Apostleship
At the October General Conference held October 10, 1880 he was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles along with John Henry Smith. Having been on a mission to survey parts of southern Utah, Nevada, and Arizona, he wasn't ordained until October 27 by Church President John Taylor. Upon his call and ordination, he completely devoted himself to church service.
Lyman visited nearly every town that had members of the church in the West during his apostleship. He also maintained a daily record of his business as an apostle in detail.
In early 1883, he served a mission to the Indian people of the Unitah and Ouray in Utah at the call of President Taylor. He was overwhelmed with the calling. Climbing to the summit of a mountain on the borders of the Indian territories, he found a flat spot and felt inspired to pray. He poured out his heart on the mountain, and turned towards the work. Facing anti-Mormon Indian agents and working among a people he knew very little about was a daunting task.
With his company of men, he set out and preached vigorously. The Indian agents were receptive and allowed them to preach freely. Members of the Utes had joined them, and they were most effective in preaching to their brethren. Many Indians received the Book of Mormon and their preaching and were baptized. He served the Indians both spiritually and temporally.
He returned to Provo, Utah on May 28, 1883 and continued serving diligently in other callings.
Lyman was called to minister over the European Mission in 1901. He set about several key reforms and expanded the number of mission homes throughout Europe. In 1903, Lyman and Joseph J. Cannon visited and preached in Finland and Russia.
In the spring of 1902 he visited Palestine and offered up a solemn prayer on the Mount of Olives.
In 1903, Brigham Young, Jr. died, making Lyman the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He returned to Utah in 1904.
Soon after returning home, he went to Washington, D.C. to testify in the Reed Smoot Investigation before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.
Lyman died in his home of pneumonia on November 18, 1916. Stephen L Richards was called to replace him in the Quorum of the Twelve after his death. Heber J. Grant replaced him as President of the Quorum.
Lyman's style was one of reconciliation and the ability to say unpleasant things in an uplifting way. He was known for his sincerity and at times sharpness. But everyone who met him came away a better person, no matter what his personal message was for them. He was hardened by years of hard work starting with crossing the plains at the age of 8 and driving livestock to California at the age of 11, yet he was known for his kindness and sincerity by members of the church.
Read more about this topic: Francis M. Lyman