Joseph Leopold Wirthlin (August 14, 1893 – January 25, 1963) was the eighth presiding bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Joseph L. Wirthlin
Photo of Joseph L. Wirthlin
Presiding Bishop
April 6, 1952 (1952-04-06) – September 30, 1961 (1961-09-30)
Called byDavid O. McKay
End reasonHonorably released
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
December 12, 1946 (1946-12-12) – April 6, 1952 (1952-04-06)
Called byLeGrand Richards
End reasonReorganization (LeGrand Richards called to Quorum of the Twelve)
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
April 6, 1938 (1938-04-06) – December 12, 1946 (1946-12-12)
Called byLeGrand Richards
End reasonCalled as First Counselor in Presiding Bishopric
Personal details
BornJoseph Leopold Wirthlin
(1893-08-14)August 14, 1893
Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States
DiedJanuary 25, 1963(1963-01-25) (aged 69)
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City, Utah Territory. He served as a missionary in the church's SwissGerman Mission in 1913 and 1914. He served as bishop of the Salt Lake 33rd Ward in the Liberty Stake from 1928 to 1935. On October 27, 1935, the Liberty Stake was split and the Bonneville Stake was organized with Wirthlin as its first president.[1] He was set apart by Joseph Fielding Smith.

Wirthlin became a general authority in 1938 when he was called as a counselor to LeGrand Richards in the presiding bishopric. In 1952, LDS Church president David O. McKay called Wirthlin to be the church's eighth presiding bishop. Wirthlin called Thorpe B. Isaacson and Carl W. Buehner as his counselors. Wirthlin and his counselors served until 1961.

Wirthlin died in Salt Lake City, Utah, at LDS Hospital of heart failure, and was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Wirthlin and his wife, Madeline Bitner, were the parents of five children, including Joseph B. Wirthlin, who served as a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Their other children were Judith Wirthlin Parker; Gwendolyn Wirthlin McConkie; Richard B. Wirthlin, a former general authority; and David Bitner Wirthlin, a former president of the church's Nauvoo Illinois Temple.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Deseret News Church Almanac, 2005 ed., p. 244.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Preceded by Presiding Bishop
April 6, 1952 – September 30, 1961
Succeeded by
John H. Vandenburg
Preceded by First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
December 12, 1946 – April 6, 1952
Succeeded by
Preceded by Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
April 6, 1938 – December 12, 1946