Charles W. Penrose


Charles W. Penrose
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First Counselor in the First Presidency
10 March 1921 (1921-03-10) – 16 May 1925 (1925-05-16)
Called by Heber J. Grant
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
7 December 1911 (1911-12-07) – 10 March 1921 (1921-03-10)
Called by Joseph F. Smith
End reason Called as First Counselor in the First Presidency
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
7 July 1904 (1904-07-07) – 7 December 1911 (1911-12-07)
Called by Joseph F. Smith
End reason Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency
LDS Church Apostle
7 July 1904 (1904-07-07) – 16 May 1925 (1925-05-16)
Called by Joseph F. Smith
Reason Death of Abraham O. Woodruff
Reorganization at end of term No apostles ordained
Personal details
Born Charles William Penrose
(1832-02-04)4 February 1832
London, England, United Kingdom
Died 16 May 1925(1925-05-16) (aged 93)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting place Salt Lake City Cemetery
40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772°N 111.858°W / 40.7772; -111.858
Nationality English

Charles William Penrose (4 February 1832 – 16 May 1925) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1904 to 1911. Penrose was also a member of the First Presidency of the church under Church Presidents Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant from 1911 until his death.

Penrose was born in London, England; the name "Penrose" is of Cornish origin. It is said that he learned to read the scriptures by the age of four. He was introduced to the church and baptized at the age of eighteen on May 14, 1850 in London. He also met and married his wife Lucetta Stratford there. The couple had three children.

After joining the church, Penrose was called to a mission of seven years, preaching throughout England. In 1861, he emigrated to Utah. After arriving, he was called on yet another mission to England. Upon his return, he settled in Ogden, Utah. There he became involved in newspaper publishing, eventually becoming the editor of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City. Penrose was known for his writing, including missionary tracts and for penning lyrics for LDS hymns, including God of Our Fathers, O Ye Mountains High, and Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion.

Some claim that Penrose, with the assistance of a few others, wrote the 1890 Manifesto. However, this claim has been refuted. George Reynolds testified in the Smoot Hearings before the U.S. Senate that he, Charles W. Penrose, and John R. Winder edited the manifesto that President Wilford Woodruff delivered, preparing it for publication.

Penrose was a professor of theology at Brigham Young Academy from 1897 to 1899 and again in 1901 and 1902.

Penrose was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and ordained an apostle on July 7, 1904 after the passing of Elder Abraham O. Woodruff. After John Henry Smith (the Second Counselor to President Joseph F. Smith) died, he was called and set apart as Second Counselor in his stead on December 7, 1911. James E. Talmage filled the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve caused by President John Henry Smith's death and Charles W. Penrose's call as Second Counselor. He also served as Second Counselor for President Heber J. Grant when the First Presidency was reorganized on November 23, 1918 after the death of President Joseph F. Smith.

Read more about Charles W. Penrose:  Death, Hymns