David A. Smith (Mormon)
Encyclopedia
David Asael Smith was a member of the presiding bishopric
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) between 1907 and 1938 and was the first president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
.
Smith was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory
, the son of LDS Apostle Joseph F. Smith
and Julina Lambson. He was baptized on his eighth birthday.
When Charles W. Nibley
was selected as the new Presiding Bishop
of the church in 1907, he selected Smith as his second counselor. Smith was ordained a High Priest and a Bishop by Anthon H. Lund
in December 1907. When first counselor Orrin Porter Miller died in 1918, Nibley made Smith his new first counselor. When Nibley was asked to join the First Presidency
of the church in 1925, the new presiding bishop, Sylvester Q. Cannon
, asked Smith to remain in the Presiding Bishopric as his first counselor. Smith served in this capacity until April 6, 1938 when Cannon was released and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As a member of the Presiding Bishopric, Smith was the head of LDS Hospital
in Salt Lake City
In 1908, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
appointed Smith as its first president. In this capacity, Smith's duties included managing the administrative, financial, and logistic details of the choir's increasing concert and tour schedule. Smith was president of the choir until his release from the presiding bishopric in 1938.
From 1943 to 1949 Smith was the first president
of the LDS Church's Idaho Falls Idaho Temple
. Smith was also a member of the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. Smith died in Salt Lake City of cerebral arteriosclerosis
. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery
.
Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)
The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) between 1907 and 1938 and was the first president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sometimes colloquially referred to as MoTab, is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . However, the choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to...
.
Smith was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
, the son of LDS Apostle Joseph F. Smith
Joseph F. Smith
Joseph Fielding Smith, Sr. was the sixth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
and Julina Lambson. He was baptized on his eighth birthday.
When Charles W. Nibley
Charles W. Nibley
Charles Wilson Nibley was the fifth presiding bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1907 and 1925 and a member of the church's First Presidency from 1925 until his death....
was selected as the new Presiding Bishop
Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)
The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:...
of the church in 1907, he selected Smith as his second counselor. Smith was ordained a High Priest and a Bishop by Anthon H. Lund
Anthon H. Lund
Anthon Henrik Lund was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a prominent Utah leader.-History:...
in December 1907. When first counselor Orrin Porter Miller died in 1918, Nibley made Smith his new first counselor. When Nibley was asked to join the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
of the church in 1925, the new presiding bishop, Sylvester Q. Cannon
Sylvester Q. Cannon
Sylvester Quayle Cannon was the sixth presiding bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1925 and 1938 and a member of church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from October 6, 1939 until his death. He was the son of George Q...
, asked Smith to remain in the Presiding Bishopric as his first counselor. Smith served in this capacity until April 6, 1938 when Cannon was released and became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As a member of the Presiding Bishopric, Smith was the head of LDS Hospital
LDS Hospital
LDS Hospital is a general urban hospital and surgical center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The hospital was originally owned by the LDS Church but is now owned and operated by Intermountain Healthcare...
in Salt Lake City
In 1908, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sometimes colloquially referred to as MoTab, is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . However, the choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to...
appointed Smith as its first president. In this capacity, Smith's duties included managing the administrative, financial, and logistic details of the choir's increasing concert and tour schedule. Smith was president of the choir until his release from the presiding bishopric in 1938.
From 1943 to 1949 Smith was the first president
Temple President
Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of an LDS temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity....
of the LDS Church's Idaho Falls Idaho Temple
Idaho Falls Idaho Temple
The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple is the tenth constructed and eighth operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Idaho it was the first LDS temple built in Idaho, and the first temple built with a modern single-spire design.The LDS temple...
. Smith was also a member of the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. Smith died in Salt Lake City of cerebral arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery
Salt Lake City Cemetery
thumb|The northern section of the cemetery at night, looking towards Salt Lake CityThe Salt Lake City Cemetery is in The Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. Approximately 120,000 persons are buried in the cemetery. Many religious leaders and politicians, particularly many leaders of The...
.