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Spencer W. Kimball and His Administration
Because of Elder Spencer W. Kimball's former battles with health problems, some Latter-day Saints conjectured that his administration would be even shorter than the previous two, and that it would bring little in the way of new developments or progress. Those who entertained such ideas were in for a great surprise. Few periods in Church history have witnessed more significant developments than has the administration of President Spencer W. Kimball.
Earlier Life
Although he was born in Salt Lake City, Spencer W. Kimball spent his formative years in the Gila Valley of southeastern Arizona. His life was not easy, but it was full of character-building experiences. Elder Boyd K. Packer wrote:
The Lord... was not just preparing a businessman, nor a civic leader, nor a speaker, nor a poet, nor a musician, nor a teacher-though he would be all of these. He was preparing a father, a patriarch for his family, an apostle and prophet, and a president for His church. There were testings along the way-examinations in courage and patience, that few would have passed. 1
These trials included suffering a facial paralysis for several months as a boy, and losing his mother when he was only eleven years old.
Following his return from the Central States Mission, Spencer married Camilla Eyring, who was teaching school in the area. He soon became a community leader as he entered banking, real estate, and related enterprises. Church responsibilities also came to him early. These he accepted willingly, and through them he enriched the lives of many. When he was only twenty-three years of age, his father, Andrew Kimball, who was president of the St. Joseph Stake, called Spencer to be the stake clerk. At that time, this position was very demanding, because stake clerks were required to handle many financial and reporting matters later taken over by the Presiding Bishopric. A few years later Andrew Kimball died, and the new stake president called Spencer to be one of his counselors. Spencer later recalled: