Delbert L. Stapley

Delbert Leon Stapley (December 11, 1896 – August 19, 1978) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1950 to 1978.

Delbert L. Stapley
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 5, 1950 (1950-10-05) – August 19, 1978 (1978-08-19)
LDS Church Apostle
October 5, 1950 (1950-10-05) – August 19, 1978 (1978-08-19)
ReasonDeath of George F. Richards
Reorganization
at end of term		James E. Faust ordained
Personal details
BornDelbert Leon Stapley
(1896-12-11)December 11, 1896
Mesa, Arizona Territory, United States
DiedAugust 19, 1978(1978-08-19) (aged 81)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Spouse(s)Ethel Burdette Davis
Children3

Early life

Stapley was born in Mesa, Arizona Territory. He graduated from Mesa Union High School in 1914.[1] As a youth, he rejected a chance at playing Major League Baseball so he could serve an LDS Church mission in the southern United States[2] and because he didn't want to play on Sunday,[3] the day Latter-day Saints observe as the Sabbath. Stapley remained physically active throughout his life, his favorite sport being golf.

Stapley was a missionary in the LDS Church's Southern States Mission from 1915 to 1917. After his mission, he was a U.S. marine in the First World War.

LDS Church service

Stapley had been stake president for three years before receiving a call to the apostleship on October 5, 1950. Stapley was also sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve on October 5, 1950, at the church's October general conference, filling the vacancy caused by the death of George F. Richards. Stapley was notified of his new calling by church president George Albert Smith in the elevator bank of the Hotel Utah. Stapley organized the original Miami Stake in 1961.[4] In 1969 he received the Silver Buffalo Award from the Boy Scouts of America.[5]

Views on civil rights
Main article: Black people and Mormonism

A letter sent by Stapley illustrates his views on black people before they were more widely assimilated into the LDS Church. Dated January 23, 1964 and specifically stating he was not speaking for the church or in his position as an apostle, the letter urged Michigan Governor George W. Romney to back away from certain positions for civil rights, and he called the bill that became the Civil Rights Act of 1964 "vicious legislation."[6] Romney is reported to have accelerated his engagement for civil rights shortly after he received the letter.

Death

Stapley delivered his last conference address in October 1977. The following April conference he was too ill to attend. Stapley died on August 19, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He suffered cardiac arrest at about noon while walking near his home.

At the time of his death, Stapley was the third apostle in line to the presidency of the church. His vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve was filled by James E. Faust.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Mesa Commencement at Vance Auditorium". The Arizona Republican. 1914-05-15. p. 7. Retrieved 2021-01-15. The following is the list of graduates...Delbert Stapley...
  2. Janet Brigham, "Death of Elder Delbert L. Stapley Mourned", Ensign, October 1978.
  3. Delbert L. Stapley, "Friend to Friend: Pocketknives and Baseballs", Friend, April 1973.
  4. Swensen, Jason. "Miami: unity in the gospel", Deseret News, 8 January 2000. Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
  5. "2 CHURCH LEADERS EARN SCOUTING HONOR", Deseret News, 5 March 1988. Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
  6. "Delbert Stapley Letter", archive.org.
  7. Swensen, Jason. "'Man of balance' wore many hats well", Deseret News, 18 August 2007. Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Preceded by
Henry D. Moyle		 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
October 5, 1950 – August 19, 1978		 Succeeded by
Marion G. Romney
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