Jacob Gates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jacob Gates |
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| First Seven Presidents of the Seventy | |
| April 6, 1860 – April 14, 1892 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 9, 1811 St. Johnsbury, Vermont, United States |
| Died | April 14, 1892 (aged 80) Provo, Utah Territory, United States |
Jacob Gates (born March 9, 1811 – died April 14, 1892) was an important early leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a member of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy. This was a group of leaders who helped guide the church.
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Who Was Jacob Gates?
Jacob Gates was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in the United States. In 1833, he married Mary Snow. That same year, he was baptized by Orson Pratt. This meant he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Early Life and Moves
After getting married, Jacob and Mary moved. In 1834, they moved near Liberty, Missouri. Later, in 1836, they moved again to Caldwell County, Missouri. These moves were common for early members of the church.
Important Missions
Jacob Gates spent much of his life serving as a missionary. He traveled to many places to share his beliefs. He completed six different missions during his lifetime:
- First mission in the Midwest (January 1836 – June 1836)
- Mission to Canada (May 1839 – October 1839)
- Second mission in the Midwest (July 1841 – October 1841)
- Mission to New England (June 1843 – May 1844)
- First mission to England (February 1850 – March 1853)
- Second mission to England (September 1859 – August 1861)
In October 1844, Jacob Gates was made the president of the fourth quorum of Seventy. A quorum is a group of church leaders.
A Special Calling
In 1849, Jacob Gates met with Oliver Cowdery. Cowdery was one of the first people to see the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. Just before Cowdery passed away, he shared a powerful message with Jacob Gates:
Jacob, I want you to remember what I say to you. I am a dying man, and what would it profit me to tell you a lie? I know,' said he, 'that this Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. My eyes saw, my ears heard, and my understanding was touched, and I know that whereof I testified is true. It was no dream, no vain imagination of the mind-it was real.
This message was a strong witness to Jacob Gates about the truth of the Book of Mormon.
While Jacob Gates was on a mission in Liverpool, England, in 1859, Brigham Young wrote to him. Brigham Young was the church president at the time. He told Jacob that he had been called to be one of the seven presidents of the Seventy. Jacob was officially set apart for this role in 1862. However, the church members had already supported his calling on April 6, 1860. After Henry Harriman passed away in May 1891, Jacob Gates became the most senior president of the Seventy. He held this position until his own death in April 1892.
Serving the Community
Beyond his church duties, Jacob Gates also served in government. He was a member of the Utah Territorial Legislature from 1864 to 1867. He represented Washington and Kane counties. This meant he helped make laws and decisions for the Utah Territory.
Jacob Gates had 11 children. He passed away in Provo, Utah Territory.
