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Presidents of the Church (Prophets, Seers, and Revelators)

1. Joseph Smith (1805–1844) — “…the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth… and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.” (1841). (Religious Studies Center)
2. Brigham Young (1801–1877) — “The object of this existence is to learn, which we can only do a little at a time.” (Jan 26, 1862, Journal of Discourses 9:167). (From the Desk)
3. John Taylor (1808–1887) — “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.” (Quoted from Aug 6, 1878 report / taught in his manual). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
4. Wilford Woodruff (1807–1898) — “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray… If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place.” (Oct 6, 1890, remarks surrounding the Manifesto). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
5. Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901) — “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be.” (Taught after 1840; widely cited in his Church manual). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
6. Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) — “On the third of October, in the year nineteen hundred and eighteen, I sat in my room pondering over the scriptures…” (Opening line of D&C 138, Oct 3, 1918). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
7. Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) — Frequently taught persistence and integrity; e.g., “Work, and keep your promises.” (Jan 1900, Improvement Era). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
8. George Albert Smith (1870–1951) — “Those who speak at conference receive revelation…” (Oct 1913, Conference Report; quoted in Teachings of George Albert Smith). (Mormonism Research Ministry)
9. David O. McKay (1873–1970) — “Every member—a missionary.” (Apr 1959, Conference Report). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
10. Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972) — “The [First] Vision… made it clear that the Father and the Son are separate personages, having bodies as tangible as the body of man.” (Manual chapter summarizing his teachings; draws on D&C 130:22). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
11. Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) — “The most important of the Lord’s work that you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home.” (Sep 11, 1973, BYU devotional). (BYU Speeches)
12. Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) — “We must lengthen our stride.” (Emphasis of his presidency; taught repeatedly, e.g., 1979). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
13. Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) — “Pride is the universal sin, the great vice.” (Apr 1989, General Conference, “Beware of Pride”). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
14. Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) — “The temple is a place of instruction… a place of peace…” (Taught in 1994 and compiled in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter). (The Church of Jesus Christ)
15. Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) — “Stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better.” (Sep 17, 1996, BYU “The Quest for Excellence”). (BYU Speeches)
16. Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) — “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” (Oct 2008, “Finding Joy in the Journey”). (Church News)
17. Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) — “As disciples of Jesus Christ, our efforts to hear Him need to be ever more intentional…” (Apr 2020, “Hear Him”). (The Church of Jesus Christ)

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400-Year Family Lineage Timeline

Generation	Name	Birth	Location	History & Legacy
11th Great-Grandparents	Joris Jansen Rapelje & Catalina Trico	1604	Valenciennes / New Amsterdam	Founded one of the first families in New Amsterdam, helped establish Dutch colonial governance, and raised 11 children who became foundational settlers.
10th Great-Grandmother	Judith Joris Rapalje	1635	New Amsterdam	Expanded Dutch-American lineage through her marriage into the Van Nest family, preserved early colonial traditions.
9th Great-Grandfather	Pieter Pieterszen Van Nest II	1653	New Amsterdam / Raritan, NJ	Relocated family to Raritan, became a key landholder and a leader in the Dutch Reformed Church, shaping the region’s culture.
8th Great-Grandmother	Margaretta Pieterse Van Nest	1717	New Jersey	Bridge between Dutch colonial aristocracy and frontier life, anchored faith and family during shifting American identity.
7th Great-Grandfather	Peter Cossart Sr.	abt. 1740s	New Jersey / Kentucky	Frontier pioneer, helped expand Dutch influence into Kentucky; passed down Huguenot faith and resilience to children.
6th Great-Grandfather	Peter Cosat	1800	Mercer County, KY	Farmed and raised a large family in early Kentucky, preserving ancestral values during a time of western migration.
5th Great-Grandmother	Mary Ann Cosat	1821	Kentucky	Matriarch of a new generation of Utah-bound settlers, guided her children through early American transformation.
4th Great-Grandfather	Perry Fitzgerald	mid-1800s	Kentucky / Utah	Embraced frontier life and Latter-day Saint faith, preparing the ground for spiritual legacy carried by his son John Perry.
3rd Great-Grandfather	John Perry	mid-late 1800s	Utah	Founder and first conductor of the Tabernacle Choir, built a foundation of sacred music for generations, honored by Brigham Young.
2nd Great-Grandmother	Sarah Ann Williams	late 1800s	Utah	Strengthened family legacy by raising Lovina in faith and tradition, anchoring generations of women with values of service.
Great-Grandmother	Lovina	early 1900s	Utah	Carried faith through industrial growth and hardship, guiding her daughter Vera to become a pillar of strength and hospitality.
Grandmother	Vera	abt. 1920s	Utah	Raised a family through economic hardship and wartime eras, mothered six, two of her own daughters including Marie with grace and resolve.
Mother	Marie (daughter of Vera & Raymond David Utah the family united and instilled core values of creativity, leadership, and faith in her children.
9R	Shimmer (K. Kirton Niner)	20th Century	Utah / Arizona	Champion of heritage, Mother, Tutor, Creative Leader, and Community Advocate preserving the Legacy of Pioneers and Prophets.