William A. Morton

Born on 10 January 1866 in Banbridge, County Down, Ireland, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1888 after hearing about it from a co-worker at a printing establishment. Not long afterward, he took on local church responsibilities, then moved to the United States with his young family in 1891.

In Salt Lake City he worked as a printer, a trade that fit naturally with his love of writing. He later served missions in Britain, including work as associate editor of the Millennial Star, one of the church’s main European publications. Alongside his preaching and editorial work, he became known as a prolific author of missionary tracts and other religious writing.

His books and pamphlets were meant to explain and defend his faith in clear, accessible language. One of his better-remembered works, Mother Stories from the Book of Mormon, was later recalled by Gordon B. Hinckley as an early introduction to the Book of Mormon. He died in 1930, leaving behind a body of writing closely tied to Latter-day Saint history and publishing.