Henry A. Smith life history, 1980-2002

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 8567 Series 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Contains an unfinished autobiography manuscript of Smith along with a comprehensive life history assembled by his daughters. Dated 1980-2002.

Dates

Creation: 1980-2002

Creator

Smith, Henry A. (Henry Allen), 1907-1984 (creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Photographs: Open for public research. Items kept in cold storage; access requires 24 hours advance notice.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Henry A. Smith papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

From the Collection:

Henry A. Smith (1907-1984) was the a newspaper editor and press secretary in Utah.

Henry A. Smith was born May 10, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to parents William Henry and Mary Chrlotte Jenkins Smith. He started working at the Deseret News in 1925 as a copy boy, eventually working his way up to the position of church reporter. He married Anne Lovell Wager on June 30, 1926. In 1931, he was named the editor of a new section of the Deseret News, the Church News. Though he initially was the only staff member for the publication, it grew under his leadership until it reached approximately 200,000 homes. He also authored two books: Matthew Cowley: Man of Faith and The Day They Martyred the Prophet. In 1968, the First Presidency appointed him press secretary of the church. He graveled extensively with general authorities and became an important confidant for them. Henry died on June 24, 1984 in Salt Lake City.

Henry participated in a lifetime of church service, serving as stake president in the Pioneer Stake. From 1955 to 1958 he served as the mission president for the Central Atlantic States mission.