“Yet it never occurred to my mind that I should be one of the first commissioned to preach the everlasting gospel on the shores of Europe.” — Heber C. Kimball¹

Heber C. Kimball (1801–1868) was a blacksmith and potter who joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1832 after being baptized by Alpheus Gifford. He became an elder that same year and moved to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1833.² Heber participated in the Camp of Israel expedition to Missouri in 1834 and was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835.³ He served missions in the eastern United States and later led the first group of Latter-day Saint missionaries to Great Britain in 1837. Despite initial reluctance and concerns about leaving his family, Heber's mission to England was successful, contributing much to the spread of the gospel in that country. Upon returning from his mission, he settled in Far West, Missouri, where he would assist Brigham Young in leading the Saints out of Missouri and into Quincy, Illinois.⁴ Kimball was instrumental in the early missionary work and growth of the church, demonstrating unwavering faith and dedication.⁵

1. Heber C. Kimball’s Journal, M270.1 K49k 1882 no. 6, Church History Library

2. “Kimball, Heber Chase,” josephsmithpapers.org

3. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 19, 215-216; “Kimball, Heber Chase,” josephsmithpapers.org

4. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 32, 375-377, 382; “Kimball, Heber Chase,” josephsmithpapers.org

5. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 24, 275-277; Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 25, 286-288