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Harold B. Lee: Prophet and Seer
Harold B. Lee was the eleventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This book tells the story of "the long odyssey," his life from its obscure beginnings in Clifton, Idaho, all the way to the position of the Lord's mouthpiece on earth. The story shows a straight progression with plenty of roadblocks but no a spiritually protected childhood; an early maturity beyond his years; a dedicated, outstanding full-time mission; a stake president's calling
644 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 27, 2021
Another inspiring book about a Prophet of God! There are several things about this book that stood out to me that I really enjoyed. 1) This was compiled by President Lee’s son in law so it had a very personal touch to it 2) A good portion of the book was direct passages from President Lee’s personal journal 3) Because this biography was compiled after President Lee died, it contained details on the funeral services, letters of condolence to the family, etc. Most of the biographies of the Prophets have been compiled during their lifetime so they don’t contain this.
June 20, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this biography.
On the one hand, the book includes a lot of primary source quotations from Harold B. Lee's personal journals, letters, etc. so I loved that and it was very interesting reading President Lee own words and impressions. I learned a ton about Harold B. Lee's life, work, and teachings that I didn't know before. There were many inspiring stories of miracles and spiritual gifts manifested during his apostolic ministry that I had never heard of before but which were quite amazing and powerful stories. I also just learned a lot more about what was going on with the church and church leadership during the time period Harold B. Lee was a general authority so that was really interesting. I had no idea Harold B. Lee was called as a stake president at such a young age (31) or to the apostleship at such a young age (41) when all the others in the quorum were 20+ years older than him. I also didn't know that President Lee went through the heartbreak of his first wife dying and one of his daughters dying at a relatively young age. That was heartbreaking to read about him going through those severe personal/family trials. Some parts of the biography were truly uplifting, inspiring, and powerful and I really liked and appreciated that.
On the other hand, there were a few parts of this biography that made me cringe. At times it felt more hagiographical than biographical. The author would say things like, "this childhood experience prepared Harold B. Lee for his destiny as a prophet of God" which made it sound as though his call was inevitable. I understand the doctrine of foreordination, but I also understand the doctrine of agency and that the Lord has contingency plans. Had Harold B. Lee lived less righteously, the Lord may very well not have called him as an apostle. No matter what President Lee was foreordained to do, it was always conditional on him making righteous choices, but the author doesn't really address the nuances of that and makes it sound like history as it happened was divinely decreed and unavoidable fate, which it wasn't. The author also repeats some things multiple times in different chapters, and he keeps referring to himself in the third person whenever he was personally involved in the story. I found that a bit odd and mildly annoying to read.
The author is Harold B. Lee's son-in-law and he is quite glowing and reverential in most of his writing, making President Lee sound like a nearly flawless human being. As far as any flaws go, the author mentioned that Harold B. Lee could be fiercely loyal to his family and had a bit of a temper, but he also played that down quite a bit compared to some of the other biographies and church histories I have read about people who were on the receiving end of President Lee's anger or criticism. Apparently he could be quite stern and severe at times. The way President Lee was portrayed in this biography just made him sound a little bit too-good-to-be-true or at least too-good-to-be-a-complete-and-accurate-representation-of-the-whole-man-and-the-whole-story.
I personally prefer a more honest, balanced biography like Edward L. Kimball's biography of Spencer W. Kimball that is a more "warts and all" biography that makes the subject seem more human, giving ample insight into both their strengths and weaknesses, failures and successes. The closest this book came to mentioning any mistakes or failures on President Lee's part was saying that he didn't always get his way because other church leaders disagreed with him. I don't mean that I think people should be critical about the prophets and constantly ways to find fault with them, but in my opinion they also shouldn't be made to appear superhuman. I prefer a middle road that is more of a "yeah, this was a good and righteous man who served the Lord faithfully throughout his life. But look he struggled with sins, mistakes, and weaknesses just like you. He had a hard time getting through some of his trials just like you. He had to learn, repent, and improve just like you. So you go and do likewise." I think that is preferable to putting someone other than Jesus on a pedestal and then the reader reads about them and comes away thinking, "I'm just not that righteous and perfect of a person and I can't be because I have so many weaknesses and make so many mistakes." etc.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I learned a lot of good and interesting things. I just would have enjoyed it a little more if it had been written a little differently. But that is mostly based on my personal preferences. It is still a pretty good book and it captures some beautiful experiences and some fascinating church history.
On the one hand, the book includes a lot of primary source quotations from Harold B. Lee's personal journals, letters, etc. so I loved that and it was very interesting reading President Lee own words and impressions. I learned a ton about Harold B. Lee's life, work, and teachings that I didn't know before. There were many inspiring stories of miracles and spiritual gifts manifested during his apostolic ministry that I had never heard of before but which were quite amazing and powerful stories. I also just learned a lot more about what was going on with the church and church leadership during the time period Harold B. Lee was a general authority so that was really interesting. I had no idea Harold B. Lee was called as a stake president at such a young age (31) or to the apostleship at such a young age (41) when all the others in the quorum were 20+ years older than him. I also didn't know that President Lee went through the heartbreak of his first wife dying and one of his daughters dying at a relatively young age. That was heartbreaking to read about him going through those severe personal/family trials. Some parts of the biography were truly uplifting, inspiring, and powerful and I really liked and appreciated that.
On the other hand, there were a few parts of this biography that made me cringe. At times it felt more hagiographical than biographical. The author would say things like, "this childhood experience prepared Harold B. Lee for his destiny as a prophet of God" which made it sound as though his call was inevitable. I understand the doctrine of foreordination, but I also understand the doctrine of agency and that the Lord has contingency plans. Had Harold B. Lee lived less righteously, the Lord may very well not have called him as an apostle. No matter what President Lee was foreordained to do, it was always conditional on him making righteous choices, but the author doesn't really address the nuances of that and makes it sound like history as it happened was divinely decreed and unavoidable fate, which it wasn't. The author also repeats some things multiple times in different chapters, and he keeps referring to himself in the third person whenever he was personally involved in the story. I found that a bit odd and mildly annoying to read.
The author is Harold B. Lee's son-in-law and he is quite glowing and reverential in most of his writing, making President Lee sound like a nearly flawless human being. As far as any flaws go, the author mentioned that Harold B. Lee could be fiercely loyal to his family and had a bit of a temper, but he also played that down quite a bit compared to some of the other biographies and church histories I have read about people who were on the receiving end of President Lee's anger or criticism. Apparently he could be quite stern and severe at times. The way President Lee was portrayed in this biography just made him sound a little bit too-good-to-be-true or at least too-good-to-be-a-complete-and-accurate-representation-of-the-whole-man-and-the-whole-story.
I personally prefer a more honest, balanced biography like Edward L. Kimball's biography of Spencer W. Kimball that is a more "warts and all" biography that makes the subject seem more human, giving ample insight into both their strengths and weaknesses, failures and successes. The closest this book came to mentioning any mistakes or failures on President Lee's part was saying that he didn't always get his way because other church leaders disagreed with him. I don't mean that I think people should be critical about the prophets and constantly ways to find fault with them, but in my opinion they also shouldn't be made to appear superhuman. I prefer a middle road that is more of a "yeah, this was a good and righteous man who served the Lord faithfully throughout his life. But look he struggled with sins, mistakes, and weaknesses just like you. He had a hard time getting through some of his trials just like you. He had to learn, repent, and improve just like you. So you go and do likewise." I think that is preferable to putting someone other than Jesus on a pedestal and then the reader reads about them and comes away thinking, "I'm just not that righteous and perfect of a person and I can't be because I have so many weaknesses and make so many mistakes." etc.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I learned a lot of good and interesting things. I just would have enjoyed it a little more if it had been written a little differently. But that is mostly based on my personal preferences. It is still a pretty good book and it captures some beautiful experiences and some fascinating church history.
April 13, 2018
Harold B. Lee, the eleventh president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had a remarkable and powerful personality. He profoundly influenced the church prior to his call as a church general authority, by establishing a welfare program during the height of the Great Depression for his stake, the Pioneer Stake in western Salt Lake County, that became the pattern upon which the welfare system of the LDS Church was created, which he was given the responsibility to create. As a general authority, he pioneered the LDS Church's correlation and curriculum programs.
This biography, written by President Lee's son-in-law, gave great insight to both the private and public life of this great man. It was well written, and, although at times a bit repetitive, was excellent. It is well worth the read.
This biography, written by President Lee's son-in-law, gave great insight to both the private and public life of this great man. It was well written, and, although at times a bit repetitive, was excellent. It is well worth the read.
June 27, 2020
Great biography
This is the second biography I read from president HBL. Great reading, brilliant in details with a lot of external resources that makes it a great opportunity to know the man.
This is the second biography I read from president HBL. Great reading, brilliant in details with a lot of external resources that makes it a great opportunity to know the man.
September 4, 2022
I wish all biographies couldn't be published until after the death of the individual. What an immense pleasure it was to read about the entire life of President Harold B. Lee.
September 12, 2020
Excellent book. One aspect I liked was that it didn't sensationalize anything or dwell on negative stuff. He didn't gloss over the hardships, but the author always turned it to positive lessons learned. It was a bit long in parts, but probably necessary to give you an accurate idea of Lee's life and accomplishments. Great life lessons throughout.
October 19, 2009
A good book about a great man. He was visionary even in his younger years. He kept a diary and so his thoughts are included in this book written by his son-in-law. That relationship also helps to personalize the book.
I found out two interesting things that tie me to President Lee - he was principal of my elementary school in the 1920's, perhaps when my mother was attending - and his daughters took music lessons from Melba Lindsay Burton, the same woman who taught my mother the piano. My grandmother also worked for Sister Burton and was her good friend for many years.
It is interesting to see how President Lee's powerful personality was used by the Lord in refining the organization of the church in the 1960's and 1970's. He believed strongly in using the existing priesthood organization to accomplish tasks rather than set up another chain of organizations within the church.
Here is a quote from the October, 1973 conference - the last one before he died: "Where is there safety in the world today? Safety can't be won by tanks and guns and airplanes and atomic bombs. There is only one place of safety and that is within the realm of the power of Almighty God that he gives to those who keep His commandments and listen to his voice, as He speaks through the channels that He has ordained for that purpose." (page 546)
Good advice for 1973 and good advice 36 years later.
I found out two interesting things that tie me to President Lee - he was principal of my elementary school in the 1920's, perhaps when my mother was attending - and his daughters took music lessons from Melba Lindsay Burton, the same woman who taught my mother the piano. My grandmother also worked for Sister Burton and was her good friend for many years.
It is interesting to see how President Lee's powerful personality was used by the Lord in refining the organization of the church in the 1960's and 1970's. He believed strongly in using the existing priesthood organization to accomplish tasks rather than set up another chain of organizations within the church.
Here is a quote from the October, 1973 conference - the last one before he died: "Where is there safety in the world today? Safety can't be won by tanks and guns and airplanes and atomic bombs. There is only one place of safety and that is within the realm of the power of Almighty God that he gives to those who keep His commandments and listen to his voice, as He speaks through the channels that He has ordained for that purpose." (page 546)
Good advice for 1973 and good advice 36 years later.
April 1, 2014
4.75 Stars
This is a 5 stars book! (I'll explain later why I can't give it a full 5 stars) I started it in Early December but this book is 616 pages hardcover 2 inches thick and a foot tall. Each page is CRAMMED with information so reading a few pages a night was all I could do to be able to soak in everything. It was inspiring, spiritual, informative and great. The pictures are great and I have even stocked President Lee's Houses in Salt Lake City (thanks to the book and the addresses)
I love President Lee. Even though he died before I was born, I have learn to love him, I feel like I know him and I am in awe. I didn't know much about him and I was going through a 1970s phase of TV shows and movies that I figure...why not study the prophets of the 1970s? The extensive personal journal entries make you feel like President Lee is your grandpa and an apostle and a Prophet!
The reason I can't give it 5 stars is NOT for content, It is actually well written, no typos or grammar errors (which you sometimes get in small publishing companies.) It is entirely for flow. It didn't flow well. Even though it was chronologically written, some paragraphs didn't flow to the one just above it. Sometimes I had to review that I was reading the right page. But don't let the flow deter you...still a fantastic read!
This is a 5 stars book! (I'll explain later why I can't give it a full 5 stars) I started it in Early December but this book is 616 pages hardcover 2 inches thick and a foot tall. Each page is CRAMMED with information so reading a few pages a night was all I could do to be able to soak in everything. It was inspiring, spiritual, informative and great. The pictures are great and I have even stocked President Lee's Houses in Salt Lake City (thanks to the book and the addresses)
I love President Lee. Even though he died before I was born, I have learn to love him, I feel like I know him and I am in awe. I didn't know much about him and I was going through a 1970s phase of TV shows and movies that I figure...why not study the prophets of the 1970s? The extensive personal journal entries make you feel like President Lee is your grandpa and an apostle and a Prophet!
The reason I can't give it 5 stars is NOT for content, It is actually well written, no typos or grammar errors (which you sometimes get in small publishing companies.) It is entirely for flow. It didn't flow well. Even though it was chronologically written, some paragraphs didn't flow to the one just above it. Sometimes I had to review that I was reading the right page. But don't let the flow deter you...still a fantastic read!
August 9, 2012
This was a very interesting book. It had some great insight into the life of a prophet. The one downside was that it was written by a VERY admiring son-in-law. At times the praise and superlatives were a bit strong. Still, I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Harold B. Lee.
October 9, 2008
The author was my fathers mission president. He is the son-in-law of President Lee. Brother Goates and his wife are oh so sweet, she passed away from cancer while i was in college but my father still keeps in touch with him every six months and then we visit him every time we are in Utah.
Currently reading
March 5, 2009I've only read the first couple of chapters, and they are a little slow. But very interesting information.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews