Dates

• Existence: 1855 - 1931

Biographical History

Orson F. Whitney (1855-1931) was an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a writer, poet, and editor.

Orson F. Whitney was born on July 1, 1855, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Horace K. Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball Whitney. As a young man, Whitney wanted to be an actor and he spent many hours preparing for the stage by studying elocution, fencing, and grammar. However, during General Conference in 1876, Whitney was called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mother sold her land and used the money to fund Whitney's mission. While on his mission, Whitney discovered his interest in the Gospel as well as in writing and speaking. He started a regular column of his missionary experiences in the "Salt Lake Herald" under the pen name Iago. In 1878, twenty-three-year-old Whitney was called to serve as the bishop of the Eighteenth Ward, a calling he held for 28 years. In 1906, Whitney was called to be an Apostle in the Church. He also completed three more missions for the Church, including being the president of the European Mission in 1921.

In 1879, Whitney married Zina Beal Smoot and they had nine children together. Whitney also had two more wives: Mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells. During his life, Whitney edited the "Salt Lake Herald," served on the city council, participated in the Home Dramatic Club, engaged in politics, and wrote poetry and books. In 1890, he published his first book, a biography of his grandfather Heber C. Kimball. That same year, Wildford Woodruff and John O. Williams commissioned Whitney to write "History of Utah"; he produced two volumes of the work by 1894 and the third in 1898. He also published a biography of Lorenzo Snow, an autobiography, and several books of poetry including his lengthy epic poem "Elias: An Epic of the Ages."

Whitney died on May 16, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Citation:

nuc86-87404: His The Mormon prophet's tragedy, 1905 (hdg. on CU-BANC rept.: Whitney, Orson F. (Orson Ferguson), 1855-1931; usage: Orson F. Whitney)

Wikipedia, viewed 12 January 2012 (Orson F. Whitney; Orson Ferguson Whitney; b.1 July 1855, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory; member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1906-1931; author; politician; journalist; historian; academic; began career writing for the Deseret News; editor of the Millennial Star; taught English and Theology at Brigham Young College in Logan, Utah; Assistant Church Historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; served on the Salt Lake City Council in 1880; Salt Lake City Treasurer, 1884-1890; Utah State Senator, 1898 and 1901; d. May 16, 1931 in Salt Lake City, Utah)

General Authority Pages, via WWW, 2008 (wanted to be an actor and he spent many hours preparing for the stage by studying elocution, fencing, and grammar; during General Conference in 1876, called to serve in the Eastern States Mission for The Church; His mother sold her land almost immediately after his acceptance of the call and used the money to fund Whitney's mission; discovered his interest in writing and speaking; started a regular column of his missionary experiences in the "Salt Lake Herald"; pen name Iago; 1878, twenty-three-year-old Whitney bishop of the Eighteenth Ward; held for 28 years; In 1906, called to be an apostle; three missions for the Church; president of the European Mission in 1921; married Zina Beal Smoot and they had 9 children together; two more wives: Mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells; edited the "Salt Lake Herald," served on the city council, participated in the Home Dramatic Club, engaged in politics, and wrote poetry and books; In 1890, he published his first book, a biography of his grandfather Heber C. Kimball; Church commisioned Whitney to write "History of Utah"; produced two volumes of the work by 1894 and the third in 1898; published a biography of Lorenzo Snow, an autobiography, and several books of poetry including his lengthy epic poem, "Elias, An Epic of the Ages")

Family Search, via WWW, April 18, 2014 (born on July 1, 1855, in Salt lake City, Utah, to Horace Whitney and Helen Mar Kimball; married Zina Beal Smoot and they had 9 children together. Whitney also had two more wives: mary Minerva Wells and Emma Whitney Wells; died on May 16, 1931, in Salt Lake City, Utah)

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