A Former Ambassador as Pastor: J. Reuben Clark’s Personal Ministry Among the Mormons J. Reuben Clark Jr. was U.S. ambassador to Mexico when he became a counselor to the LDS president. Having never presided at the Church’s local levels, he gained pastoral experience while in the First Presidency. Although he emphasized high-level administration and public speaking, Counselor Clark occasionally engaged in personal proselytizing, in performing healing ordinances, and in comforting those who mourn. In addition, he spoke with Mormons about abortion, birth control, mixed marriages (of race or religion), personal business ventures, self-righteousness, their giving unsolicited advice to the First Presidency, women’s rights, and the Word of Wisdom. This paper gives examples during his service from 1933 to 1961.

D. Michael Quinn