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Lee, Harold B., 1899-1973

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1899 - 1973

Biographical History

Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) was the eleventh president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Harold Bingham Lee was born in Clifton, Idaho on March 28, 1899 to parents Samuel Marion and Louisa Emily Bingham Lee. He grew up in Idaho, attending Oneida Stake Academy until he was 17. After graduating from the academy, he taught school for four years until he was called to serve a mission in the western United States. After his mission, he was hired as the principal of the Granite School District in 1923. He was appointed a member of the Salt Lake City Commission in December 1932. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints called him to organize the Church Security Welfare Program in 1935. He was called as an apostle in 1941, and served in that position until 1972 when he was called to be the president of the church. He died on December 26, 1973 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He married Fern L. Tanner on November 14, 1923. Together they had two children. After her death in 1962, he married Freda Joan Jensen on June 17, 1963.

Citation:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, via WWW, January 22, 2015 (Harold B. Lee: Eleventh President of the Church; b. Mar. 28, 1899 in Clifton, ID; parents Samuel Marion and Louisa Emily Bingham Lee; attended Oneida Stake Academy; taught school for four years; called to serve mission in western US; principal of Granite School District in 1923; appointed member of Salt Lake City Commission in Dec. 1932; organized Church Security Welfare Program in 1935; called to be an apostle in 1941; called to be the president in 1972; d. Dec. 26, 1973; Salt Lake City; married Fern L. Tanner on Nov. 14, 1923; Tanner died in 1962; married Freda Joan Jensen on June 17, 1963)

Found in 53 Collections and/or Records:

Harold B. Lee photographs, 1945-1973

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9392 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains prints of Harold B. Lee, family members, various other individuals, and progress of the Welfare program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that was established by Harold B. Lee. Also includes negatives.

Dates: 1945-1973

Harold B. Lee portraits, 1945-1973

 Series — Box 12: Series 5; Series 6; Series 7 [Barcode: 31197239126102], Folder: 12
Identifier: MSS 9392 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains two portraits of Harold B. Lee and a published biography of his work as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Materials are dated 1945 and 1973.

Dates: 1945-1973

Harold B. Lee scrapbooks, 1893-1968

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9392 Series 2
Scope and Contents

The Harold B. Lee scrapbook series contains a missionary scrapbook, scouting scrapbook, and papers from a book of remembrance with handwritten annotations from Harold B. Lee. Materials are dated 1893 to 1968.

Dates: 1893-1968

Harold B. Lee sound recordings, 1961-1980

 Series
Identifier: MSS 9392 Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains recordings of addresses given by Harold B. Lee at conferences, funerals, and other engagements. Materials dated 1961 to 1980.

Dates: 1961-1980

Harold B. Lee talks, 1928-1973

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9392 Series 4
Scope and Contents Contains talks and addresses delivered by Harold B. Lee as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Series includes typed addresses, including the story of messengers coming to the Chiapas, Mexico, area 50 years before the area was opened to missionaries, and a blessing for Sister Mary Arvilla Bingham Crandall given by Harold B. Lee; handwritten notes and addresses by Harold B. Lee on various materials; and a notepad with...
Dates: 1928-1973

Joseph Smith Memorial dedication / Hugh B. Brown, 1961 October 15

 Item — Carton 1: [Barcode: 31197231026847]
Identifier: UA 750 Item AV031

Lee, Harold B., 1970-1975

 File — Carton 20: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197233630612], Folder: 26
Identifier: UA 5395 Series 2 Sub-Series 5

Harold B. Lee letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227631899]
Identifier: MSS 4004
Scope and Contents

Letter of Harold B. Lee, Salt Lake City, to President Carl M. King and Counselors, Manitoba-Minnesota Mission, dated 7 July 1970. Written on stationary of First Presidency. Letter tells of the authorization of funds ($6,344) for the initial planning and architectural work for the building of a Mission Home building.

Dates: 1970 July 7

Harold B. Lee letter to Sherman D. Brown

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232572336]
Identifier: MSS 8661
Scope and Contents

Collection contains a letter written by Harold B. Lee to Sherman D. Brown. The letter describes an experience Harold B. Lee had on a flight to Salt Lake City. He felt hands upon his head in a manner similar to a priesthood blessing, then later experienced massive hemorrhaging. He believed that the blessing on the plane allowed him to survive until he was off the flight. Dated 1973.

Dates: 1973

Harold B. Lee letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230313386]
Identifier: MSS SC 1588
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of three letters addressed to Gil Hodges and signed by Harold B. Lee and David O. McKay, presidents of the Mormon Church. The letters concern the sealing of women to their husbands and the ligitimacy of the use of birth control.

Dates: 1969-1973