Biographical History

Walace Felt Toronto (1907-1968) was a pioneering mission leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among the Slavic people.

Wallace Felt Toronto was born on December 9, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to parents Albert and Minnie Ether Toronto. In 1929 he joined the first elders transferred to open the Czechoslovak Mission under Arthur Gaeth. When released, Wallace studied at the University of Utah and soon married Martha Sharp.

In 1936 he was called to preside over the Czech Mission. New cities were opened, and conversions continued. The Nazi occupation of Czech lands in 1938 and 1939 led to the evacuation of all missionaries. During the war, Wallace became the director of the Utah Red Cross.

In 1946 Wallace and his family returned to Prague. With a larger missionary force, the Church expanded even after the February 1948 Communist coup. But by 1950 the missionaries were expelled, and the registration of the Church was cancelled.

At home in Utah, Wallace taught seminary, served the Young Men's MIA board, and became executive secretary of the Utah Cancer Society. Through cryptic letters, he kept in touch with the Saints in Czechoslovakia. In 1964 President McKay assigned the Torontos to visit the Czech Saints as tourists. In 1965 he was asked to return alone to meet with the ministry officials. He did so, but only after he was arrested following his interview on television during the huge national sports festival. His request for Church recognition was rejected, and he was deported at the German border.

Wallace Toronto remained president of the Czech Mission until his death from cancer on January 10, 1968 in Salt Lake City.

Citation:

FamilySearch.org, via WWW, July 25, 2014 (Wallace Felt Toronto was born on December 9, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to parents Albert and Minnie Ether Toronto; died on January 10, 1968 in Salt Lake City).

TorontoFoundation.org, via WWW, July 25, 2014 (Walace Felt Toronto was a pioneering missionary leader from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among the Slavic people; born on December 9, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah; he joined the first elders transferred to open the Czechoslovak Mission under Arthur Gaeth; studied at the University of Utah and soon married Martha Sharp; called to preside over the Czech Mission; Nazi occupation of Czech lands in 1938 and 1939 led to the evacuation of all missionaries; during the war, Wallace became the director of the Utah Red Cross; in 1946 Wallace and his family returned to Prague; the Church expanded even after the February 1948 Communist coup; by 1950 the missionaries were expelled, and the registration of the Church was cancelled; in Utah, Wallace taught seminary, served the Young Men’s MIA board, and became executive secretary of the Utah Cancer Society; through letters, he kept in touch with the Saints in Czechoslovakia; President McKay assigned the Torontos to visit the Czech Saints as tourists; asked to return alone to meet with the ministry officials; his request for Church recognition was rejected, and he was deported at the German border; remained president of the Czech Mission until his death from cancer on January 10, 1968 in Salt Lake City).

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