Francis M. Gibbons

Francis Marion ("Frank") Gibbons (born April 10, 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 a general authority of the church from 1986 until 1991.

A native of St. Johns, Arizona, Gibbons received degrees from Stanford University and the University of Utah and practiced law in Utah for eighteen years.^[1] 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 an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.^[1]

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 the First Quorum of the Seventy.^[2] In April 1989, he was transferred to the newly-created Second Quorum of the Seventy.^[3]

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.^[4]

Gibbons has also served as a stake president and patriarch in the church.^[5] He is the author of 19 books, including a biography of Jack 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. (1977). Joseph Smith: Martyr–Prophet of God ISBN 0877476373
• —— (1979). Heber J. Grant: Man of Steel, Prophet of God ISBN 0877477558
• —— (1981). Brigham Young: Modern Moses, Prophet of God ISBN 0877478589
• —— (1982). Lorenzo Snow: Spiritual Giant, Prophet of God ISBN 0877479364
• —— (1984). Joseph F. Smith: Patriarch and Preacher, Prophet of God ISBN 0877479887
• —— (1985). John Taylor: Mormon Philosopher, Prophet of God ISBN 0877477140
• —— (1986). David O. McKay: Apostle to the World, Prophet of God ISBN 0875790364
• —— (1988). Wilford Woodruff: Wondrous Worker, Prophet of God ISBN 0875791158
• —— (1990). George Albert Smith: Kind and Caring Christian, Prophet of God ISBN 0875792855
• —— (1992). Joseph Fielding Smith: Gospel Scholar, Prophet of God ISBN 0875795374
• —— (1993). Harold B. Lee: Man of Vision, Prophet of God ISBN 0875797164
• —— (1995). Martha: A Historical Novel ISBN 059532584X
• —— (1995). Spencer W. Kimball: Resolute Disciple, Prophet of God ISBN 0875799949
• —— (1996). Ezra Taft Benson: Statesman, Patriot, Prophet of God ISBN 1573451487
• —— (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
• —— and Daniel Bay Gibbons (2002). A Gathering of Eagles: Conversions from the Four Quarters of the Earth ISBN 0595219705
• —— (2003). Jack Anderson: Mormon Crusader in Gomorrah ISBN 0595269818
• —— (2005). The Spiritual Dimensions of America ISBN 0595340601

Notes