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

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1907 - 1984

Biographical History

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.

Citation:
Henry A. Smith papers, approximately 1910-2002 (Henry Allen Smith; b. May 10, 1907; Salt Lake City, Utah; parents William Henry and Mary Charlotte Jenkins Smith; started working at the Deseret News, 1925; copy boy; church reporter; married Anne Lovell Wager, June 30, 1926; Church News editor in 1931; initially was the only staff member; it eventually reached approximately 200,000 homes; authored two books; Matthew Cowley: Man of Faith; The Day They Martyred the Prophet; press secretary of the church in 1968; traveled extensively; close to general authorities; d. June 24, 1984; Salt Lake City; stake president in Pioneer Stake; mission president for the Central Atlantic States mission from 1955-1958)

Wikipedia, via WWW, Oct. 9, 2014 (Henry A. Smith; editor of Church News, 1931-1968; previously Deseret News' church editor; 1968, called to be the press secretary to the First Presidency)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Henry A. Smith papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8567
Content Description

Contains papers, photographs, and correspondence related to the life and career of Smith. Dated approximately 1910-2002.

Dates: approximately 1910-2002
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Henry A. Smith papers

Filtered By

  • Subject: Press releases X

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