36500, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Historical Summary, x-xiii
This book is not a history; rather, it is a compilation of gospel principles as taught by President Spencer W. Kimball. The following chronology provides a brief historical background of his life and a framework for his teachings. It omits many significant events in both Church and secular history. It also omits many important events in President Kimball's personal life, such as the births of his children.
1895, March 28
Spencer Woolley Kimball is born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Andrew Kimball and Olive Woolley Kimball.
1898, May
Moves with his family to Thatcher, Arizona, where his father presides over the St. Joseph Stake for the next 26 years.
1906, October 18
His mother dies.
1907, June
His father marries Josephine Cluff.
1914, October
Begins service as a full-time missionary in the Central States Mission in the United States. He had been called to the Swiss-German Mission but was unable to go because of World War I.
1916, December
Released from his full-time mission. Soon after, attends the University of Arizona.
1917, November 16
Marries Camilla Eyring.
1918
Called to be stake clerk of the St. Joseph Stake. Enters the banking business as a clerk and teller.
1923
Joins the Rotary Club, a service organization in which he will participate for the next 20 years, including as a district governor.
1924, August 31
His father dies. About a week later, as part of the reorganization of the stake presidency, Spencer is called as second counselor. He is ordained a high priest by President Heber J. Grant, the seventh President of the Church.
1927
Becomes president-manager of the Kimball-Greenhalgh Realty and Insurance Company.
1938, February 20
Called as president of the Mount Graham Stake.
1943, October 7
Ordained an Apostle by President Heber J. Grant.
1948
Suffers and recovers from a severe heart ailment.
1950
Loses his voice through a serious throat ailment. His voice is restored following a priesthood blessing.
1957
Undergoes an operation for cancer of the throat; one and one-half vocal cords are removed.
1969
The Miracle of Forgiveness is published.
1970
Becomes Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
1972, April 12
Undergoes open-heart surgery.
1972, July 7
Becomes President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
1973, December 26
President Harold B. Lee dies.
1973, December 30
Becomes President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with President N. Eldon Tanner as First Counselor and President Marion G. Romney as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
1974, November 19
Dedicates the Washington D.C. Temple.
1975, October 3
Begins the reconstitution of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
1976
Oversees the addition of two revelations to the Pearl of Great Price. These revelations are later included in the Doctrine and Covenants as sections 137 and 138.
1977, August 24
Dedicates Poland for future Church work-the first visit of a President of the Church behind what was then known as the Iron Curtain.
1978, June 8
With his counselors in the First Presidency, issues a letter announcing a revelation making all the blessings of the priesthood available to all worthy members, without regard for race or color.
1978, October 30
Dedicates the São Paulo Brazil Temple.
1979
Oversees the publication of the LDS edition of the King James Bible.
1979, October 24
Dedicates the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden in Jerusalem.
1980
Oversees the establishment of the consolidated meeting schedule, which places sacrament meeting, ward priesthood meetings, Relief Society meetings, Young Women classes, Sunday School, and Primary in a three-hour block on Sunday rather than scheduled throughout the week.
1980, October 27
Dedicates the Tokyo Japan Temple.
1980, November 17
Dedicates the Seattle Washington Temple.
1981
Oversees the publication of a new edition of the triple combination, with an updated footnote system and index.
1981, July 23
Calls President Gordon B. Hinckley to serve as an additional counselor in the First Presidency.
1981 to 1985
Oversees the dedications of 17 temples.
1982, October 3
A subtitle for the Book of Mormon is announced-"Another Testament of Jesus Christ."
1982, December 2
Reorganizes the First Presidency, with President Marion G. Romney as First Counselor and President Gordon B. Hinckley as Second Counselor.
1984
Area Presidencies are established.
1985, November 5
Dies in Salt Lake City, Utah.