Library
Oldest President
August 1972


“Oldest President,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, 45

Oldest President

It may not be too widely known that President Smith was the oldest servant of the Lord called to be President of the Church. He was sustained President when he was 93 years old. Lorenzo Snow was the next oldest—84, and Wilford Woodruff next, at 82. President David O. McKay was the oldest to occupy the presidency; he served some four months beyond his ninety-sixth birthday. President Smith died just seventeen days short of his ninety-sixth birthday. In terms of the length of tenure, President Smith served the shortest period as President—a few days less than thirty months. Lorenzo Snow’s tenure was about thirty-seven months. Next in shortest tenure are John Taylor and George Albert Smith, both of whom served about six years.