Historical Summary

This book is not a history, but rather a compilation of gospel principles as taught by President Heber J. Grant. The following chronology provides a brief historical framework for these teachings. It omits significant events in secular history, such as wars and worldwide economic crises. It also omits many important events in President Grant’s personal life, such as his marriages and the births and deaths of his children.

1856, November 22	Heber Jeddy Grant is born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Rachel Ridgeway Ivins Grant and Jedediah Morgan Grant. Heber’s father, who served as Second Counselor to President Brigham Young, dies nine days later.
1875, June 10	Accepts a call to serve in the presidency of the Salt Lake City 13th Ward Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.
1880, April 6	Begins service as the secretary to the general presidency of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.
1880, October 30	Begins service as stake president in Tooele, Utah.
1882, October 16	Ordained an Apostle by President George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency.
1883–84	Visits communities of Native Americans, working with other Church leaders to call and set apart priesthood holders to labor there.
1897	Serves as a member of the general presidency of the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association and as business manager for the Church magazine titled the Improvement Era.
1901, August 12– 1903, September 8	Organizes and presides over the first mission in Japan.
1904, January 1– 1906, December 5	Presides over the British and European missions.
1916, November 23	Set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
1918, November 23	Set apart as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1919, November 27	Dedicates the temple at Laie, Hawaii.
1920	Leads observance of the 100th anniversary of the First Vision.
1923, August 26	Dedicates the temple at Cardston, Alberta.
1924, October 3–5	Presides over the first general conference to be broadcast by radio.
1926	Under the direction of the First Presidency, the Church initiates the institute of religion program.
1927, October 23	Dedicates the temple at Mesa, Arizona.
1930, April 6	Presides over the observance of the 100th anniversary of the Church’s organization.
1936	The First Presidency establishes the Church Security Plan, now called the Church welfare program.
1940, February	Suffers a stroke.
1942, April 6	Delivers a general conference address for the last time. For the next three years, all his conference talks are read by others.
1945, May 14	Dies in Salt Lake City, Utah.