Anthon H. Lund
Encyclopedia
Anthon Henrik Lund was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a prominent Utah
leader.
to unmarried parents and raised by his maternal grandmother until his emigration to the United States
in 1862. Lund's mother died when he was less than four years old. At that time his father was serving in the war over Schleswig-Holstein
. Lund was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 12, he soon assisted the missionaries fulfilling his duties as both a teacher and then a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood in declaring the word of God. In 1862 Lund went with his grandmother to the United States. He arrived in Utah
in September and settled in Sanpete County, following the tradition of many Scandinavian immigrants.
In 1864 Lund was a teamster in a Down and Back company. The next winter he served as a school teacher. In 1865 he responded to Brigham Young
's request that men come to Salt Lake City and learn to be telegraph operators. In 1866 he became the telegraph operator for the Mount Pleasant, Utah
station. where he was ordained a Seventy by Peter Madsen Peel
.
From 1884 to 1885 Lund served as president of the Scandinavia
n Mission
of the church.
Lund served in the Utah Territorial Legislature. He is credited for starting Utah State University
because he introduced the legislation to start it. Lund served on the Utah Capitol Grounds Committee when it was formed in 1888.
He was ordained October 7, 1889 to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after the death of Church President John Taylor
, who died two years earlier. He was ordained along with two other apostles: Marriner W. Merrill
and Abraham H. Cannon
.
At the time of his call Lund was the only monogamist in the quorum of the twelve. His only wife was Sarah Ann Peterson who he had married in 1870. In 1891 Lund was made the president of the Manti Temple.
From 1893 until 1896 Lund was the president of the European Mission. He then made a journey to the Ottoman Empire
in 1897 where he organized the Turkish Mission and looked into a local gathering place for the primarily Armenian church members in that mission.
In 1899 Lund laid and dedicated the southeast cornerstone of the Sanpete Stake Academy (now Snow College
). That same year Lund gave a General Conference
talk in which he emphasized it was no longer Church policy to encourage members to emigrate to the western United States.
In 1900 Lund was made the superintendent of Church religion classes.
President Joseph F. Smith
, selected Lund as second counselor in the Mormon First Presidency
on October 17, 1901. There he served until April 7, 1910, when Smith called him as first counselor to replace John R. Winder
, who died in March, 1910. Lund assumed a myriad of duties, including heading various church agencies and again serving as a temple president. Lund also served as a member of several writing committees to revise scripture and publications. Lund also participated in numerous businesses in Utah such as the Hotel Utah, the Amalgamated Sugar Company
(1914-1920), and ZCMI.
While Anthon H. Lund was in the First Presidency they sent out a letter encouraging the practice of Family Night
.
During this time Lund also fulfilled civic roles. He replaced John Henry Smith
on Smith's death as a member of the Utah Capitol Commission.
After the death of Joseph F. Smith, President Heber J. Grant
called Lund again as first counselor on November 23, 1918. Lund also assumed the position of President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
as he was second-most in seniority.
Lund served as Church Historian from 1900-1921. While in this office he supervised the movement of the office and its materials to the new Church Administration Building in 1917.
Lund served as president of the Genealogical Society of Utah
and as the first editor of the Utah Historical and Genealogical Magazine. From 1911-1921 Lund served as president
of the Salt Lake Temple
.
Anthon H. Lund died March 2, 1921 from a duodenal ulcer, an ailment which plagued him for many years. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery
. John A. Widtsoe
was called to the Quorum of the Twelve after his death.
's mathematics hall is named for Lund.
Lund, Nevada
is named for Lund.
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a prominent Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
leader.
History
Lund was born in Aalborg, DenmarkDenmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
to unmarried parents and raised by his maternal grandmother until his emigration to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1862. Lund's mother died when he was less than four years old. At that time his father was serving in the war over Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
. Lund was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 12, he soon assisted the missionaries fulfilling his duties as both a teacher and then a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood in declaring the word of God. In 1862 Lund went with his grandmother to the United States. He arrived in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
in September and settled in Sanpete County, following the tradition of many Scandinavian immigrants.
In 1864 Lund was a teamster in a Down and Back company. The next winter he served as a school teacher. In 1865 he responded to Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young was an American leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and a settler of the Western United States. He was the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, he founded Salt Lake City, and he served as the first governor of the Utah...
's request that men come to Salt Lake City and learn to be telegraph operators. In 1866 he became the telegraph operator for the Mount Pleasant, Utah
Mount Pleasant, Utah
Mount Pleasant is a city in Sanpete County, Utah, in the United States. Mt. Pleasant is known for its 19th-century main street buildings, for being home to Wasatch Academy, and for being the largest city in the northern half of the county...
station. where he was ordained a Seventy by Peter Madsen Peel
Peter Madsen Peel
Peter Madsen Peel was a founder, first blacksmith, and civic leader of Mount Pleasant, Utah. A replica of his blacksmith shop is located next to the Relic Hall in Mt. Pleasant, including a working forge....
.
From 1884 to 1885 Lund served as president of the Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n Mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
of the church.
Lund served in the Utah Territorial Legislature. He is credited for starting Utah State University
Utah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
because he introduced the legislation to start it. Lund served on the Utah Capitol Grounds Committee when it was formed in 1888.
He was ordained October 7, 1889 to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after the death of Church President John Taylor
John Taylor (1808-1887)
John Taylor was the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1880 to 1887. He is the only president of the LDS Church to have been born outside of the United States....
, who died two years earlier. He was ordained along with two other apostles: Marriner W. Merrill
Marriner W. Merrill
Marriner Wood Merrill born in Sackville, New Brunswick, was a pioneering settler of Cache Valley and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
and Abraham H. Cannon
Abraham H. Cannon
Abraham Hoagland Cannon , born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
.
At the time of his call Lund was the only monogamist in the quorum of the twelve. His only wife was Sarah Ann Peterson who he had married in 1870. In 1891 Lund was made the president of the Manti Temple.
From 1893 until 1896 Lund was the president of the European Mission. He then made a journey to the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
in 1897 where he organized the Turkish Mission and looked into a local gathering place for the primarily Armenian church members in that mission.
In 1899 Lund laid and dedicated the southeast cornerstone of the Sanpete Stake Academy (now Snow College
Snow College
Snow College is a rural, two-year state college located in Ephraim, Utah, U.S. It offers certificates and associate degrees in a number of areas...
). That same year Lund gave a General Conference
General Conference
In the United Nations system of specialized agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency or UNESCO, General Conferences are the recurring meetings of Member States. General Conference sessions are usually held yearly or biennially at the headquarters of the Agency...
talk in which he emphasized it was no longer Church policy to encourage members to emigrate to the western United States.
In 1900 Lund was made the superintendent of Church religion classes.
President Joseph F. Smith
Joseph F. Smith
Joseph Fielding Smith, Sr. was the sixth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
, selected Lund as second counselor in the Mormon First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
on October 17, 1901. There he served until April 7, 1910, when Smith called him as first counselor to replace John R. Winder
John R. Winder
John Rex Winder was a leader and general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric from 1887 to 1901, and First Counselor in the First Presidency to Church President Joseph F. Smith from 1901 until his death. He was well-known...
, who died in March, 1910. Lund assumed a myriad of duties, including heading various church agencies and again serving as a temple president. Lund also served as a member of several writing committees to revise scripture and publications. Lund also participated in numerous businesses in Utah such as the Hotel Utah, the Amalgamated Sugar Company
Amalgamated Sugar Company
The Amalgamated Sugar Company is a sugar beet refining company run on a cooperative basis. It was founded in 1897 in Logan, Utah, and is now located in Nampa, Idaho, United States. The company markets its sugar under the White Satin brand.-Founding:...
(1914-1920), and ZCMI.
While Anthon H. Lund was in the First Presidency they sent out a letter encouraging the practice of Family Night
Family Home Evening
Family Home Evening or Family Night, in the context of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, refers to one evening per week, usually Monday, that families are encouraged to spend together in study, prayer and other wholesome activities...
.
During this time Lund also fulfilled civic roles. He replaced John Henry Smith
John Henry Smith
John Henry Smith was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
on Smith's death as a member of the Utah Capitol Commission.
After the death of Joseph F. Smith, President Heber J. Grant
Heber J. Grant
Heber Jeddy Grant was the seventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was ordained an apostle on October 16, 1882, on the same day as George Teasdale...
called Lund again as first counselor on November 23, 1918. Lund also assumed the position of President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In general, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is the most senior Apostle in the church, aside from the President of the Church...
as he was second-most in seniority.
Lund served as Church Historian from 1900-1921. While in this office he supervised the movement of the office and its materials to the new Church Administration Building in 1917.
Lund served as president of the Genealogical Society of Utah
Genealogical Society of Utah
The Genealogical Society of Utah , established in 1894, does business as FamilySearch International, which is the genealogical arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
and as the first editor of the Utah Historical and Genealogical Magazine. From 1911-1921 Lund served as president
Temple President
Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of an LDS temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity....
of the Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
.
Anthon H. Lund died March 2, 1921 from a duodenal ulcer, an ailment which plagued him for many years. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery
Salt Lake City Cemetery
thumb|The northern section of the cemetery at night, looking towards Salt Lake CityThe Salt Lake City Cemetery is in The Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. Approximately 120,000 persons are buried in the cemetery. Many religious leaders and politicians, particularly many leaders of The...
. John A. Widtsoe
John A. Widtsoe
John Andreas Widtsoe was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1921 until his death. Widtsoe was also a noted author, scientist, and academician.-Early life:...
was called to the Quorum of the Twelve after his death.
Remembrance
Utah State UniversityUtah State University
Utah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities....
's mathematics hall is named for Lund.
Lund, Nevada
Lund, Nevada
Lund is a small town and census-designated place in White Pine County, Nevada. Lund was named for Anthon H. Lund. Lund was settled in 1898. It was settled on land that the United States government had given The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in lieu of land that had been confiscated...
is named for Lund.
See also
- Good Neighbor policy (LDS Church)Good Neighbor policy (LDS Church)The "Good Neighbor" policy is a collective term used to describe a variety of reforms adopted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1927...