Thorpe B. Isaacson

Henry Thorpe Beal Isaacson (September 6, 1898 – November 9, 1970) was a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving as a counselor in the First Presidency to church president David O. McKay from 1965 to 1970.

Thorpe B. Isaacson
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
January 23, 1970 (1970-01-23)  November 9, 1970 (1970-11-09)
Counselor in the First Presidency
October 28, 1965 (1965-10-28)  January 18, 1970 (1970-01-18)
End reasonDissolution of First Presidency on the death of David O. McKay
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30)  October 28, 1965 (1965-10-28)
End reasonCalled as Counselor in the First Presidency
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
April 6, 1952 (1952-04-06)  September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30)
End reasonHonorable release of Joseph L. Wirthlin and his counselors
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
December 12, 1946 (1946-12-12)  April 6, 1952 (1952-04-06)
End reasonHonorable release of LeGrand Richards and his counselors
Personal details
BornHenry Thorpe Beal Isaacson
(1898-09-06)September 6, 1898
Ephraim, Utah, United States
DiedNovember 9, 1970(1970-11-09) (aged 72)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Resting placeSalt Lake City Cemetery
40°46′37.92″N 111°51′28.8″W

Isaacson was born in Ephraim, Sanpete County, Utah, to Martin Isaacson and Mary Jemima Beal. Isaacson received his education at Snow Academy (now Snow College), Brigham Young University, Utah State University and the University of California–Berkeley.

On June 20, 1920, Isaacson married Lula Maughan Jones in the Salt Lake Temple. They eventually became the parents of two children. Isaacson worked as a school teacher and athletic coach in Idaho and later was a school district superintendent. He also was involved in insurance sales and real estate. Isaacson was a member of the Utah State University Board of Trustees.

In the LDS Church, Isaacson was ordained a high priest in 1941 by Charles A. Callis of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In 1946, he became a second counselor to LeGrand Richards in the presiding bishopric, and then as first counselor to Joseph L. Wirthlin in 1952. In 1961, he was sustained as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

On October 28, 1965, Isaacson was sustained as a counselor to church president David O. McKay in the First Presidency. Isaacson being called to be a counselor in the First Presidency was unusual since he was not an apostle. However, President McKay had a great deal of confidence in Isaacson's judgement and past service. There is evidence that Isaacson was already functioning much as a counselor to McKay at the time of his call to the First Presidency.[1] Isaacson suffered a stroke on February 7, 1966, which severely limited his activities as a counselor. Alvin R. Dyer was added as a counselor to the First Presidency to fill the role Isaacson was to perform. Isaacson was released from the First Presidency upon McKay's death on January 18, 1970, and resumed his former position as an Assistant to the Twelve.

Isaacson died in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

See also

References

  1. Prince, G.A. and W.R. Wright. (2005) David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, p. 219
  • 2004 Church News Almanac (Salt Lake City: Deseret Morning News, 2003) pp. 61–62
  • Leon R. Hartshorn. Outstanding Stories by General Authorities. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975) Vol. 3, p. 175.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
January 23, 1970 November 9, 1970
September 30, 1961 October 28, 1965
Vacant
Title last held by
Hugh B. Brown
as Third Counselor in the First Presidency 
Counselor in the First Presidency
October 28, 1965 January 18, 1970
Served alongside:
Joseph Fielding Smith (October 29, 1965 - January 18, 1970)
Alvin R. Dyer (April 6, 1968 – January 18, 1970)
Vacant
Title next held by
Gordon B. Hinckley
Preceded by
Joseph L. Wirthlin
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
April 6, 1952 September 30, 1961
Succeeded by
Robert L. Simpson
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
December 12, 1946 April 6, 1952
Succeeded by
Carl W. Buehner


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