Oscar A. Kirkham
Encyclopedia
Oscar Ammon Kirkham was a general authority
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of the seven presidents of Seventy.
Kirkham was born in Lehi
, Utah Territory
, to James Kirkham and his wife Mary Mercer. Oscar Kirkham was the younger brother of prominent educator and defender of the Book of Mormon
Francis W. Kirkham
. Kirkham was ordained a Seventy by Joseph W. McMurrin
on February 26, 1905. After serving as a Mormon missionary
in Germany
and graduating from Brigham Young Academy, Kirkham studied music in Germany
and then taught at the Latter-day Saints University. Kirkham was involved with Scouting
at a high level, serving as a regional scout executive and on the U.S. national staff at the 1929 International Jamboree
at Arrowe Park
in Birkenhead, England, where he was in charge of the religious exercises of the American scouts.
Heber J. Grant
installed Kirkham as one of the seven presidents of the Seventy on October 5, 1941. Marion D. Hanks
had Kirkham's personal notes published as a book, Say the Good Word, to which Hanks wrote the forward.
Kirkham was also a longtime executive secretary in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of the church. In addition, Kirkham was honored with an eponymously named building on the campus of Brigham Young University–Idaho
.
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of the seven presidents of Seventy.
Kirkham was born in Lehi
Lehi, Utah
-Attractions:Lehi Roller MillsLehi Roller Mills was founded in 1906 by a co-op of farmers. George G. Robinson purchased the mill in 1910, and since then it has remained in the family. It is run today by grandson R. Sherman Robinson....
, 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....
, to James Kirkham and his wife Mary Mercer. Oscar Kirkham was the younger brother of prominent educator and defender of the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
Francis W. Kirkham
Francis W. Kirkham
Francis Washington Kirkham was a prominent educator and the author of New Witness For Christ in America: Evidence of Divine Power in the "Coming Forth" of the Book of Mormon one of the earliest book length defenses of the authenticity of the Book of Mormon.Kirkham was born in Lehi, Utah to James...
. Kirkham was ordained a Seventy by Joseph W. McMurrin
Joseph W. McMurrin
Joseph William McMurrin was a general authority and a member of the First Council of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as president of the California Mission of the LDS Church from 1919 until at least 1930.Joseph W...
on February 26, 1905. After serving as a Mormon missionary
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and graduating from Brigham Young Academy, Kirkham studied music in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and then taught at the Latter-day Saints University. Kirkham was involved with Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
at a high level, serving as a regional scout executive and on the U.S. national staff at the 1929 International Jamboree
Jamboree (Scouting)
In Scouting, a jamboree is a large gathering of Scouts who rally at a national or international level.The 1st World Scout Jamboree was held in 1920, and was hosted by the United Kingdom...
at Arrowe Park
Arrowe Park
Arrowe Park is an area of parkland, woodland and leisure facilities to the west of Birkenhead within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, England. The park comprises approximately of land.-History:...
in Birkenhead, England, where he was in charge of the religious exercises of the American scouts.
Heber J. Grant
Heber J. Grant
Heber Jeddy Grant was the seventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was ordained an apostle on October 16, 1882, on the same day as George Teasdale...
installed Kirkham as one of the seven presidents of the Seventy on October 5, 1941. Marion D. Hanks
Marion D. Hanks
Marion Duff Hanks was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1953 until his death.-Early life:...
had Kirkham's personal notes published as a book, Say the Good Word, to which Hanks wrote the forward.
Kirkham was also a longtime executive secretary in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of the church. In addition, Kirkham was honored with an eponymously named building on the campus of Brigham Young University–Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its...
.