Pres. Lee: 'Keep the commandments'
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When Harold B. Lee, at age 73, became the 11th president of the Church on July 7, 1972, he filled the role the Lord had prepared him for, presiding over more than 3 million Church members.
"He accepted his responsibility in deep humility, and he constantly acknowledged the guiding hand before him," the Church News observed in a Dec. 29, 1973, special issue prepared in his honor after his death Dec. 26, 1973."On Aug. 13, 1972, in his first major appearance before the youth of the Church after becoming president, he said, `I'm not the head of the Church; the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the head of this Church. I happen to be the one who has been called to preside over His Church at the present time here upon the earth."
The deep humility felt by President Lee was perhaps most apparent at the solemn assembly Oct. 6, 1972, when he was sustained by the Church.
"Today, at the greatest moment of my life, I find myself without words to express my deepest and innermost feelings," he said. "How grateful I am for your loyalty and your sustaining vote. I bear you solemn witness as to the divine mission of the Savior, and the certainty as to His guiding hand in the affairs of His Church today, as in all dispensations of time."
The overall theme of his administration might be summarized in one simple statement: "Keep the commandments."
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the gospel doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Joseph Fielding Smith - A Prophet Among the People, by J M. Heslop and Dell Van Orden; Church News: Jan. 31, 1970; July 8 and July 15, 1972; and Dec. 29, 1973.
