Life Of Heber C Kimball

This biography of Heber C. Kimball was originally commissioned by the Kimball family and written by Kimball’s grandson, Orson F. Whitney, himself an apostle. Heber C. Kimball was a close friend of Brigham Young, one of the early apostles in this dispensation, a powerful missionary, and a long-time member of the first presidency. This biography shares many of the miracles that happened in Kimball’s life and paints a portrait of a lion of the Lord.

A decade before Heber Kimball found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his elder brother convinced him to come to Mendon, Ohio to learn the pottery trade. During those years, he met and married the love of his life, Vilate Murray, he befriended Brigham Young, and together he and Vilate found Mormonism. It is unfair to see Heber only in the shadow of JosephSmith and Brigham Young. Students of his life know that Heber leaps out as a major force in the early history of the Church. It was he who the Spirit whispered should open the gospel to Great Britain. As Father of the British Mission, thousands came into the Church as a result of his singular strength and influence. Often Heber would use the potter's wheel as a apt metaphor in his sermons exhorting his listeners to heed the gospel message so they truly lived as Christ's disciples. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints not only put Heber on the potter's wheel, but as a master potter himself he shaped so many lives by his powerful faith and prophetic voice.

"Life of Heber C. Kimball", by Orson Ferguson Whitney. Orson Ferguson Whitney was member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1855-1931).

Heber Chase Kimball (1801-1868) was born in Sheldon, Vermont to Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. In 1831 he joined the LDS Church and in 1835 he became and apostle. he served for a number of years as a counselor to Brigham Young. Heber was married to forty-three women and was the father of sixty-five children.