George Albert Smith Mormonism
George Albert Smith (1870-1951) was the 8th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1945-1951).
Summary |
Service in the Church
Apostle
George Albert Smith was named after his paternal grandfather, George A. Smith, cousin of the Prophet Joseph Smith and adviser to President Brigham Young. John Henry Smith, father of George Albert, was a member of the First Presidency under Joseph F. Smith. At the age of thirty-three years, George Albert Smith was called to the Quorum of the Twelve. From 1903 to 1910, John Henry and George Albert were all at the College of the Twelve, and this was the only time a father and son were all members of the College. George Albert Smith spent 42 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Caring for Europe
Efforts were organized to relieve the saints Europeans who found themselves in distress after the war. Members of the Church in the United States were invited to provide clothing and other necessities.
Interview with Harry S. Truman
Smith met President Harry S. Truman , President of the United States to receive approval in Europe to send food, clothing and bedding together. Chairman Smith described the meeting as follows:
President Truman said, "Why the hell would you send it there? Their money is worthless. "
I say: "We do not want their money. "
He looked at me and asked: "You do not mean that you will give it to them? "
I say: "Sure we'll give it to them. They are our brothers and sisters in distress. God gave us a blessing of the surplus, and we will be happy to send if we have the cooperation of the government. "
He said: "You're on the right track, and added: We will be happy to help wherever possible. You need how long to make this loan? "
I replied: "Everything is ready. "
The government had destroyed the food and refused to plant grain during the war, so I told him: "Mr. Speaker, while the administration in Washington advised the destruction of food, we have built silos, we have filled with grain and we expanded our herd. What we need now is for cars and boats to send large amounts of food, clothing and bedding to the European peoples who are in distress. We have a church organization that has been done in homes over two thousand blankets. "(George A. Smith, CR, October 1947 p. 5-6)
Preparations
While the donations were sorted and packaged for shipment to Utah overseas, President Smith went to inspect the preparations. He burst into tears when he saw the large amount of products that were offered. After a few minutes he took off his new overcoat and said, "Send him too. "Several people, who stood beside him, told him he needed his overcoat on a cold winter day, but he insisted that he be sent.
Caring for Germany
Ezra Taft Benson , Council of the Twelve, was ordered to reopen the missions in Europe, to ensure the distribution of mutual and spiritual needs of the saints. One of his very first visits was to a conference of Saints in Karlsruhe German city on the Rhine. He says of this experience:
"We finally found the venue, partially bombed a building located within one block of buildings. The saints were meeting for about two hours, waiting for us, hoping we would come because they heard that we might be there for the conference. And then, for the first time in my life, I live almost an entire audience in tears as we went up the stage, and they realized that finally, after six or seven long years, the representatives of Zion, like those people we called, were finally came with them ... Contemplating the face thin and pale rose to me that these saints, many of whom were dressed in rags, and some of them barefoot, I could see the light of faith in their eyes as they bore witness to the divinity of great work recently and expressed their gratitude for the blessings of the Lord. "
One of the many responsibilities of Ezra Taft Benson was overseeing the distribution hundred and twenty-seven cars of railroad food, clothing, bedding and medicines throughout Europe. Years later, when Thomas S. Monson dedicated a church in Zwickau (Germany), a brother -old came forward and asked them to recall to the good memories of President Benson. He said: "Tell him he saved my life and that of many of my brothers and sisters in my native country, with food and clothes he has brought to us by members of the Church of America. "
Saints Dutch also had the opportunity to serve the hungry Saints of Germany. They had suffered greatly during the war and had been helped by the support coming from members of the Church of the United States. In spring 1947, we asked them to organize their own self-help projects, which they did enthusiastically. They planted mainly potatoes and hoping for a large harvest.
During that time, Walter Stover, president of the mission of East Germany, went to Holland, and spoke of hunger and desolation experienced by members of the Church of Germany. Zappey Cornelius, president of the Dutch mission, asked its members if they were willing to provide their potatoes to the Germans, who were their enemies during the war. The members agreed and began to look with interest increased their potato crops grow. Harvest exceeded all expectations, and the saints Dutch could send sixty-five tons of potatoes to their brothers and sisters in Germany. A year later, the Saints sent Dutch ninety tons of potatoes and nine tonnes of herring to the saints of Germany.
Progression of the Church
During the ministry of George Albert Smith, who lasted from 1945 to 1951, the number of Church members reached a million, the temple of Idaho Falls (Idaho) was consecrated and missionary work resumed after the Second World War increasing the number of missionaries from 386 in 1945 to over 5800 in 1951.
Civilian Life
Civil Liabilities
- Treasurer's office cadastre for the State of Utah
- Chairman of the boards of several companies
- President of National Congress
Blindness
George Albert Smith had his eyes burned by the sun while he was surveying for the railroad in southern Utah and despite surgery, he remained almost blind. Requirements and the increasing pressure of his work weakened, and in 1909 he suffered from exhaustion. The doctor imposed a total rest that had an adverse effect on his confidence and aroused feelings of inadequacy which aggravated the tension. During this difficult period, George had a dream which he describes as follows: "I saw a beautiful forest near a large lake. After some walking in the forest, I saw a man coming toward me that I recognized: it was George A. Smith, my grandfather. As they approached, my grandfather stopped and said: I know what you've done to my name. My whole life flashed through my mind and I said, I did nothing in your name that you had to be ashamed. This dream gave again the courage and energy to George and he was soon able to resume work. Later, he often described the experience as the turning point of his life.
Citation
"I can tell you, my brothers and sisters, that the happiest people in this world are those who love their neighbor as themselves and show their appreciation for the blessings that God gives them the action they have in life. "
Publications
- (In) Smith, George Albert, Sayings Of A Saint, Alice K. Chase, 1951
- (En) - Sharing the Gospel With Others: Excerpts From The Sermons of President Smith, Deseret News Press, 1948
- (In) - The Teachings of George Albert Smith, Eighth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bookcraft, Inc.. 1996
Bibliography
- Our Heritage, George A. Smith
- The Presidents of the Church
See also
Internal Links
External Links
| Preceded by | George Albert Smith | Followed by | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heber J. Grant |
| David O. McKay |
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