I've finished reading the print version of Lengthen Your Stride: The Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball, written by Edward Kimball, the son of Spencer. I say the print version because for those who are not already aware, the book comes with an accompanying CD that contains the final manuscript with more extensive footnotes, as well as a working draft that, in some instances, contains more extensive discussion than the final draft. The CD also contains photographs, articles, other biographies of both Spencer and Camilla, and audio clips.
Edward Kimball co-authored a previous biography that covered Spencer's life up until his presidency. The research and interviews that went into this book are no afterthought; Edward watched his father's presidency with a future updated biography in mind.
There are several reasons to buy and read this biography:
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1. Get to know Pres. Kimball
Without knowing President Kimball personally it is impossible to know how well this biography stands in proxy. Nevertheless the many rememberances of people as reported in the book seem to give insight into his personality.
2. Behind the scenes look at the Church
Edward did not have access to any of Spencer's office papers, but he did have access to Spencer's personal journal, counselors, other General Authorities, and Spencer's personal secretary, Arthur Haycock. We get a glimpse of what managing the institution of the Church is like, including a few details of what happens at a meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve in the temple.
3. Revelation on the Priesthood
The highlight of the Kimball administration was the revelation extending the Priesthood to all worthy males, ie. blacks. As Richard Cracroft wrote in a recent review in BYU Magazine:At the center of Lengthen Your Stride is the capstone of President Kimball's presidency, the hosanna-shout that resounds through the five chapters that Edward Kimball devotes to the June 1978 revelation extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy males. These wonderful chapters will become the definitive description of the revelation for the history of the Church. They provide a careful composite of accounts by and interviews with some of the General Authorities who were present.
In fact Spencer specifically asked Edward to cover the 1978 revelation. The book also discusses the history of the ban and the process of questioning that occured prior to receipt of the revelation.
4. Candor on controversial topics
Again from Cracroft's review:The biography treats with directness and candor the major issues the Church dealt with during those exciting years of growth and change and revelation. So unflinching are the reflections that the publisher felt it necessary to preface the book with an unusual disclaimer: "The publisher and the biographer do not agree on the interpretations . . . given to a number of events, or the choices of characterization of some of the people. The author and the publisher have had open and energetic discussions on these issues, and there has been some give and take in the editorial process" (p. ix). One apparent compromise is the welcome and unprecedented addition of a CD...
In addition to sources listed above, Edward skimmed through all of the issues of Sunstone and Dialogue, and both publications are repeatedly referenced in the footnotes (on the CD). If you read Dialogue's review of its own history, many of the items discussed therein--especially those that involved interactions with General Authorities--are treated at least briefly in this book. The book certainly cannot be viewed as an official publication of the Church, but Deseret Book is closely tied to the Church and is careful about what it publishes. Thankfully one can now cite a major book from Deseret Book on some of these issues. By "cite" I mean that when Bro. X in the ward wants to know how you know, say, that Elder McConkie admitted that Brigham Young taught confusing things about Adam, or that until Pres. Kimball's administration prayer circles were also held outside of temples, or that authorized plural marriages were performed after the 1890 Manifesto, you need not refer him to sources that he may discount because they are not mainstream. Such things may be available in other mainstream publications, but they are concentrated in this book (or on the CD).
Because of it's open and balanced approach, this is a book that both builds and informs testimony. I'll end with this story: In 1981 Spencer's health was slipping and his mind increasingly became foggy. One day his thoughts were clear and he discussed with Arthur Haycock his intention to call Gordon B. Hinckley as another counselor, and Neal A. Maxwell to the Twelve. The callings were extended and the appropriate business conducted. It was not long until the fog came back. With the other two counselors aging as well, President Hinckley was the only fully functioning member of the First Presidency for some time. Arthur wrote to President Hinckley,In my forty-six years of close association with the last six presidents of the Church, I can say unequivocally that, to me personally, this is the greatest testimony of direct revelation I have ever witnessed....There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord strengthened President Kimball in mind and body and raised him up and inspired him to call [President Hinckley and Elder Maxwell.]
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