Lee, Harold B., 1899-1973
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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Alumni Association records
Contains information and addresses about Founder's Day at Brigham Young University. Also includes two addresses by Harold B. Lee and Karl Maeser.
Charles A. Callis photographs
Contains copy prints, with corresponding negatives, of photographs taken by Callis and one original collodion POP carte-de-visite taken by Abernathy, 29 High Street, Belfast, Ireland. Subjects include the Callis family, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Southern States Mission. Dated approximately 1890-1949.
L. Brent Goates collection of Harold B. Lee papers
Harold B. Lee letter
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.
Harold B. Lee letter to Sherman D. Brown
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.
Harold B. Lee letters
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.
Photographs of Harold B. Lee
Collection includes ten photographs of Harold B. Lee taken between the 1900s and the 1970s.
Vicki Nielson account
Photocopy of a typed account by Vicki Nielson of a visit to England by the Mormon prophet Harold B. Lee talking to Mormon missionaries and the English people.
Photographs of university trustees
Contains thirty-nine black-and-white photographs of presidents of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young Academy and University; also views of chairmen of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of BYU. Also includes view of Karl G. Maeser's wife, Anna.
James M. Priest reminiscences
Contains a photograph of James with Harold B. Lee and a spiral bound copy of his book of reminiscences.