Mormon Church Leader. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was the 15th president of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Beginning in 1995 he led the church through a period of significant international expansion and made its giant collection of genealogical records available to the world via the world wide web as a means to help spread the Mormon faith. A marked change from prior leadership, he was known for embracing the news media to promote understanding of the church and was comfortable answering questions about his religion. Awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America; honored by the National Conference for Community and Justice for his contributions to tolerance and understanding in the world; and received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 2004 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He married Marjorie Pay on 29 April 1937 in the Salt Lake Temple. Died of complications of old age in Salt Lake City.

Mormon Church Leader. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was the 15th president of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Beginning in 1995 he led the church through a period of significant international expansion and made its giant collection of genealogical records available to the world via the world wide web as a means to help spread the Mormon faith. A marked change from prior leadership, he was known for embracing the news media to promote understanding of the church and was comfortable answering questions about his religion. Awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America; honored by the National Conference for Community and Justice for his contributions to tolerance and understanding in the world; and received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 2004 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He married Marjorie Pay on 29 April 1937 in the Salt Lake Temple. Died of complications of old age in Salt Lake City.

Bio by: Fred Beisser