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Show Administration of Clarence D. Rich On 17 May 1947, Elders Joseph F. Merrill and Harold B. Lee came to Morgan under instructions from the First Presidency to call a new stake presidency for the Morgan Stake. At the first general session of conference on Sunday morning, 18 May, Elder Merrill explained to the congregation that President Sylvester Heiner and his counselors would be released. He expressed thanks for their many years of faithful service. Then, at the afternoon session, he presented the name of Clarence Dickson Rich to be president of the Morgan Stake, with Raymond P. Larson as first counselor and Fernando C. Jensen as second counselor. Roy E. Francis was retained as stake clerk.1 A testimonial was held in the stake tabernacle 8 June 1947, honoring the retiring stake presidency and high council. Elder Henry D. Moyle, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, represented the General Authorities. The tabernacle was decorated with flowers, and members of the stake filled it to honor the retiring stake president and members of the high council and their wives. Each retiring official was given a token of remembrance for his faithfulness.2 Brother Jensen had been serving as bishop of the Morgan Ward prior to his call to the stake presidency. At the first high council meeting on 24 May, Frank B. Rich was approved to replace President Jensen as bishop of the Morgan Ward.3 Within the next six months three more wards were reorganized. Clifford Spendlove was called as bishop of the Milton Ward, Russell Rock as bishop of the Peterson Ward, and Raymond Wiscombe as bishop of the Richville Ward.4 During President Rich's administration many General Authorities visited the Morgan Stake. _ They included Joseph F. Merrill, Harold B. Lee, Raymond p. Larson Mhen E.Bowen, Spencer W.Kimball, Stephen L Richards, Mark E. Peterson, Matthew Cowley, Henry D. Moyle, Joseph Fielding Smith (members of the Quorum of Twelve); Thomas E. McKay, and Clifford E. Young (Assistants to the Twelve); LeGrand Richards and Thorpe B. Isaacson (Presiding Bishopric); Levi Edgar Young, Milton R. Hunter, Antoine R. Ivins, and S. Dilworth Young (First Council of Seventy). 167 |
