Moses Thatcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moses Thatcher |
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| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| April 9, 1879 – April 6, 1896 | |
| End reason | Released from the Quorum by a vote of the church |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| April 9, 1879 – August 21, 1909 | |
| Reason | Deaths of Brigham Young and Orson Hyde |
| Reorganization at end of term |
No apostles ordained |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Moses Thatcher February 2, 1842 Sangamon County, Illinois, United States |
| Died | August 21, 1909 (aged 67) Logan, Utah, United States |
Moses Thatcher (born February 2, 1842 – died August 21, 1909) was an important leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as an apostle and was part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was very unusual for someone to leave the Quorum of the Twelve but still remain a respected member of the Church and keep his title as an apostle.
Early Life and Missions
Moses Thatcher was born in Sangamon County, Illinois. His parents were Hezekiah Thatcher and Alena Kitchen. In 1843, his family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They moved to Nauvoo, which was an important gathering place for Church members.
In 1846, his family traveled west with many other Church members. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in September 1847. In 1849, Moses and his family went to California. They hoped to find wealth during the Gold Rush. They returned to Utah Territory in 1857.
When Moses was 15, he served a mission for the Church. He returned in 1858. In 1859, his family settled in Cache Valley, Utah. Moses helped his father find places for canals and mills there.
Moses studied at the University of Deseret from 1860 to 1861. Later, from 1866 to 1868, he served another mission. This time, he went to the United Kingdom and France. He also became the Church's first mission president in Mexico.
Service as an Apostle
In April 1879, Moses Thatcher was called to be an apostle. He became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This happened after the death of another apostle, Orson Hyde.
From 1880 to 1898, Moses Thatcher helped lead the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA). This was a program for young men in the Church.
At a big Church meeting in April 1896, Moses Thatcher was removed from the Quorum of the Twelve. This was because he disagreed with other Church leaders about a new rule. This rule, sometimes called "the political Manifesto," said that Church leaders should get approval before running for public office. Moses Thatcher felt he could not sign this rule because he believed in political freedom.
Even though he left the Quorum, Moses Thatcher was not removed from the Church. He kept his title as an apostle until he died. He continued to support the Church and its leaders. Matthias F. Cowley was chosen to take his place in the Quorum of the Twelve.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving the Quorum of the Twelve, Moses Thatcher still supported the Church. He even spoke at the Reed Smoot hearings. These were important hearings held by the United States Senate.
Moses Thatcher passed away at his home in Logan, Utah, on August 21, 1909. He is buried in the Logan Cemetery.
