Charles W. (Charles William) Penrose

Born in London on February 4, 1832, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England and served there as a missionary before emigrating to Utah in 1861. Reliable biographical records describe him as an author, poet, lyricist, editor, and teacher as well as a church leader.

He became especially influential through words—both spoken and written. He worked as an editor of the Deseret News and is remembered for hymn texts and other writing that helped shape Latter-day Saint culture in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Later in life, he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and then in the First Presidency of the LDS Church. He died in Salt Lake City on May 16, 1925, leaving behind a long public career that combined religious leadership with journalism and literary work.