Profile of George Albert Smith on Famous Like Me

For others by this name, see George Albert Smith.

George Albert Smith

Full Name George Albert Smith Born 4 April 1870 Place of birth Salt Lake City, Utah Died 4 April 1951 Place of death Salt Lake City, Utah LDS Church President Ordained May 21, 1945 Predecessor Heber J. Grant Successor David O. McKay

George Albert Smith (April 4, 1870 – April 4, 1951) was an influential member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and eventually became president of the Church.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Smith attended Brigham Young University and the University of Deseret (later the University of Utah). While surveying for a railroad, though, his eyesight was permanently impaired by glare from the sun. In 1896, he joined the Republican Party and campaigned for William McKinley, who became President. He was also favored by Theodore Roosevelt.

He received his apostleship in 1903, but his frequent travels caused prominent physical weakness, and it was eventually diagnosed as lupus erythematosus, which causes weakness. He was an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts, and was very patriotic, joining various patriotic groups. He became president of the Church on May 21, 1945. When World War II ended, Smith helped send supplies to war-stricken Europe. He also helped revitalize missionary work. In that same year, he dedicated the Idaho Falls Temple. When he died at his hometown of Salt Lake City, he was one of the most prominent Mormons, being a popular example of "Christlike living", as one biography puts it.

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