Joseph Fielding Smith / Harold B. Lee

On January 23, 1970, at the age of 93, Joseph Fielding Smith was ordained and set apart as the tenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the oldest ever called to this office. He was called by his father to the apostleship in 1910 and served for 60 years—longer than any other apostle in this dispensation. His tenure as president, however, was also to be the shortest to that date as well. He died July 2, 1972, two and a half years later. No one could know that the comparatively young Harold B. Lee, who followed as president, would serve but one and a half years. Together they served four years and share space in this book because of their short tenures.

Joseph Fielding Smith had the unique distinction of being the only president of the Church born to a president of the Church and one of three presidents of the Church with the name Joseph Smith. His grandfather was Hyrum Smith, brother to the Prophet Joseph, and his great grandfather was Joseph Smith Sr. For eight years, father and son served together as prophet and apostle. One would suppose that with 25 volumes of published discourses and writings and the longevity as an apostle that his contribution to the Church would have already been accomplished. Still, his tenure as president was a vigorous one. The Ensign, New Era, and Friend were introduced, replacing the Improvement Era, Instructor, Children’s Friend, Relief Society Magazine, and other publications. New presidents were installed at Brigham Young University, Church College of Hawaii, and Ricks College; and cornerstones were laid at the Ogden and Provo Temples. Monday evenings were reserved Church-wide for family home evening, and area conferences were started (See Preface in book).

With respect to General Conference being a time of revelation President Smith made perhaps the strongest statement of any president of the Church and he did so as a part of his last conference before his death. “We are the servants of the Lord,” he told those assembled. “We have received light and truth and revelation from him. He has commanded us to proclaim His truths and live His laws. And so now, in harmony with His mind and will, and as guided by His Holy Spirit, we give counsel and direction to the Saints and to the world” (See Address14, paragraph 5 of this book).

President Harold B. Lee was ordained and set apart as the eleventh President of the Church on July7, 1972, upon the death of his predecessor as noted. He served the shortest tenure of any of his predecessors in Church history but his impact upon the Church was long remembered because of his thirty-six years of leadership especially in the welfare and correlation programs of the Church which he initiated under other presidents. Today these function throughout the world much as they were instituted by Elder Lee.

Certainly President Harold B. Lee considered Conference addresses scripture. As an apostle in 1941 he had referred to those “who sit here on the stand, as the fountainheads of truth, through whom God will reveal His will, that His Saints might be preserved through an evil day” (Harold B. Lee, Conference Report, April 1941, pp. 120-121). As President he was bolder yet when he said: “If you want to know what the Lord has for this people at the present time, I would admonish you to get and read the discourses that have been delivered at this conference, for what these brethren have spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost is the mind of the Lord, the will of the Lord, the voice of the Lord and the power of God unto salvation.” (See Lee Address 7, paragraph 2 of this book).

Shortly before his death he was attending his home ward Fast and Testimony Meeting and felt constrained to speak. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I know that it would be disturbing to my Father in Heaven if I don’t say something to you at this time. By way of testimony I want you to know that I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ and our Redeemer, and he is at the head of this Church; I am not” (See book preface). Jesus Christ was and is the only head of His Church and His prophets so testify. Know what the Lord had Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee tell the Saints that is not in The Doctrine and Covenants:

•Abortion is an evil act.
•Saints are to avoid practice of birth control.
•The Birthday of Jesus Christ was April 6.
•The responsibilities of motherhood cannot be disregarded without divine displeasure.
•Worlds without number are peopled by spirit children.
•Communism is Satins’ plan to counterfeit the United Order.
•Birth control is an abomination even in heavily populated countries.
•When administering to the sick personal appearance should be the best.
•President Lee was administered to by unseen hands.
•Why a church leader sometimes dies shortly after his calling to a new position.
•False revelation comes to members; how to tell.
•False spirits come to members; how to tell.
•How do I know that I am forgiven.
•Patriarchal blessings should be kept private.
•The nearer to God, the greater the trials.
•One can not lift another unless standing on higher ground.
•Financial blessings promised for those who keep the commandments.
•Youth urged not to follow the fashions of the world.

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