Mormon Church Presidents
The LDS Guide to the scriptures states that a prophet is “A person who has been called by and speaks for God. As a messenger of God, a prophet receives commandments, prophecies, and revelations from God. His responsibility is to make known God’s will and true character to mankind and to show the meaning of his dealings with them.
Joseph Smith (1805–1844)
A quick outline of his entire ministry on earth is the following: The Prophet Joseph Smith was fourteen when he received the First vision and seventeen years old when he received a visit from the angel Moroni. He was twenty-one when he received the gold plates and just twenty-three when he finished translating the Book of Mormon (Read more).
Brigham Young (1801–1877)
John Taylor (1808–1887)
John Taylor was the third Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known for helping the Saints deal with the persecutions of jail, fining, and being denied the vote because of their beliefs, all of which occurred during his presidency. John Taylor was born on November 1, 1808, in Milnthorpe, England. He finished schooling at fourteen and became a skilled woodworker. (Read more).
Wilford Woodruff (1807–1898)
Wilford Woodruff was the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known for his missionary work, the formation of the Genealogical Society, and for writing the manifesto that officially prohibited plural marriage within the Church. Wilford Woodruff was born on March 1, 1807, in Connecticut. His mother died when he was only fifteen months old (Read more).
Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901)
Lorenzo Snow was the fifth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known for his great financial ability and his work in bringing the Church out of debt. He was also known for his missionary work and incredible intelligence. Lorenzo Snow was born on April 3, 1814, in Ohio. He declined an apprenticeship, something most young men (Read more).
Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918)
Joseph F. Smith was the sixth prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in that position for seventeen years. Born on November 13, 1838, to Hyrum (Joseph Smith’s elder brother) and Mary Fielding Smith, he experienced upheaval and hardships early in life. His father was in jail when he was born, and the rest of his family was forced from their home (Read more).
Heber J. Grant (1856–1945)
Heber J. Grant was the seventh prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known for guiding the Church through some of its toughest times including the Great Depression and World War II. Heber Jeddy Grant was born on November 22, 1856. His father Jedediah died only nine days after his birth. (Read more).
George Albert Smith (1870–1951)
President George Albert Smith was ordained as the eighth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 14, 1945. He was known for his love and genuine concern for others. George Albert Smith was born on April 4, 1870 in Salt Lake City, Utah. When he was only five years old he had the opportunity to meet Brigham Young (Read more).
David O. McKay (1873–1970)
David O. McKay was the ninth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church). He served in this position from 1951 until his death 20 years later. David Oman McKay was born on September 8, 1873. He was the third child of David and Jennette Evans McKay. When he was seven, multiple trials came (Read more).
Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972)
Joseph Fielding Smith was the tenth prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known as an able writer and wrote numerous books. Joseph Fielding Smith was born on July 19, 1876. His father was Joseph F. Smith (sixth prophet of the Church) and his grandfather was Hyrum Smith, the brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. (Read more).
Harold B. Lee (1899–1973)
Harold B. Lee was the eleventh President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was known for overseeing the growth of the Church internationally, increasing the Church’s welfare services, and helping correlate the curriculum of the Church. Harold Bingham Lee was born on March 28, 1899 in Clifton, Idaho. He was baptized into the Church (Read more).
Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985)
Spencer W. Kimball was the twelfth President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Kimball was known for his contributions in organizing the structure of the Church and for receiving the revelation allowing all worthy men to have the priesthood. Born Spencer Wooley Kimball on March 28, 1895, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spencer was the son of (Read more).
Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994)
Ezra Taft Benson became the thirteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on November 10, 1985. President Benson was born August 4, 1899, in Whitney, Idaho. He was the oldest of eleven children. When he was a youth his father was called on a mission. The family worked hard to keep up the farm while he was gone, but his father’s example (Read more).
Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995)
Howard W. Hunter was the fourteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is remembered for stressing the importance of temple work and attending the temple regularly. Howard W. Hunter was born on November 14, 1907, in Boise, Idaho. His father was not a member of the Church and when Howard wanted to be baptized at eight his father (Read more).
Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) was the 15th president of the Mormon Church. President Hinckley travelled widely—more than any other LDS prophet. He was extremely well-educated and kept current on world events, meeting with many world leaders. President Hinckley used mass communication to put forth the message of the Church, even appearing on television talk shows. President Hinckley began the program of building more, smaller temples, so that LDS members worldwide could have access to the blessings of temple attendance and covenants. (Read more…)
Thomas S. Monson (1927- )