Edward Hunter Jr. (June 22, 1793 – October 16, 1883) was the third Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1851 until his death. He served as Presiding Bishop longer than any other person in the history of the LDS Church.
| Edward Hunter | |
|---|---|
 Edward Hunter photographed by Charles Roscoe Savage | |
| Presiding Bishop | |
| April 7, 1851 – October 16, 1883 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward Hunter Jr. June 22, 1793 Newtown Square, Pennsylvania |
| Died | October 16, 1883 (aged 90) Salt Lake City, Utah Territory |
| Signature | |
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Biography
Born to Edward Hunter and Hannah Maris in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Hunter was engaged in the mercantile business near Philadelphia from 1816 to 1822 and was married to Ann Standley in 1830.[1] Hunter served in the United States Cavalry for seven years, and as Delaware County commissioner for three years.[citation needed] During this time, Hunter identified as a Swedenborgian.[2]
Hunter converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1840, served as bishop of the Nauvoo 5th Ward from 1844 to 1846, and made significant financial contributions to the early church. He migrated to the Salt Lake Valley in 1846–47 and served as the bishop of the Salt Lake City 13th Ward from 1849 to 1854. Hunter was elected to the Utah Territorial Assembly on November 15, 1851, and served one term.
Hunter was called as Presiding Bishop by LDS Church president Brigham Young in 1851. Young and Heber C. Kimball served as Hunter's informal counselors for more than five years until Hunter formally called Leonard W. Hardy and Jesse Carter Little to these positions.
As ex officio president of the church's Aaronic priesthood, Hunter laid the southwest cornerstone of the Salt Lake Temple on April 6, 1853.
Hunter died at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, and was buried at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.[1]
See also
References
- Hunter, Edward (April 6, 1853), "Persecutions, Position, Prospects and Agency of the Saints", Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, pp. 35–38 — a sermon delivered by Hunter after laying the southwest cornerstone of the Salt Lake Temple
- Edward Hunter Homestead Historical Marker (hmdb.org)
- Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Edward Hunter : brief biography
- Biography of Edward Hunter, The Joseph Smith Papers (accessed January 9, 2012)
- Hartley, William G. (1985). "Edward Hunter: Pioneer Presiding Bishop". In Donald Q. Cannon; David J. Whittaker (eds.). Supporting Saints: Life Stories of Nineteenth-Century Mormons. Religious Studies Center Specialized Monograph Series. Vol. 1. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University. pp. 275–304. ISBN 0-88494-565-0.