Thorpe B. Isaacson
Born: 6 September 1898
Called as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 12 December 1946
Called as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 6 April 1952
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 30 September 1961
Called as Counselor in the First Presidency: 28 October 1965 (David O. McKay)
Returned as Assistant to the Twelve: 23 January 1970
Died: 9 November 1970
Called as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 12 December 1946
Called as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric: 6 April 1952
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 30 September 1961
Called as Counselor in the First Presidency: 28 October 1965 (David O. McKay)
Returned as Assistant to the Twelve: 23 January 1970
Died: 9 November 1970
Biographical Articles
Relief Society Magazine, February 1947, Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed to the Presiding Bishopric
Improvement Era, December 1961, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Retiring First Counselor, Presiding Bishopric
Relief Society Magazine, December 1961, Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, December 1965, Joseph Fielding Smith, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Appointed to the First Presidency
Improvement Era, December 1970, Thorpe B. Isaacson 1898-1970
Improvement Era, December 1961, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Retiring First Counselor, Presiding Bishopric
Relief Society Magazine, December 1961, Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, December 1965, Joseph Fielding Smith, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Appointed to the First Presidency
Improvement Era, December 1970, Thorpe B. Isaacson 1898-1970
Robinson, Thomas E. "Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed to the Presiding Bishopric." Relief Society Magazine. February 1947. pg. 86-87.
Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed to Presiding Bishopric
Elder Thomas E. Robinson, M.D.
First Counselor, Yale Ward Bishopric, Salt Lake City, Utah
BROTHER Thorpe B. Isaacson, who was appointed Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, December 14, 1946, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Brother Marvin O. Ashton, was born September 6, 1898 in Ephraim, Utah, the son of Martin Isaacson and Mary Jemima Beal Isaacson.
Born of goodly parents, he also can be justly proud of others of his progenitors. His grandfather, Peter Isaacson, was the only member of his family to join the Church in Denmark. He crossed the plains with the pioneers in 1855, and was soon sent by the Church authorities to help colonize Arizona. He later did much of the fine carpentry work on the Manti Temple, and lived in Ephraim for many years. He served the Church and the community faithfully until his death at the age of ninety-two.
Henry Beal, grandfather on his mother's side, was president of Sanpete Stake for many years. While serving in this capacity, he took a very active part in the founding of Snow College.
Brother Isaacson is a graduate of Snow College. He attended the Brigham Young University, the Utah State Agricultural College, and the University of California. He has had seventeen years of teaching and coaching experience with the youth of Utah and Idaho. He is more than favorably known among these many thousands of young people. A great athlete himself, he has inspired many boys to self-improvement. He has a very active and alert interest in all sports, and in the boys who play them.
Brother Isaacson married Lula Maughan Jones of Wellsville on June 16, 1920, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children, two of whom are living at the present time: Joyce Isaacson Tribe, twenty-three, the wife of Royal L. Tribe; and Richard A. Isaacson, twenty, now laboring in the New England Mission. Finer children no parents could want.
Brother Isaacson has been outstanding in his business achievements. At the time of his new appointment, he was general agent for Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. He was named the most outstanding insurance man for that company in 1944.
He has had a fine experience in the Church. He was president of the elders' quorum in the Yale Ward before being called into the bishopric. In September 1941, Brother Isaacson was chosen by Bishop A. G. Olafson of Yale Ward to be his first counselor. While serving in this capacity, he had charge of the teachers' quorum, and for five years this quorum led the stake.
He is a fine "boys' man." He inspires boys because he knows their problems and can place himself easily and naturally on their level.
Brother Isaacson is a natural leader of men; he places responsibility well; and he has the capacity to inspire men to discharge well their responsibilities. He has the ability to discern problems quickly and to make rapid disposition of them. These attributes will aid him, materially, in the discharge of his new responsibilities where great wisdom must be associated with great dispatch in handling so many of the temporal affairs of the Church.
Brother and Sister Isaacson have also drunk deeply of one of the greatest of spiritual experiences. They lost their first child in infancy. Their only son was stricken with poliomyelitis and hovered close to death for several days. In this time of deep tribulation, came, perhaps, the deepest spiritual experience for Brother and Sister Isaacson. They came to know God, and God recognized their supplication in behalf of their son. Ever since, there has existed a closeness between this family and God that will only be further enriched by the experiences which will be forthcoming in Brother Isaacson's new calling. He will be respected for his ability, as well as for his deep concern for the welfare of his country and of his fellowmen, generally. That the Lord will magnify him further, that he may meet the responsibilities of his new calling, is the prayer all members of the Church have in their hearts for him.
Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed to Presiding Bishopric
Elder Thomas E. Robinson, M.D.
First Counselor, Yale Ward Bishopric, Salt Lake City, Utah
BROTHER Thorpe B. Isaacson, who was appointed Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, December 14, 1946, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Brother Marvin O. Ashton, was born September 6, 1898 in Ephraim, Utah, the son of Martin Isaacson and Mary Jemima Beal Isaacson.
Born of goodly parents, he also can be justly proud of others of his progenitors. His grandfather, Peter Isaacson, was the only member of his family to join the Church in Denmark. He crossed the plains with the pioneers in 1855, and was soon sent by the Church authorities to help colonize Arizona. He later did much of the fine carpentry work on the Manti Temple, and lived in Ephraim for many years. He served the Church and the community faithfully until his death at the age of ninety-two.
Henry Beal, grandfather on his mother's side, was president of Sanpete Stake for many years. While serving in this capacity, he took a very active part in the founding of Snow College.
Brother Isaacson is a graduate of Snow College. He attended the Brigham Young University, the Utah State Agricultural College, and the University of California. He has had seventeen years of teaching and coaching experience with the youth of Utah and Idaho. He is more than favorably known among these many thousands of young people. A great athlete himself, he has inspired many boys to self-improvement. He has a very active and alert interest in all sports, and in the boys who play them.
Brother Isaacson married Lula Maughan Jones of Wellsville on June 16, 1920, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children, two of whom are living at the present time: Joyce Isaacson Tribe, twenty-three, the wife of Royal L. Tribe; and Richard A. Isaacson, twenty, now laboring in the New England Mission. Finer children no parents could want.
Brother Isaacson has been outstanding in his business achievements. At the time of his new appointment, he was general agent for Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. He was named the most outstanding insurance man for that company in 1944.
He has had a fine experience in the Church. He was president of the elders' quorum in the Yale Ward before being called into the bishopric. In September 1941, Brother Isaacson was chosen by Bishop A. G. Olafson of Yale Ward to be his first counselor. While serving in this capacity, he had charge of the teachers' quorum, and for five years this quorum led the stake.
He is a fine "boys' man." He inspires boys because he knows their problems and can place himself easily and naturally on their level.
Brother Isaacson is a natural leader of men; he places responsibility well; and he has the capacity to inspire men to discharge well their responsibilities. He has the ability to discern problems quickly and to make rapid disposition of them. These attributes will aid him, materially, in the discharge of his new responsibilities where great wisdom must be associated with great dispatch in handling so many of the temporal affairs of the Church.
Brother and Sister Isaacson have also drunk deeply of one of the greatest of spiritual experiences. They lost their first child in infancy. Their only son was stricken with poliomyelitis and hovered close to death for several days. In this time of deep tribulation, came, perhaps, the deepest spiritual experience for Brother and Sister Isaacson. They came to know God, and God recognized their supplication in behalf of their son. Ever since, there has existed a closeness between this family and God that will only be further enriched by the experiences which will be forthcoming in Brother Isaacson's new calling. He will be respected for his ability, as well as for his deep concern for the welfare of his country and of his fellowmen, generally. That the Lord will magnify him further, that he may meet the responsibilities of his new calling, is the prayer all members of the Church have in their hearts for him.
"Thorpe B. Isaacson, Retiring First Counselor, Presiding Bishopric, New Assistant to the Council of the Twelve." Improvement Era. December 1961. pg. 909.
THORPE B. ISAACSON RETIRING FIRST COUNSELOR, PRESIDING BISHOPRIC, NEW ASSISTANT TO THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE Praising Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson, who had just been sustained an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, Bishop Carl W. Buehner, who had served for nine years in the Presiding Bishopric with Elder Isaacson, declared in his conference address, "I have enjoyed my labors with Bishop Isaacson; and we have had a great time together. We have been in many council meetings. We have been on our knees many times, invoking the blessings of the Almighty in the great responsibilities that are those of members of the Presiding Bishopric." In the business world, Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson was a leader in the life insurance business in the West and at one time was selected as his company's "most valuable representative among all of the agents in America." During these days he also served energetically as second counselor in the Yale Ward bishopric until chosen, December 14, 1946, by Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards to be his second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. He was ordained a bishop on that day, and six years later, April 6, 1952, he was set apart as first counselor to Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin, which position he held until September 30, 1961, when he was chosen an assistant to the Council of the Twelve. On June 16, 1920, in the Salt Lake Temple he married Lulu Maughan Jones of Wellsville, Cache County, Utah. They have two children, Richard A. Isaacson and Lulu Joyce Isaacson Tribe. "I bear testimony to you," declared Elder Isaacson in his talk at the last general conference, "that I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, as I know President David O. McKay is a prophet of God. There isn't a day that I do not pray for President McKay." |
Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson
Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson and his family, front row, left to right, Peter (son of Richard A. Isaacson and Gayle Olsen Isaacson); Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson; Judith; Sister Isaacson; Rebecca Tribe.
Back row, Richard A. Isaacson and his wife Gayle Olsen Isaacson; Royal L. Tribe and his wife Joyce Isaacson Tribe; Royal L. Tribe III. |
Richards, LeGrand. "Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve." Relief Society Magazine. December 1961. pg. 805-807.
Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Elder LeGrand Richards Of the Council of the Twelve WHEN Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson was sustained in the General Conference of the Church on Saturday, September 30, 1961, as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, his friends from far and near who appreciate his faith and his ability were very pleased. One of our Articles of Faith reads: ''We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy . . . ." We are sure that Elder Isaacson was so called. When Bishop Marvin O. Ashton passed away fifteen years ago, I was privileged, as the Presiding Bishop, to choose a counselor to take his place. I selected Elder Isaacson because I thought his heart was right before the Lord and his fellow men. He was then serving in the bishopric in my ward. My family and I were very favorably impressed with him. When I mentioned his name to President George Albert Smith, also a member of our ward, he heartily approved my recommendation. When President Smith asked him if he would be willing to serve as my counselor, he responded in the affirmative and asked if he might take the matter up with the officers of the insurance company, for which he had been general agent for many years. He wanted to see whether they would permit him to retain his agency and appoint a manager to insure him against the loss of his continuing income. He stated that if his company would not grant him this request, he would tell them to take the business. Another experience that impressed me with the sincerity of his heart was during the sickness of his son Richard, who had been stricken with polio. Elder and Sister Isaacson came to the office of the Presiding Bishopric and asked us to kneel with them in prayer for their son who was in an iron lung in the hospital. Elder Isaacson promised that if the Lord would spare his son, he would do anything he was asked to do. The Lord spared his son, and shortly thereafter he was called as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. Elder Isaacson has great faith in the power of prayer. He comes from sturdy Scandinavian parentage on both his father's and mother's ancestral lines. He tells of his grandfather who used to pray over the sacks of wheat he planted in his field to insure an ample harvest. He is very considerate of those in trouble. He writes more personal letters of encouragement than any man it has been my privilege to know. When I was sick with a heart attack in Idaho, he was then serving in the ward bishopric. He was the first one to send me a comforting letter. When he was sustained as my counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, his first request was that his assignment might be with the senior members of the Aaronic Priesthood and the men who held no Priesthood. He has had a wonderful influence upon the lives of many of these men. Some of them, even men of prominence, have been brought into activity in the Church through his influence and efforts. He is very sensitive and has tender feelings. Whenever he learns that he has offended someone or that someone has aught against him, he does not permit time to pass until he attempts to rectify any such offenses or ill feelings. He has a deep love for the Prophet of the Lord, President David O. McKay. His wife, Lula Maughan Jones, is a faithful, capable Latter-day Saint, and a real support to her husband. They have had three children, two still living, Mrs. Joyce L. Tribe, and their son, Richard Alonzo. In this new call that has come to him, Elder Isaacson will have a much greater opportunity for participation in the spiritual affairs of the Church. I am sure he will prove to be a great blessing to the saints and an effective Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. |
Boyart Studio
THORPE B. ISAACSON Boyart Studio
ELDER THORPE B. ISAACSON AND HIS FAMILY Front row, left to right: Peter Isaacson (son of Richard A. Isaacson and Gayle Olsen Isaacson); Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson; Judith Isaacson; Liila Jones Isaacson (wife of Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson); Rebecca Tribe. Back row, left to right: Richard A. Isaacson and his wife Gayle Olsen Isaacson; Royal L. Tribe and his wife Joyce Isaacson Tribe; Royal L. Tribe III. |
Zobell, Albert L., Jr. "Joseph Fielding Smith, Thorpe B. Isaacson Appointed to First Presidency." Improvement Era. December 1965. pg. 1078-1081.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Thorpe B. Isaacson, Appointed to First Presidency By Albert L. Zobell, Jr. Research Editor Citing the increased work that has come to the First Presidency through the rapid growth of the Church, President David 0. McKay on October 29, 1965 announced the appointment of two additional counselors to serve in the First Presidency. They are President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Council of the Twelve and President Thorpe Beal Isaacson, who has served as an assistant to the Twelve since October 1961. The Quorum' of the First Presidency now consists of President McKay and his counselors Presidents Hugh B. Brown, N. Eldon Tanner, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Thorpe B. Isaacson. Neither President Smith nor President Isaacson needs to be introduced to the membership of the Church. For many years both have labored tirelessly in their assignments in the church offices, as well as meeting with the Saints each weekend at stake conferences. President Smith was born in Salt Lake City, July 19, 1876. At the time of his birth his father Joseph F. Smith was a member of the Council of the Twelve. Later he was chosen to be a member of the First Presidency and became the sixth President of the Church. After completing his formal education at the old LDS University in Salt Lake City, young Joseph Fielding Smith fulfilled a mission to Great Britain. In 1906 he was sustained as an assistant church historian, where he served until 1921, when he was sustained as church historian, a position he holds today. Meanwhile at the April 1910 general conference, he was sustained as a member of the Council of the Twelve, where he joined Elder David O. McKay, who had been first sustained in that office four years earlier. They have served together in the leading councils of the Church for more than fifty-five years. President Smith has had wide experience in genealogical activity. He has served in most of the offices of the Genealogical Society of the Church, including being its president. He has served in the presidency of the Salt Lake Temple for nearly twenty years and as president of that temple for four years. In the Church he is a scriptorian without peer. His popular "Your Question" has been a welcomed addition to the pages of The Improvement Era since May 1953. It would be difficult to find a subject of church doctrine or history that President Smith has not written extensively upon in magazine articles, pamphlets, and books. He has long been a member of the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University. He married Louie Emyla Shurtliff in April 1898. He was widowed with two small daughters. In November 1908 he married Ethel Georgina Reynolds, who became the mother of five sons and four daughters. After her passing he married Jessie Ella Evans in April 1938. President David O. McKay has announced that President Smith will continue to maintain his status as president of the Twelve. President Isaacson was born in Ephraim, Utah, September 6, 1898 of pioneer heritage. He attended Snow Academy, Brigham Young University, Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University), and the University of California. He was in education for a number of years and has been a successful insurance executive for many years. As a young man President Isaacson served as president of an elders' quorum and as a worker in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. He was called to full-time activity in the Church in December 1946, when he was appointed second counselor to Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards. At that time he was serving as first counselor in the Yale (Salt Lake City) Ward bishopric. He possessed the keen insight and viewpoint of youth (at Snow Academy he had been captain of the basketball team and had been named to the all-state team, and he had coached high school teams), but he also possessed a priceless gift: he knew the way of assisting the adult members of the Aaronic Priesthood to find more purpose in life. He served as first counselor to Presiding Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin after Elder Richards was called to the Twelve. The Church well remembers his great pronouncements on such subjects as prayer and the rightful place of women, as he has spoken in general and stake conference sessions. Many a bishop and stake leader has received additional strength for his task after listening to President Isaacson, in an early Sabbath-morning meeting, describe in detail how the responsibilities of leadership should be distributed, making the "yoke easy" and the "burden light" an accomplished fact. President Isaacson has served for twelve years on the Board of Trustees, Utah State University, and was seven times elected president of the board. He was also appointed a member of the Board of Regents, University of Utah. He has given of his time to civic and government service. For fifteen years he was a director of the Utah Symphony. Several years ago he was assigned by the federal government to inspect foreign-aid operations, and consequently visited France, Italy, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iran. He was recently appointed consultant to the United States Commissioner of Education. He is also serving as a member of Utah's Little Hoover Commission. He married Lula Maughan Jones in June 1920. The couple have been blessed with two sons (one of whom is deceased) and a daughter. The Improvement Era joins the membership of the Church in welcoming President Smith and President Isaacson into the leading council of the Church. The appointment of two additional counselors in the First Presidency by President McKay is not without precedent in church history. The recorded story of the Church is sketchy at times. But when one recalls the history, it is marvelous that so much of it has been preserved. At a given time the number of brethren who stand at the head of the Church has been by no means constant. As the Church was organized in April 1830, Joseph Smith, Jr., was sustained as First Elder and Oliver Cowdery as Second Elder. The Prophet was sustained January 25, 1832 as President of the High Priesthood at a conference which was held at Amherst, Ohio. Frederick G. Williams was called by revelation as a counselor to Joseph Smith in March 1832. (D&C 81:1.) Popularly it is thought that the First Presidency began to function March 18, 1833 as Elders Sidney Rigdon and Williams were set apart as counselors to the Prophet. They were in fact counselors in the presidency of the High Priesthood. The record states: "Elder Rigdon expressed a desire that himself and Brother Frederick G. Williams should be ordained to the offices to which they had been called, viz., those of Presidents of the High Priesthood, and to be equal in holding the keys of the kingdom with Brother Joseph Smith, Jun., according to the revelation given on the 8th of March, 1833. [See ibid., 90:6.] Accordingly I laid my hands on Brothers Sidney and Frederick, and ordained them to take part with me in holding the keys of this last kingdom, and to assist in the Presidency of the High Priesthood, as my Counselors. . . ." (DHC, 1, 334.) One of the great responsibilities of the First Presidency today is the presidency of the High Priesthood. The words "First Presidency" had been used in a revelation in November 1831. (D&C 68:15, 19, 22.) The term "First Presidency" as it is understood today was used as early as August 17, 1835, when, during a "general assembly of the Church" at Kirtland, "Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon, members of the First Presidency, (Presidents Joseph Smith, Jun., and Frederick G. Williams being absent on a visit to the Saints in Michigan,) . . . proceeded to organize the whole assembly. . . ." (DHC, 2, 243.) There are four of the brethren listed in that First Presidency. At a conference of the "whole Church" at Kirtland, Sunday, September 3, 1837: "President Smith then presented Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams as his counselors, and to constitute with himself the three first Presidents of the Church. . . . "President Smith then introduced Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, Sen. [his father], Hyrum Smith [his brother], and John Smith [his uncle] for assistant counselors. These last four, together with the first three, are to be considered the heads of the Church. Carried unanimously." (Ibid., 2, 509.) When a President dies, the Twelve are the head, functioning until that quorum meet specifically to select a new President of the Church. Following the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph, that period was thirty months. Since the passing of President Wilford Woodruff, and obedient to a revelation received by President Lorenzo Snow at that time, a new President has been named and the First Presidency again organized within a matter of days. As the forty-third general conference of the Church neared its close, April 8, 1873, Brigham Young was sustained as President, with the following counselors: George A. Smith, Daniel H. Wells (these brethren had been serving as counselors respectively since 1868 and 1857), Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Albert Carrington, John W. Young, and George Q. Cannon. Prior to this sustaining, President Young said "he had now two counselors to aid him as President of the Church, and he purposed selecting five more. According to the order of the Church, he had the privilege of having seven brethren to act in this capacity." (Millennial Star, 35 [May 13, 1873], 292.) At the October 1873 conference Brigham Young was sustained as "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world. "George A. Smith, Daniel H. Wells, Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Albert Carrington, John W. Young, George Q. Cannon, Counselors to President Young." (Journal History, October 8, 1873, p. 2.) No one was designated as first, second, or seventh counselor. President Young was in southern Utah in April 1874, and the annual conference was not held until May. There were sustained: "George A. Smith and Daniel H. Wells, counsellors to President Brigham Young. "Lorenzo Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Albert Carrington, John W. Young, and George Q. Cannon, Assistant Counsellors to President Brigham Young." (Ibid., May 9, 1874, p. 1.) Following the death of President George A. Smith, at the October 1876 conference "John W. Young and Daniel H. Wells," were presented as "counselors to President Brigham Young." That left four assistant counselors. (Ibid., October 7, 1876, p. 2.) Following the death of President Brigham Young, Elders John W. Young and Wells were sustained as "Counselors to the Twelve Apostles." (Ibid., October 6, 1877, p. 2; April 8, 1878, p. 1.) The four recent assistant counselors took their places in the Council of the Twelve: Elders Snow, Brigham Young, Jr., Carrington, and Cannon. Elders John W. Young and Wells were sustained as "counselors to the Twelve Apostles" for many years. Elder Young absented himself for a time in the East on personal business, but was resustained. Elder Wells was sustained for the last time in October 1890, and at the October 1891 conference, "Brother [George Q. Cannon] stated a letter had been received from Brother John W. Young requesting that his name be not presented at this time." (Ibid., October 6, 1891, p. 3.) In June 1961 President David O. McKay also appointed an additional counselor to the First Presidency when he named President Hugh B. Brown to the position. President Brown was later named second counselor when President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., passed away that October 6th. |
"Thorpe B. Isaacson 1898-1970." Improvement Era. December 1970. pg. 13.
Thorpe B. Isaacson 1898-1970
Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, 1961-1965, 1970
Counselor to the First Presidency, 1965-1970
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, 1952-1961
Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson counseled his sons: "If there is any work that has to be left undone, it must not be the work of the Church." This remark characterized his devotion to the Church, expressed in tremendous spiritual and physical energy. For Elder Isaacson, the principles of the gospel were the sources from which he directed his great enthusiasm in many fields of endeavor-in athletics, education, business, civic affairs, and the work of the Lord.
Elder Isaacson was born September 6, 1898, in Ephraim, a little farming community in central Utah. His grandparents accepted the gospel in Europe, and it was instilled in him by his pioneer parents, Martin and Mary Beal Isaacson.
An outstanding athlete in his youth, he attended Snow Academy (now Snow College) at Ephraim, Brigham Young University, Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University), and the University of California at Berkeley.
While teaching in Box Elder County, he met Lula Maughan Jones, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple June 16, 1920. Following their marriage he worked as a teacher, coach, principal, and a faculty member at various schools in Utah and Idaho. He later became a successful life insurance executive, and one year was selected as the most outstanding life insurance man in America.
Elder Isaacson's civic and church service was greatly diversified. He was chairman of the Church's historical sites committee, vice-president of the board of trustees of Brigham Young University, vice-president of the Church Board of Education, president of the board of trustees of Utah State University, and a member of the University of Utah board of regents.
Serving in government appointments, Elder Isaacson was a special consultant to the U.S. Commissioner of Education, consultant in U.S. foreign aid administration, and a member of Utah's Little Hoover Commission. He also served on several business and civic boards of directors.
Elder Isaacson was sustained as second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric December 12, 1946; as first counselor to the Presiding Bishop April 6, 1952; as Assistant to the Council of the Twelve September 30, 1961; and set apart and sustained as counselor in the First Presidency to President David O. McKay, October 28, 1965. He was released from that position when President McKay died in January of this year.
President McKay headed the list of distinguished speakers at a public program honoring Elder Isaacson at the Snow College auditorium in 1955.
"As I see it," said President McKay, "Bishop Isaacson's outstanding success in so many fields springs from three principal sources. First is his strength of character and integrity inherited from his forebears. Second would be his environment-his early life spent in this country. And third would be what he has made of himself, his own industry and effort."
As a General Authority, Elder Isaacson traveled into many parts of the Church, where his friendly spirit and enthusiasm were well received. His special attention to the program for adult members of the Aaronic Priesthood stimulated efforts in this area on a Churchwide scale.
Elder Isaacson died on November 9, 1970. Funeral services were held two days later in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
For Elder Isaacson, death came as a blessing at this time, releasing him from the inactivity that ill health had forced upon him in recent years. But even in his illness he maintained a keen interest in the affairs of the Church.
Survivors include Sister Isaacson; a daughter, Mrs. Royal (Joyce) Tribe; a son, Richard A. Isaacson; nine grandchildren, four brothers, and one sister.
Elder Isaacson's great enthusiasm for the gospel of Jesus Christ will be missed in contemporary Church affairs. "If there is any work that has to be left undone, it must not be the work of the Church" may well be good counsel for all of us.
Thorpe B. Isaacson 1898-1970
Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, 1961-1965, 1970
Counselor to the First Presidency, 1965-1970
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, 1952-1961
Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson counseled his sons: "If there is any work that has to be left undone, it must not be the work of the Church." This remark characterized his devotion to the Church, expressed in tremendous spiritual and physical energy. For Elder Isaacson, the principles of the gospel were the sources from which he directed his great enthusiasm in many fields of endeavor-in athletics, education, business, civic affairs, and the work of the Lord.
Elder Isaacson was born September 6, 1898, in Ephraim, a little farming community in central Utah. His grandparents accepted the gospel in Europe, and it was instilled in him by his pioneer parents, Martin and Mary Beal Isaacson.
An outstanding athlete in his youth, he attended Snow Academy (now Snow College) at Ephraim, Brigham Young University, Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University), and the University of California at Berkeley.
While teaching in Box Elder County, he met Lula Maughan Jones, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple June 16, 1920. Following their marriage he worked as a teacher, coach, principal, and a faculty member at various schools in Utah and Idaho. He later became a successful life insurance executive, and one year was selected as the most outstanding life insurance man in America.
Elder Isaacson's civic and church service was greatly diversified. He was chairman of the Church's historical sites committee, vice-president of the board of trustees of Brigham Young University, vice-president of the Church Board of Education, president of the board of trustees of Utah State University, and a member of the University of Utah board of regents.
Serving in government appointments, Elder Isaacson was a special consultant to the U.S. Commissioner of Education, consultant in U.S. foreign aid administration, and a member of Utah's Little Hoover Commission. He also served on several business and civic boards of directors.
Elder Isaacson was sustained as second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric December 12, 1946; as first counselor to the Presiding Bishop April 6, 1952; as Assistant to the Council of the Twelve September 30, 1961; and set apart and sustained as counselor in the First Presidency to President David O. McKay, October 28, 1965. He was released from that position when President McKay died in January of this year.
President McKay headed the list of distinguished speakers at a public program honoring Elder Isaacson at the Snow College auditorium in 1955.
"As I see it," said President McKay, "Bishop Isaacson's outstanding success in so many fields springs from three principal sources. First is his strength of character and integrity inherited from his forebears. Second would be his environment-his early life spent in this country. And third would be what he has made of himself, his own industry and effort."
As a General Authority, Elder Isaacson traveled into many parts of the Church, where his friendly spirit and enthusiasm were well received. His special attention to the program for adult members of the Aaronic Priesthood stimulated efforts in this area on a Churchwide scale.
Elder Isaacson died on November 9, 1970. Funeral services were held two days later in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
For Elder Isaacson, death came as a blessing at this time, releasing him from the inactivity that ill health had forced upon him in recent years. But even in his illness he maintained a keen interest in the affairs of the Church.
Survivors include Sister Isaacson; a daughter, Mrs. Royal (Joyce) Tribe; a son, Richard A. Isaacson; nine grandchildren, four brothers, and one sister.
Elder Isaacson's great enthusiasm for the gospel of Jesus Christ will be missed in contemporary Church affairs. "If there is any work that has to be left undone, it must not be the work of the Church" may well be good counsel for all of us.