My predictive abilities were better this past week as I had thought the Prophet would prove to be more influential than the Apostle (shocking, I know).
But, on to this week’s match-up:
Which is the more important, little-known, latter-day prophet:
President George Albert Smith or President Howard W. Hunter?
G. A. Smith: I think he was an eagle scout.
H. W. Hunter: May have also been an eagle scout.
In addition to voting in the poll on the right, please impress me, your friends, and your relatives by relating whatever you might happen to know (without having looked it up on the internet) about these two great men. You’ll note that I have the eagle angle locked up.
I picked George Albert Smith. Random facts I thought of: He presided over the church during an important transition period following the war. He was the first church president who was not a polygamist. He was the only church president who was unmarried while in office. It was said by J. Reuben Clark and others that his daughter Emily had major influence on him during his presidency. He suffered from poor health (nerves), and Clark tried to unburden him as much as possible. He called Spencer W. Kimball to minister to the Lamanites. He was the final church president to sport a beard. Under his watch missionary work was begun again, aid was sent to Europe, church units around the world were revived, and the church reached 1 million members. He was acquainted with a number of U.S. presidents and he made the cover of Time magazine during his presidency.George Albert Smith had major family connections when he entered the LDS hierarchy. His father was John Henry Smith, who served in the Twelve and in the First Presidency. His grandfather, George A. Smith, also served in the FP. His great-grandfather, John Smith, served as church patriarch. His great-granduncle was Joseph Smith Sr. He married a granddaughter of Wilford Woodruff. Howard W. Hunter’s father was a non-member until after Howard graduated from high school and did not allow Howard to be baptized at age 8. He grew up in Boise. He was a professional musician and headed a band which played on a cruise ship to the Orient following graduation from high school. He did not serve a mission. He was the first church president born in the twentieth century. He was an attorney and a stake president in California before being called to the Twelve. He headed up the difficult negotiations involved in the building of the BYU Jerusalem Center. He suffered from poor health during his presidency, and Presidents Hinckley and Monson carried much of the load. He called upon church members to make the temple the symbol of their membership and to be more Christ-like. Posted by Justin
People, don’t let Justin intimidate you. He’s clearly a special case . Posted by John C.
Also, blogpoll is clearly having issues at the moment. Post votes in the comments for the time being.
Blogpoll is back up. Vote away. Posted by John C.
I’m having terrible flashbacks to age ten. I heard something about being a “special case” when, during youth summer basketball camp, I was put into the remedial “league” with nine other kids (the other 80 kids remained in the regular “league”). Posted by Justin
George Albert Smith brought the Third Convention schism back into the Church and met with the president of Mexico. I think these events stand as major markers in the history of the Church in the country where it has its second greatest presence. Also, John W. Taylor cursed him with the priesthood when Smith characterized Taylor’s post-manifesto polygamy as adultery. Taylor claimed this was the cause of Smith’s breakdown that he moved to Santa Monica to recover from.In his last couple of years, Hunter gave talks on discipleship of Christ that I find incredibly pure and moving whenever I return to them. Following his leadership, my wife motivated a woman she visit taught to prepare for and receive the endowment; there is a concrete bit of influence.In personal importance, Hunter is more major for me. Posted by John Mansfield
Smith – Goatee wins, hands down. Posted by J. Stapley
Here is George Albert Smith on the cover of Time:George Albert SmithYes, the goatee wins.
That think is Sweet!! Posted by J. Stapley
…er thing