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Spencer W. Kimball: Resolute Disciple Prophet of God (F. Gibbons)

Francis M. Gibbons

Deseret Book Company
Salt Lake City, Utah

© 1995 Francis M. Gibbons
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company, P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130. This work is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church or of Deseret Book Company.

Deseret Book is a registered trademark of Deseret Book Company.

About This Book

With mottoes like "Lengthen your stride" and "Do it," President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, demonstrated a legendary capacity for hard work and an equally well-known ability to love and serve people of all races and nationalities. In this biography, author Francis Gibbons calls upon firsthand observations from his years of service as secretary to the First Presidency to paint a detailed and fascinating portrait of President Kimball.

The author discusses President Kimball's many illnesses and surgeries, including open-heart surgery and operations for throat cancer, and helps us appreciate the courage of this diligent Church leader who "often endured severe pain and discomfort as he worked," yet "only occasionally . . . [would] part the curtain to reveal his suffering." Also included are stories of President Kimball's ministrations to people around the world, including the Lamanite people, whom he loved and served. In dozens of little-known incidents and anecdotes, the author describes President Kimball's energy, personality, spirituality, and self-effacing sense of humor.

President Kimball is well known for his assertion that every worthy young man should serve a mission and his urging that the missionary force be multiplied throughout the earth. But he is perhaps best known for his inspired announcement in 1978 extending the priesthood to all worthy male members of the Church. This book, an essential companion volume to the popular 1977 biography, tells of that joyous event in the history of the Church and discusses the many incidents, from Spencer's childhood in Thatcher, Arizona, to his last days in mortality, that helped build this resolute disciple of the Lord.