Howard W. Hunter
Encyclopedia
Howard William Hunter was the fourteenth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1994 to 1995. His nine month presidential tenure is the shortest in the history of the Church. Hunter was the first president of the LDS Church born in the 20th century.
He was sustained as an apostle
at the age of 51, and served a little over 35 years as a general authority
for the church.
, Idaho
. His father was not a Latter-day Saint (he joined the church in 1927) and would not let him be baptized until he was 12; Hunter was not ordained to the Aaronic priesthood until he was 15. He was the second person to become an Eagle Scout
in the state of Idaho.
In March 1923 the Boise Ward where Hunter had been a member since baptism was split, and he ended up in the new Boise 2nd Ward. It initially met in a Jewish Synagogue that was provided free of charge. When a short time later calls were issued to build the Boise LDS Tabernacle, Hunter was the first to pledge money for the building, offering $25.
Hunter had a love for music and played the piano
, violin
, drums
, saxophone
, clarinet
, and trumpet
. He formed a band called Hunter's Croonaders, which played at many regional events and even for a cruise ship to the orient.
and Twin Falls
but completely failed in Pocatello, Idaho
. After this failure Hunter moved to southern California.
In California Hunter initially worked in a citrus factory and in shoe sales. After a few weeks he secured a job at a Bank of Italy
branch on April 23, 1928. Hunter studied at the American Institute of Banking while working for the Bank of Italy.
In June 1928 Hunter met Clara May "Claire" Jeffs, a lady from Salt Lake City who had moved with her family to Los Angeles in 1926. They dated some over the next year, but not exclusively with each other at this point Besides working in banking Hunter was still playing the saxophone for dances on a regular basis. By the summer of 1929 Howard and Claire were dating steady. However Howard was contemplating serving a mission so they held off on marriage. However, he eventually decided to get married instead. Howard and Claire were married in the Salt Lake Temple
on June 10, 1931.
In November 1930 Howard was involved in booking for the merger of the Bank of Italy with the Bank of America of California to form the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association. Shortly after that Hunter took a position as a junior officer with the First Exchange Bank of Inglewood. This bank was taken over by the state of California and placed in receivership in January 1932.
For the next two years Hunter filled several odd jobs, including working as a bridge painter and a laundry detergent peddler. In 1934 he managed to get a position as a title examiner with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Hunter then began to study at Southwestern Law School. Howard and Claire's first son, William, died shortly after he started law school. However his sons Richard Hunter and John Hunter were both born while he was in law school.
stake of the Church, where he had also served as a bishop.
Some of his major contributions include the creation of the church's 2000th stake and his negotiations to acquire land in Jerusalem to build the BYU Jerusalem Center, which he later dedicated. Other significant activities he was involved in include the drafting of the Proclamation on the Family
. In 1985, Hunter was named Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve
, in recognition of the infirmity of Marion G. Romney
, who had succeeded as President of the Twelve by seniority; Hunter became president of the Quorum of the Twelve on Romney's death in 1988.
Hunter encouraged and emphasized Christlike living and temple
attendance, and dedicated two temples during his administration, the Orlando Florida Temple
and later the Bountiful Utah Temple
shortly before he died.
and closely involved with the founding of the J. Reuben Clark Law School
. He also was a member of the Board of Trustees of the New World Archaeology Foundation, chairman of the board of the Polynesian Cultural Center
and president of the Genealogical Society of Utah
.
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Both of Hunter's sons who lived to adulthood became lawyers.
While president of the Quorum of the Twelve, he had major health problems for the remainder of his life, including a heart attack
, broken ribs from a fall at general conference, heart bypass surgery, bleeding ulcers, and a kidney failure that revived. Hunter was admitted to LDS Hospital
on January 9, 1995 for exhaustion and was released on January 16. While hospitalized, it was discovered that Hunter was suffering from prostate cancer
that had spread to the bones.
Hunter died in his downtown Salt Lake City, Utah
residence after a battle with prostate cancer
. He was 87. With the church leader at the time of his death were his wife, Inis; his nurse, who had been attending him; and his personal secretary, Lowell Hardy. Funeral services were held on March 8, 1995 at the Salt Lake Tabernacle
under the direction of Gordon B. Hinckley
. Hunter was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery
. On October 14, 2007 at her home in Laguna Hills, California
, his wife Inis Stanton Hunter died of causes incident to age.
fireside being held at Brigham Young University
's Marriott Center
on February 7, 1993, Hunter was confronted by Cody Judy, who rushed onto the rostrum and threatened Hunter and the audience of 15,000–17,000. Judy carried a briefcase that he claimed contained a bomb and held what appeared to be a detonator-like device. Judy demanded that Hunter read a three-page document that supposedly detailed God's plan for Judy to lead the church, which Hunter refused to do. The audience spontaneously sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
", during which students from the audience and then security personnel overtook Judy. After Judy was taken away, Hunter delivered his prepared remarks, a talk entitled "An Anchor to the Souls of Men."
He was sustained as an apostle
Apostle (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, an Apostle is a "special witness of the name of Jesus Christ who is sent to teach the principles of salvation to others." In many Latter Day Saint churches, an Apostle is a priesthood office of high authority within the church hierarchy. In many churches, apostles...
at the age of 51, and served a little over 35 years as a general authority
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
for the church.
Early life
Hunter was born in BoiseBoise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. His father was not a Latter-day Saint (he joined the church in 1927) and would not let him be baptized until he was 12; Hunter was not ordained to the Aaronic priesthood until he was 15. He was the second person to become an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
in the state of Idaho.
In March 1923 the Boise Ward where Hunter had been a member since baptism was split, and he ended up in the new Boise 2nd Ward. It initially met in a Jewish Synagogue that was provided free of charge. When a short time later calls were issued to build the Boise LDS Tabernacle, Hunter was the first to pledge money for the building, offering $25.
Hunter had a love for music and played the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, and trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
. He formed a band called Hunter's Croonaders, which played at many regional events and even for a cruise ship to the orient.
Professional career
In 1928 Hunter tried an advertising system where he would publish train and bus schedules and charge for advertising, then placing them in hotels. The project worked moderately well in such cities as NampaNampa, Idaho
Nampa is the largest and the fastest growing city in Canyon County, Idaho, USA. The population of Nampa was 81,557 at the 2010 census. Nampa is located about west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles west of Meridian. Nampa is part of the Boise metropolitan area...
and Twin Falls
Twin Falls, Idaho
Twin Falls is the county seat and largest city of Twin Falls County, Idaho, United States. The population was 44,125 at the 2010 censusTwin Falls is the largest city of Idaho's Magic Valley region...
but completely failed in Pocatello, Idaho
Pocatello, Idaho
Pocatello is the county seat and largest city of Bannock County, with a small portion on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in neighboring Power County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. It is the principal city of the Pocatello metropolitan area, which encompasses all of Bannock...
. After this failure Hunter moved to southern California.
In California Hunter initially worked in a citrus factory and in shoe sales. After a few weeks he secured a job at a Bank of Italy
Bank of Italy
Bank of Italy may refer to either :*Banca d'Italia is the central bank of Italy.*Bank of Italy was a bank established in San Francisco, California and the forerunner of Bank of America....
branch on April 23, 1928. Hunter studied at the American Institute of Banking while working for the Bank of Italy.
In June 1928 Hunter met Clara May "Claire" Jeffs, a lady from Salt Lake City who had moved with her family to Los Angeles in 1926. They dated some over the next year, but not exclusively with each other at this point Besides working in banking Hunter was still playing the saxophone for dances on a regular basis. By the summer of 1929 Howard and Claire were dating steady. However Howard was contemplating serving a mission so they held off on marriage. However, he eventually decided to get married instead. Howard and Claire were married in 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,...
on June 10, 1931.
In November 1930 Howard was involved in booking for the merger of the Bank of Italy with the Bank of America of California to form the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association. Shortly after that Hunter took a position as a junior officer with the First Exchange Bank of Inglewood. This bank was taken over by the state of California and placed in receivership in January 1932.
For the next two years Hunter filled several odd jobs, including working as a bridge painter and a laundry detergent peddler. In 1934 he managed to get a position as a title examiner with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Hunter then began to study at Southwestern Law School. Howard and Claire's first son, William, died shortly after he started law school. However his sons Richard Hunter and John Hunter were both born while he was in law school.
Leadership in the LDS Church
Prior to his call as an apostle Hunter held several leadership positions in the LDS Church. He was the first president of the Pasadena, CaliforniaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
stake of the Church, where he had also served as a bishop.
Some of his major contributions include the creation of the church's 2000th stake and his negotiations to acquire land in Jerusalem to build the BYU Jerusalem Center, which he later dedicated. Other significant activities he was involved in include the drafting of the Proclamation on the Family
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" is a 1995 statement issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —whose adherents are known as Mormons—which defined the official position of the church on family, gender roles, and human sexuality. First announced by church president Gordon B...
. In 1985, Hunter was named Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
, in recognition of the infirmity of Marion G. Romney
Marion G. Romney
Marion George Romney was an apostle and a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .-Early life:...
, who had succeeded as President of the Twelve by seniority; Hunter became president of the Quorum of the Twelve on Romney's death in 1988.
Hunter encouraged and emphasized Christlike living and temple
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
attendance, and dedicated two temples during his administration, the Orlando Florida Temple
Orlando Florida Temple
The Orlando Florida Temple is the 48th constructed and 46th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located near Windermere, it was built with a modern single-spire design. It is the second largest LDS temple in the Eastern United States, after the Washington D.C...
and later the Bountiful Utah Temple
Bountiful Utah Temple
The Bountiful Utah Temple is the 47th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The Bountiful Temple is the eighth temple constructed in the state of Utah. The history of this temple site began back in 1897, when John Haven Barlow Sr. purchased of land from the United...
shortly before he died.
Leadership in other LDS Church-owned endeavors
Hunter served in several LDS Church assignments not directly related to ecclesiastical matters while a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
and closely involved with the founding of the J. Reuben Clark Law School
J. Reuben Clark Law School
The J. Reuben Clark Law School is a professional graduate school located in Provo, Utah at Brigham Young University. Founded in 1973, the school is named after J. Reuben Clark, Jr.—former U.S. Ambassador, Undersecretary of State, and LDS Church General Authority—and its charter dean was former...
. He also was a member of the Board of Trustees of the New World Archaeology Foundation, chairman of the board of the Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a Polynesian-themed theme park or living museum located in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Dedicated on October 12, 1963, the PCC occupies owned by nearby Brigham Young University–Hawaii....
and 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...
.
Personal life
After the death of Hunter's first wife, Clara May Jeffs in 1983, he married Inis Stanton in 1990 while presidentPresident 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...
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Both of Hunter's sons who lived to adulthood became lawyers.
Health problems and death
When Hunter was four years old, he was stricken with polio, which afflicted his back so that he was never able to bend forward and touch the ground again.While president of the Quorum of the Twelve, he had major health problems for the remainder of his life, including a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, broken ribs from a fall at general conference, heart bypass surgery, bleeding ulcers, and a kidney failure that revived. Hunter was admitted to LDS Hospital
LDS Hospital
LDS Hospital is a general urban hospital and surgical center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The hospital was originally owned by the LDS Church but is now owned and operated by Intermountain Healthcare...
on January 9, 1995 for exhaustion and was released on January 16. While hospitalized, it was discovered that Hunter was suffering from prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
that had spread to the bones.
Hunter died in his downtown Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
residence after a battle with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. He was 87. With the church leader at the time of his death were his wife, Inis; his nurse, who had been attending him; and his personal secretary, Lowell Hardy. Funeral services were held on March 8, 1995 at the Salt Lake Tabernacle
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple.-History:...
under the direction of Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
. Hunter was buried in the 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...
. On October 14, 2007 at her home in Laguna Hills, California
Laguna Hills, California
Laguna Hills is a city located in southern Orange County, California, United States. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named.-Geography:...
, his wife Inis Stanton Hunter died of causes incident to age.
Cody Judy
While preparing to speak at a CESChurch Educational System
The Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for both Latter-day Saint and non-Latter-day Saint elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult learners...
fireside being held at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
's Marriott Center
Marriott Center
Marriott Center is a 22,700-seat multi-purpose arena at 1497 N 450 E on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and is home to the BYU Cougars men's and women's basketball teams. It is also used for weekly devotionals and forums...
on February 7, 1993, Hunter was confronted by Cody Judy, who rushed onto the rostrum and threatened Hunter and the audience of 15,000–17,000. Judy carried a briefcase that he claimed contained a bomb and held what appeared to be a detonator-like device. Judy demanded that Hunter read a three-page document that supposedly detailed God's plan for Judy to lead the church, which Hunter refused to do. The audience spontaneously sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
"We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" is a hymn of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It has been sung at most general conferences of the LDS Church since it was published in 1863....
", during which students from the audience and then security personnel overtook Judy. After Judy was taken away, Hunter delivered his prepared remarks, a talk entitled "An Anchor to the Souls of Men."