Joseph Fielding Smith
Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. was an American religious leader and writer who served as the tenth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1970 until his death in 1972. He was the son of former church president Joseph F. Smith and the great-nephew of church founder Joseph Smith.
Smith was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1910, when his father was the church's president. When Smith became president of the church, he was 93 years and 6 months old; he began his presidential term at an older age than any other president in church history. Smith's tenure as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1951 to 1970 is the third-longest in church history; he served in that capacity during the entire presidency of David O. McKay.
Smith spent some of his years as an apostle as the Church Historian and Recorder. He was a religious scholar and a prolific writer. Many of his works are used as references for church members.
Smith was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1910, when his father was the church's president. When Smith became president of the church, he was 93 years and 6 months old; he began his presidential term at an older age than any other president in church history. Smith's tenure as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1951 to 1970 is the third-longest in church history; he served in that capacity during the entire presidency of David O. McKay.
Smith spent some of his years as an apostle as the Church Historian and Recorder. He was a religious scholar and a prolific writer. Many of his works are used as references for church members.