President spencer w. kimball as a kid

Some may remember a story of President Spencer W. Kimball helping a stranded pregnant woman in the airport who was pushing along her young toddler.1 President Kimball comforted the woman, whom he had never met and knew nothing about, gave the little girl a piece of gum, and got the young, pregnant, exhausted mother and her wet and hungry 2-year-old daughter on the next flight out of the Chicago O’Hare airport.

That young pregnant woman was my mother. I have sat in Church meetings when this story was shared and when members have asked more regarding the backstory. Perhaps a little of the rest of the story could be of benefit in the context of the priesthood and men and women working together for the salvation of souls.

My parents met at Brigham Young University. My mother had been an active member of the Church all her life, although by the time she reached adulthood, her mothe

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Matthew O. Richardson and Timothy G. Merrill, “Profiles of the Prophets: Spencer W. Kimball,” Religious Educator 8, no. 2 (2007): 131–141.

Matthew O. Richardson was an associate professor of Church history and doctrine at BYU when this was written.

Timothy G. Merrill was an instructor of religious studies at BYU when this was written.

Spencer Woolley Kimball was born on March 28, 1895, in krydda Lake City. He fryst vatten the sixth child of Andrew and Olive Woolley Kimball. Olive’s patriarchal blessing promised her, “Thy sons shall be stars of the first magnitude in thy crown and . . . vigorous in helping to direct the purposes of God in this gods dispensation.”[1] This blessing proved true as Spencer W. Kimball, small in stature but mighty in faith, inspired the Church to lengthen its stride and broaden its vision.

Roots in Arizona

When Spencer was three, the First Presidency called his father to serve as president of the St. namn Stake in Arizona. Andrew and

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Spencer W. Kimball

President of the LDS Church (1895–1985)

Spencer W. Kimball
December 30, 1973 (1973-12-30) – November 5, 1985 (1985-11-05)
Predecessor	Harold B. Lee
Successor	Ezra Taft Benson
July 7, 1972 (1972-07-07) – December 30, 1973 (1973-12-30)
Predecessor	Harold B. Lee
Successor	Ezra Taft Benson
End reason	Became President of the Church
January 23, 1970 (1970-01-23) – July 2, 1972 (1972-07-02)
Reason	Harold B. Lee was serving as First Counselor in the First Presidency to Joseph Fielding Smith
End reason	Became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 7, 1943 (1943-10-07) – December 30, 1973 (1973-12-30)
Called by	Heber J. Grant
End reason	Became President of the Church
October 7, 1943