Robert L. Simpson
Born: 8 August 1915
Called as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 30 September 1961
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 6 April 1972
Called to First Quorum of the Seventy: 1 October 1976
Called as Second Counselor in the Young Men Presidency: 1985
Released from Young Men Presidency: 1986
Called as President of the Sunday School: 1986
Released from Sunday School Presidency: 1989
Became Emeritus General Authority: 30 September 1989
Died: 15 April 2003
Called as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 30 September 1961
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 6 April 1972
Called to First Quorum of the Seventy: 1 October 1976
Called as Second Counselor in the Young Men Presidency: 1985
Released from Young Men Presidency: 1986
Called as President of the Sunday School: 1986
Released from Sunday School Presidency: 1989
Became Emeritus General Authority: 30 September 1989
Died: 15 April 2003
Talks on Church WebsiteOct 1971 - "Strengthen Thy Brethren"
Apr 1972 - Courts of Love Oct 1972 - Pollution of the Mind Apr 1973 - "Go, and Do Thou Likewise" Oct 1973 - Our Fundamental Obligation: The Priesthood Oct 1974 - The Most Vital Information Oct 1975 - Do It Apr 1976 - These Four Things Oct 1976 - The Lord's Support System Apr 1978 - "Not My Will, but Thine" Oct 1980 - The House of the Lord Apr 1982 - A Lasting Marriage Apr 1984 - The Simplicity of Gospel Truths Apr 1987 - No Shortcuts Image source: Improvement Era, December 1961
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Image source: Improvement Era, December 1961
Image source: Improvement Era, November 1967
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Biographical Articles
Improvement Era, December 1961, Robert L. Simpson of the Presiding Bishopric
Improvement Era, November 1967, Robert L. Simpson, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
Ensign, July 1972, Elder Robert L. Simpson
Ensign, July 2003, Robert L. Simpson Dies at Age 87
Improvement Era, November 1967, Robert L. Simpson, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
Ensign, July 1972, Elder Robert L. Simpson
Ensign, July 2003, Robert L. Simpson Dies at Age 87
Zobell, Albert L., Jr. "Robert L. Simpson of the Presiding Bishopric." Improvement Era. December 1961. pg. 912-913.
ROBERT L. SIMPSON OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC ALBERT L. ZOBELL, JR. RESEARCH EDITOR Elder Robert Leatham Simpson, whom Bishop Vandenberg selected as his first counselor, has only recently returned to his home in Southern California from presiding over the New Zealand Mission. Bishop Simpson, a native of Salt Lake City, was born August 8, 1915, to Heber C. and Lillie C. Leatham Simpson. Southern California has been his home since he was five. As a young man, in April 1937, he was called to serve in the New Zealand Mission. During the second month of his mission he dreamed that upon returning home he found the people of his ward all using the Maori tongue. He awoke abruptly, feeling that the native language of New Zealand would somehow be of use to him after his mission, and therefore he must put forth more effort in learning it. In this he was blessed, and when he was released in April 1940, he had a fair knowledge of it. Upon entering the Armed Forces in World War II he thought that his overseas assignment might take him again to New Zealand where he could perhaps assist President Matthew Cowley of the New Zealand Mission on a part-time basis in that land that was then woefully short of missionaries. His overseas assignment took him to Cairo, Egypt! There he found that he was not more than thirty minutes from a base of a Maori battalion. Sundays found him attending Sacrament meeting with those brethren, speaking to them in their own tongue, and sharing their problems. Bishop Simpson served as mission president in Inglewood (California) Stake from December 1940 to March 1943; as LDS co-ordinator for servicemen in Egypt, February 1943 to February 1946; Inglewood Stake high councilman March 31, 1946—February 1947; counselor in the Inglewood Ward bishopric, February 1947—September 1948; stake YMMIA superintendent, September 1948—December 1949; high councilman January 1950—August 1958, and was called as New Zealand Mission president in July 1958. He has also served as seminary teacher and seminary supervisor in the Inglewood area. He married Jelaire Kathryn Chandler June 24, 1942 in the Mesa Temple. They have two sons and a daughter. Bishop Simpson was ordained a bishop and set apart for his new position in the Church on October 6, 1961 by President Henry D. Moyle. |
Bishop Robert L. Simpson
The Bishop Robert L. Simpson family, left to right, Robert,
Sister Simpson, Steven, Bishop Simpson, and Christine. |
"Robert L. Simpson, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric." Improvement Era. November 1967. pg. 62.
ROBERT L. SIMPSON First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric Bishop Robert L. Simpson possesses an engaging smile, one that says, "I know something that can make you better, and I'm just seeking an opportunity to share it with you." Bishop Simpson was born August 8, 1915, at Salt Lake City, the son of Heber C. and Lille C. Leatham Simpson. The family moved to southern California when he was five. After graduating from Santa Monica City College, he was called to serve in the New Zealand Mission; and in being set apart, on April 14, 1937, he was blessed "with a knowledge of the people amongst whom you will labor." During the second month of his mission he dreamed that he had returned home and found his family and the people of his ward all speaking the Maori tongue and that he could not understand a word they said. Awakening, he had two thoughts: he must put forth more effort to learn the language, and this knowledge of the language would be of value to him beyond the term of his mission. He worked at it, and in a short time the promise of his blessing was fulfilled. When World War II began. Bishop Simpson was commissioned in the air force. Knowing that he might be assigned to a fighting front, he hoped it would be the South Seas, where he might again work with the Maori people. Instead, his air force unit was sent to Egypt. Within 48 hours he had discovered that at an adjacent base was an entire Maori battalion from New Zealand. Many of the South Sea islanders were homesick, and they welcomed the leisure-time counsel in their own tongue that he was able to give. On June 24, 1942, he married in the Arizona Temple Jelaire Kathryn Chandler, a native of Ogden who, like himself, had grown up in southern California. They have two sons and a daughter. Bishop Simpson served as a member of the Inglewood (California) Stake high council, then as counselor in his ward bishopric, stake mission president, and stake YMMIA superintendent. His vocation for 20 years was with the Pacific Telephone Company. Many returned missionaries have a desire to return to their mission area with their families. For Robert Simpson, this came true, for he was set apart as president of the New Zealand Mission July 28, 1958. He saw a temple and a college dedicated and two stakes organized, all within the confines of the mission. He was called as first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric at the October 1961 general conference. In this position he is concerned with the temporal affairs of the Church; he is concerned with youth; and his is concerned with people—all the people of the Church. |