ranking member in point of service in his Quorum was sustained by his brethren of the First Presidency and the Twelve to succeed President Clawson. He was set apart for this position by President Heber J. Grant on July 8th, 1943.
Two years later, on May 14th, 1945, came the startling news that President Heber J. Grant, the venerable head of the Church, had passed away at his home in Salt Lake City. At the time, Elder Smith was on his way east, on business for the Church. He received a telegram at Buffalo, New York, conveying the sad news and immediately began the return journey to Salt Lake City where he arrived in time to be present at the funeral on the 18th. He was one of the speakers on that occasion. Three days later, on May 21st, at a meeting of the Quorums of the Twelve, held in the Salt Lake Temple, Elder Smith was sustained by his brethren as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
At the Semi-annual General Conference of the Church, held in October, 1945 in the historic Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, President Smith was sustained by the great body of the Priesthood voting in Quorums. The First Presidency, the Twelve, the Patriarchs, the High Priests, the Seventies, the Elders, and all the members of the lesser Priesthood, voted in groups. Finally the entire assembly including the priesthood, arose in a body and gave the First Presidency a unanimous sustaining vote by upraised hands. There was not a negative vote cast in the entire procedure.
After the vote had been taken President Smith arose and said: "I wonder if anyone here feels as weak and as humble as the man who stands before you now. I have been coming to this house since my infancy. I have seen all the Presidents of the Church since that time, sustained by the congregations here, as their names have been presented from this stand. I have seen the Church continue to grow in numbers, and have realized throughout all my years the the Church of Jesus Christ is what its name implies. We who are members of this Church are indeed fortunate to have found the light and to have accepted the truth. . . . ."
"And so today, my brethren, standing here in humility before you, I would like to express to you my gratitude that you have seen fit to promise that you will help the humble man who has been called to preside over this Church, as he strives to carry on by the inspiration of the Almighty. For this promise I am grateful and I thank you that you have offered to do the same things with regard to the two men who stand by my side as counselors, loyal and true and devoted to Latter-Day Saints, who had done everything to make my responsibility easier for me to carry. You voted to sustain the Quorum of the Twelve, the Quorum that I belonged to for so many years, and I felt like a stranger almost, when I walked out of it to occupy the position of President of the Church."
On February 28, 1950, President Smith received an honorary doctor of humanities degree at the convocation celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of Utah.
While active in Church affairs, he held directorships and other offices in the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, the Utah National Bank and the Utah Hotel Company, all institutions controlled by the Church.
President Smith traveled widely, having inspected Latter-Day Saint missions and Church buildings in Hawaii, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, the Fiji Islands and Samoa as well as in Europe. In 1950, despite his age (80 years), he visited Hawaii in connection with and L.D.S. festival, and in 1947, Utah's centennial year, he made a fourteen-day tour of the state's pioneer sites.
Almost six year have passed since President George Albert Smith assumed the duties and responsibilities of his great office. Now, he has passed away on the day of his birth, April 4, 1951 at the age of eighty-one years. He has inspired the membership of the Church in their increasing and fruitful efforts to build upon the earth the Kingdom of God. Now with hearts full of gratitude and love for our dear President, we as a body feel to praise his name and thank God for giving us such a wonderful prophet as President George Albert Smith. It is a great blessing that through the post-war period when confusion and uncertainty have dimmed the focus of hope and high achievement in so much of the world and among so many people, thjat we had been given a Prophet whose personality and whose desires expressed love, tolerance and kindness------a breadth of sympathy and a voice of guidance like unto those qualities exemplified by the apostles and prophets of old. Lord, we thank thee!
ON BEHALF OF THE EASTERN STATES MISSION,
GEORGE Q. MORRIS, President.
