John Longden
Born: 4 November 1898
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 6 October 1951
Died: 30 August 1969
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 6 October 1951
Died: 30 August 1969
Biographical Articles
Biographical Encyclopedia, Volume 4
Improvement Era, November 1967, John Longden Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, October 1969, Elder John Longden
Relief Society Magazine, November 1969, In Memoriam - Elder John Longden
Improvement Era, November 1967, John Longden Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, October 1969, Elder John Longden
Relief Society Magazine, November 1969, In Memoriam - Elder John Longden
Jenson, Andrew. "Longden, John." Biographical Encyclopedia. Volume 4. pg. 605.
LONGDEN, John, Bishop of the 19th Ward, Salt Lake Stake, Utah, from 1925 to 1930, was born Nov. 4, 1898, in Oldham, England, a son of Thomas J. Longden and Lizzette Taylor. He was baptized in 1906, ordained to the Priesthood, filled a mission to the Central States in 1921-1924, and was ordained a High Priest and Bishop Sept. 27, 1925, by Rudger Clawson.
LONGDEN, John, Bishop of the 19th Ward, Salt Lake Stake, Utah, from 1925 to 1930, was born Nov. 4, 1898, in Oldham, England, a son of Thomas J. Longden and Lizzette Taylor. He was baptized in 1906, ordained to the Priesthood, filled a mission to the Central States in 1921-1924, and was ordained a High Priest and Bishop Sept. 27, 1925, by Rudger Clawson.
"John Longden Assistant to the Council of the Twelve." Improvement Era. November 1967. pg. 45.
JOHN LONGDEN Assistant to the Council of the Twelve In the early days of the restored Church, the Lord said, in revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me." Elder John Longden, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, has literally sung his way into the hearts of the saints wherever he has traveled. A gifted singer, he has willingly shared his musical talents with congregations in many parts of the world as he has visited them on Church assignments. Elder Longden was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, on November 4, 1898. His parents, Thomas J. and Lizetta Taylor Longden, were converts to the Church, and when John was ten years old, the family immigrated to Utah. He attended LDS High School and LDS Business College and the University of Utah. His musical talents were recognized early, and he studied voice and dramatics and was a member of two theater stock companies. In 1921 he accepted a call to the Central States Mission, and upon his return began his business career, first in an insurance agency and then in the electrical products business. He climbed the executive ladder to become manager of the Westinghouse Electric Supply Company in Salt Lake City and, in 1952, area manager for National Electric Products Corporation, a position he held until his business retirement in 1960. On October 15, 1924, Elder Longden married Frances LaRue Carr in the Salt Lake Temple; they are parents of two daughters. Sister Longden served 13 years as second counselor in the general presidency of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. Elder Longden has always found time to serve faithfully and willingly in the Church. He was an assistant superintendent and superintendent in ward and stake MIA organizations before being called as bishop of the 19th Ward in Salt Lake City. He then served some 17 years as a stake high councilor and, in 1950, became a member of the General Church Welfare Committee. In October 1951 came the call to serve as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. In a recent general conference Elder Longden told of attending meetings as a youth in a little corrugated, galvanized meetinghouse in Oldham, Lancashire. Fifty-six years later he had the privilege of returning to the land of his birth to dedicate a beautiful chapel in Oldham. "Fifty-six years ago," mused Elder Longden. "It seems like yesterday. How time flies!" Then he added, "There is nothing we can do about it except to see as far as possible that it passes fruitfully." This he has done most successfully. |
"Elder John Longden." Improvement Era. October 1969. pg. 11.
Elder John Longden 1898-1969 "I am young in spirit and can see the problems of the other fellow. My leanings have always been toward a missionary life, and I do feel that now, as never before, there is an excellent opportunity to preach the gospel. I have seen my own child laid away, have lost one home in the last depression, and numerous other things have happened to me which have certainly made me sure of the true values in life, so I do feel that if given the opportunity, I could help bring satisfaction, solace, and perhaps a little happiness to the lives of others." So wrote John Longden in May 1942. This attitude had charted his life for 43 years, and it was to guide him the remaining 27. Elder Longden, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, died August 30, 1969, at his Salt Lake City home. He was 70 years old. Elder Longden was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, November 4, 1898, to Thomas J. and Lizetta Taylor Longden. When he was ten years old, the family, converts to the Church, immigrated to Utah. He attended LDS High School, worked part-time as a cash boy at ZCMI, studied at LDS Business College and the University of Utah, and took correspondence courses in business law. His interests and natural ability in music and drama motivated him to study voice, violin, and drama. In time he was on stage throughout Utah and Idaho, playing juvenile and character parts, singing, and playing the violin. In 1921 he accepted a call to the Central States Mission, where he presided over the North Texas ' Conference. Returning home in 1924, he became an assistant MIA superintendent in the Salt Lake Stake, began work as a life insurance salesman, and married Frances LaRue Carr in the Salt Lake Temple. A year later he was called as bishop to the Nineteenth Ward, where he served for five years. During those years he changed his employment to electrical sales, a field in which he labored until he retired in 1960. He served as a sales representative for General Electric Company and Utah Power and Light Company, area manager of Westinghouse Electric Supply Company, and area manager of National Electric Products Corporation. He and Sister Longden were blessed with three daughters. The firstborn, Helen Margaret, passed away in childhood. The two other daughters are Mrs. Grant (Gail) Hickman and Mrs. Loren C. (Sharon) Dunn. They and their eight children have given much joy to the Longdens. The couple's great support of youth activities found constant use in the Church. Sister Longden served 13 years in the general presidency of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. Brother Longden served as assistant superintendent of the MIA in the Yale Ward; later he was called to the high council in the Salt Lake and Highland stakes. During World War II, he served as assistant servicemen's coordinator in the Salt Lake City, Boise, and Las Vegas areas, and at Bushnell General Hospital, Brigham City, Utah. In May 1950, he was appointed a member of the General Church Welfare Committee, and on October 6, 1951, he was sustained as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. He had been known in the Salt Lake City area for his generosity in sharing his musical and speaking abilities through singing and speaking at funerals and Church gatherings. These same abilities were now to be shared Churchwide. Among his general Church assignments were supervision of Church units in eastern Canada and Alaska, the islands of the Pacific, and most recently the British Isles. At the Tabernacle pulpit during general conference, he once reflected how he had attended meetings in a little corrugated, galvanized meetinghouse in Oldham, and then, 56 years later, he had gone again to Oldham to dedicate a beautiful modern chapel. Active in civic affairs, he served as vice-president of the Salt Lake Rotary and president of the Bonneville Knife and Fork Club, and was a member of the Salt Lake Country Club and Alta Club. He also served a term as president of the Intermountain Electrical Association, as a director of the area Red Cross, and for 20 years as a member of the appeal board of District 2 of the Selective Service. Funeral services on September 3, in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, were under the direction of the First Presidency. Speakers at the funeral noted that Elder Longden would long be remembered for his gentlemanly manner, his "rules of conduct for missionaries," and his behavior in expressing his firm belief, that people of all races and creeds are the children of God. He will be genuinely missed. |
"In Memoriam - Elder John Longden." Relief Society Magazine. November 1969. pg. 815.
IN MEMORIAM Elder John Longden Assistant to the Council of the Twelve November 4, 1898-August 30, 1969 Elder John Longden, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, passed away August 30, 1969 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had served as an Assistant to the Twelve since 1951. During that time he fulfilled many important callings for the Church, and he endeared himself to members throughout the world. Elder Longden was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, on November 4, 1898, the son of Thomas J. and Lizetta Taylor Longden. The family emigrated to the United States and Salt Lake City ten years later. Elder Longden was graduated from LDS Business College and attended the University of Utah. He served as a missionary in the Central States Mission. Elder Longden had a successful business career. At the time of his retirement he was area manager for National Electric Products Corporation. Interested in music and dramatic arts. Elder Longden studied voice and dramatics. He was well-known throughout the area as a gifted singer. He gave freely of his talent, singing at Church services, weddings, funerals, and other gatherings. In 1924 Elder Longden married LaRue Carr in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three daughters, Mrs. Grant (Gail) Hickman, and Mrs. Loren C. (Sharon) Dunn. The first daughter, Helen Margaret, died in childhood. There are three grandsons and five granddaughters. Elder Longden was always devoted to the gospel and served in several MIA superintendencies, as bishop, and as high councilman in two stakes, and on the General Church Welfare Committee prior to his call as a General Authority. As a General Authority, he served on the General Priesthood Committee and several youth committees. At the time of his death he was supervising all stakes and missions in the British Isles. Previously he had supervised missions in the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. The General Board and Relief Society members in all stakes and missions of the Church extend heartfelt sympathy to the family of Elder Longden and to his many friends. He has left a heritage in faith and dedication to the gospel for others to follow. |