Heber J. Grant's 1931 comment about science: Part 3, Fifteen men

This is the third in a series of posts that examine the context of Heber J. Grant's 1931 comment about science:

"Upon the fundamental doctrines of the Church we are all agreed. Our mission is to bear the message of the restored gospel to the world. Leave geology, biology, archaeology, and anthropology, no one of which has to do with the salvation of the souls of mankind, to scientific research, while we magnify our calling in the realm of the Church."

Part 1 of the series, Ambiguity, is here.

Part 2 of the series, Unanimity, is here.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, doctrine is established and major decisions are made by fifteen men, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Between 1925 and 1931, these two quorums were as follows (the dates are Born, Ordained, Died, Set apart, Excommunicated).

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY (April 1931):

Left to right:

Anthony W. Ivins, First Counselor
B: 09/16/1852   O: 10/06/1907   D: 09/23/1934

Heber J. Grant, President
B: 11/22/1856   O: 10/16/1882   D: 05/14/1945

Charles W. Nibley, Second Counselor
B: 02/05/1849   S: 05/28/1925   D: 12/11/1931

THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES (April 1931):

Front row, left to right:

Rudger Clawson, Quorum President
B: 03/12/1857   O: 10/10/1898   D: 06/21/1943

Reed Smoot
B: 01/10/1862   O: 04/08/1900   D: 02/09/1941

George Albert Smith
B: 04/04/1870   O: 10/08/1903   D: 04/04/1951

George F. Richards
B: 02/23/1861   O: 04/09/1906   D: 08/08/1950

Middle row, left to right:

Orson F. Whitney
B: 07/01/1855   O: 04/09/1906   D: 05/16/1931

David O. McKay
B: 09/08/1873   O: 04/09/1906   D: 01/18/1970

Joseph Fielding Smith
B: 07/19/1876   O: 04/07/1910   D: 07/02/1972

James E. Talmage
B: 09/21/1862   O: 12/08/1911   D: 07/27/1933

Back row, left to right:

Stephen L Richards
B: 06/18/1879   O: 01/18/1917   D: 05/19/1959

Richard R. Lyman
B: 11/23/1870   O: 04/07/1918   E: 11/12/1943

Melvin J. Ballard
B: 02/09/1873   O: 01/07/1919   D: 07/30/1939

John A. Widtsoe
B: 01/31/1872   O: 03/17/1921   D: 11/29/1952

These fifteen men played a major role in events that culminated in Grant's 1931 comment about science. The central role was played by B.H. Roberts, a Seventy. We will discuss him next.

(read more...)