- Francis M. Gibbons
Francis Marion ("Frank") Gibbons (born 1921) was the secretary to the First Presidency of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1970 to 1986 and ageneral authority of the church from 1986 until 1991.A native of
St. Johns, Arizona , Gibbons received degrees fromStanford University and theUniversity of Utah and practiced law inUtah for eighteen years. [http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=ac7fef960417b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “Elder Francis M. Gibbons of the First Quorum of the Seventy,”] "Ensign", May 1986, 103.] In 1970, while serving as a bishop of the LDS Church, Gibbons was hired as the secretary to the First Presidency to replace Joseph Anderson, who had been the secretary since 1922 but who had just become anAssistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles .Gibbons served as secretary to the First Presidency until March 1986, when he retired and was succeeded by
F. Michael Watson . Just one week later, at the April general conference of the church, Gibbons was selected as a member of theFirst Quorum of the Seventy . [ [http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=5e0fef960417b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “Solemn Assembly and Sustaining of Church Officers,”] "Ensign", May 1986, 73.] In April 1989, he was transferred to the newly-createdSecond Quorum of the Seventy . [ [http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=f35027cd3f37b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “The Sustaining of Church Officers,”] "Ensign", May 1989, 17.]In October 1991, Gibbons was honorably released from his service in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and as a general authority of the church. [ [http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e5d7b850e318b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 “The Sustaining of Church Officers,”] "Ensign", Nov. 1991, 20.]
Gibbons has also served as a
stake president and patriarch in the church. [ [http://gapages.com/gibbofm1.htm Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Francis M. Gibbons] .] He is the author of 19 books, including a biography ofJack Anderson and the hagiographical "Prophets of God" series about the presidents of the LDS Church.Gibbons is married to Helen Bay and is the father of four children.
Publications
*Gibbons, Francis M. (1981). "Brigham Young: Modern Moses, Prophet of God" ISBN 0877478589
*—— (1986). "David O. McKay: Apostle to the World, Prophet of God" ISBN 0875790364
*—— (1996). "Dynamic Disciples, Prophets of God: Life Stories of the Presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" ISBN 1573451614
*—— (1999). "The Expanding Church: Three Decades of Remarkable Growth Among the Latter-Day Saints, 1970-1999" ISBN 0882906720
*—— (1996). "Ezra Taft Benson: Statesman, Patriot, Prophet of God" ISBN 1573451487
*—— and Daniel Bay Gibbons (2002). "A Gathering of Eagles: Conversions from the Four Quarters of the Earth" ISBN 0595219705
*—— (1990). "George Albert Smith: Kind and Caring Christian, Prophet of God" ISBN 0875792855
*—— (1993). "Harold B. Lee: Man of Vision, Prophet of God" ISBN 0875797164
*—— (1979). "Heber J. Grant: Man of Steel, Prophet of God" ISBN 0877477558
*—— (2003). "Jack Anderson: Mormon Crusader in Gomorrah ISBN 0595269818
*—— (1992). "Joseph Fielding Smith: Gospel Scholar, Prophet of God" ISBN 0875795374
*—— (1984). "Joseph F. Smith: Patriarch and Preacher, Prophet of God" ISBN 0877479887
*—— (1985). "John Taylor: Mormon Philosopher, Prophet of God" ISBN 0877477140
*—— (1977). "Joseph Smith: Martyr–Prophet of God" ISBN 0877476373
*—— (1982). "Lorenzo Snow: Spiritual Giant, Prophet of God" ISBN 0877479364
*—— (1995). "Martha: A Historical Novel" ISBN 059532584X
*—— (1995). "Spencer W. Kimball: Resolute Disciple, Prophet of God" ISBN 0875799949
*—— (2005). "The Spiritual Dimensions of America" ISBN 0595340601
*—— (1988). "Wilford Woodruff: Wondrous Worker, Prophet of God" ISBN 0875791158Notes
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