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50 years ago
President Howard W. Hunter, 14th president of the Church, was ordained an apostle on Oct. 15, 1959, by President David O. McKay, according to the Oct. 17, 1959, Church News.
He was sustained an apostle in general conference Oct. 10.
The article stated, "He filled the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve occasioned by the appointment of President Henry D. Moyle to the First Presidency."
President Stephen L. Richards, first counselor in the First Presidency, had passed away May 19, 1959.
According to the article, "Elder Hunter, for the past nine years president of the Pasadena Stake, becomes Southern California's first representative on the Council of the Twelve. The Southland has 30 stakes and a Church population of nearly 150,000.
"The newest apostle is a prominent Los Angeles corporation lawyer and businessman."
The article added: "He is one beloved and admired by all with whom he has associated in his long Church service."
President Hunter had also served as bishop of the South Pasadena Ward and on the stake high council before his call as stake president.
He became president of the Church on June 5, 1994, at age 86, after serving 35 years in the Quorum of the Twelve, as reported in the Deseret News 2009 Church Almanac. He died March 3, 1995, in Salt Lake City.
