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Spencer Woolley Kimball (March 28, 1895 –
November 5, 1985) headed The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the
Mormons, from 1973 until his death in 1985. His
grandfather, Heber C. Kimball, was one of the
original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles  of the
church and then First Counselor in the First
Presidency to second church president Brigham
Young.

Kimball had not been expected to succeed to the
Presidency of the church, as Harold B. Lee,
coincidentally born on Kimball's fourth birthday,
was named an Apostle (Mormonism)|Apostle two years
before him, and succession is by seniority.
However, Lee died suddenly in December, 1973 after
a presidency of a year and a half and Kimball, as
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
assumed the church presidency.

Kimball's presidency is remembered for a variety
of accomplishments as the church continued its
rapid growth worldwide, his 1978 declaration that
the Priesthood (Mormonism)|priesthood should now
be conferred on all worthy male members without
regard to race or color, and rapid expansion of
the church's missionary program.

In the 1980s Kimball's health declined and the
burdens of the presidency were increasingly
shouldered by Gordon B. Hinckley. Following his
death, Kimball was succeeded by Ezra Taft Benson
as president of the church.

Kimball was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and was
raised in Southeastern Arizona in the United
States. He lived in the town of Safford, Arizona,
where he owned and operated a prosperous insurance
business before he was called as an Apostle in the
church in 1943.

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succession box |
  title= President of the Church
(Mormonism)|President of the LDS Church |
  years= December 30, 1973–November 5, 1985 
|
  before= Harold B. Lee |
  after= Ezra Taft Benson

succession box |
  title= President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles|President of the 
Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles |
  years=  July 7, 1972 –December 30, 1973 |
  before= Harold B. Lee |
  after= Ezra Taft Benson

series box |
 title= Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
 years= October 7, 1943–December 30, 1973 |
 before=Harold B. Lee |
 after= Ezra Taft Benson 

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