Robert L. Simpson (Mormon)

Robert L. Simpson
Simpson in 1962, while First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
Emeritus General Authority
September 30, 1989 (1989-09-30) – April 15, 2003 (2003-04-15)
Called by	Ezra Taft Benson
First Quorum of the Seventy
October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01) – September 30, 1989 (1989-09-30)
Called by	Spencer W. Kimball
End reason	Granted general authority emeritus status
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
April 6, 1972 (1972-04-06) – October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01)
Called by	Joseph Fielding Smith
End reason	Position abolished
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30) – April 6, 1972 (1972-04-06)
Called by	John H. Vandenburg
End reason	Honorable release of John H. Vandenburg and his counselors
Personal details
Born	Robert Leatham Simpson (1915-08-08)August 8, 1915 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died	St. George, Utah, United States

Robert Leatham Simpson (August 8, 1915 – April 15, 2003) was a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1961 until his death.

Simpson served as a missionary in the church's New Zealand Mission as a young adult. In the 1950s, Simpson returned to New Zealand as the mission president.

Simpson studied at Santa Monica City College. He also was trained in the Technical Training Communication program held at Yale University during World War II. Simpson and his wife, Jelaine Chandler, were the parents of three children.

Simpson became a general authority of the church in 1961 when he was asked to be the first counselor to Presiding Bishop John H. Vandenburg. Simpson served in this capacity until he and Vandenburg were released and made Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972. In this position, Simpson was the managing director of LDS Social Services (now renamed LDS Family Services) from 1972 to 1974. In 1974, he became the head of the Melchizedek Priesthood MIA. In 1975, Simpson became the temporary president of the church's London Mission, replacing a president who became ill. When the calling of Assistant to the Twelve was discontinued in 1976, Simpson was added to the First Quorum of the Seventy, where he served until 1989, when he was made an emeritus general authority and relieved of full-time church duties.

As a member of the Seventy, Simpson served at various times as managing director of the church's Temple Department, president of the Pacific Area, president of the Los Angeles California Temple, a member of the general presidency of the Young Men Organization, as president of the England London East Mission, and as general president of the Sunday School.

Simpson died in St. George, Utah.

References

• “Elder Robert L. Simpson,” Ensign, July 1972, p. 11

External links

• Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Robert L. Simpson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles Emeritus General Authority September 30, 1989 – April 15, 2003 First Quorum of the Seventy October 1, 1976 – September 30, 1989 Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles April 6, 1972 – October 1, 1976 Preceded by Hugh W. Pinnock General President of the Sunday School 1986 – 1989 Succeeded by Hugh W. Pinnock Preceded by Rex D. Pinegar First Counselor in the Young Men's presidency 1985 – 1986 Succeeded by Hartman Rector, Jr. Preceded by Thorpe B. Isaacson First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric April 6, 1952 – September 30, 1961 Succeeded by H. Burke Peterson