Elder Joseph Anderson, 102, emeritus member of the First Quorum of Seventy and the oldest man to serve as a general authority in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Friday, March 13, 1992.
He was born Nov. 20, 1889, in Salt Lake City, to George and Isabella Watson Anderson. When he was a small child, the family moved to Weber County.His secretarial "career" began at age 10 when he was named secretary of his ward Primary organization.
Realizing the importance of education, Elder Anderson worked at a cannery to earn money to attend Weber Academy (now Weber State College) in Ogden. He was a student of a fellow-Scotsman, David O. McKay. He graduated from Weber Academy at the age of 15 as a skilled Pitman-system shorthand writer.
That same year, the family moved back to Salt Lake City, where Elder Anderson worked for the Consolidated Wagon and Machine Co.
He served as a missionary for the church in Switzerland and Germany from 1911 to 1914, where he was secretary of the mission. After returning from his mission, he was employed in the Merchants Bank of Salt Lake City and for a short time with Utah Fuel Co.
On Nov. 11, 1915, he married Norma Peterson in the Salt Lake Temple.
Elder Anderson served as secretary to President Heber J. Grant from 1922 until President Grant's death in 1945. And he was secretary to the First Presidency from 1923 to 1970 - working under three more presidents of the church - George Albert Smith, David O. McKay and Joseph Fielding Smith.
In 1972 he was appointed managing director of the Church Historical Department.
In 1984, Elder Anderson remarked, "I've been here nearly 63 years with the brethren (general authorities) and could never have enjoyed life anywhere as much as with these brethren. I testify they are all men of God."
He was sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve April 6, 1970, and was sustained as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy Oct. 1, 1976. He was given emeritus status, effective Dec. 31, 1978. At a general conference in 1987, Elder Anderson noted that he had attended about 125 general conferences and had known more than 150 general authorities of the church.
In interviews, Elder Anderson recalled his experiences in taking shorthand for President Grant, known as a rapid speaker, and of the challenge of recording conferences, temple and other meetings of the general authorities in shorthand. Even after mechanical equipment was available to record all general conference sessions, Elder Anderson decided he wanted to continue taking the proceedings down in shorthand.
Other positions held by Elder Anderson included bishop's counselor in the 33rd Ward, Liberty Stake; Sunday School superintendent; member of the Bonneville Stake high council for 21 years; director, member of the executive committee, and secretary-treasurer of the Deseret Book Co.; vice-president of Gunnison Sugar Co., and member of the Bonneville Knife and Fork Club.
He also served as a member of the board of directors of Saltair Beach Co. and was a member of the board of the Salt Lake Garfield and Western Railroad.
Elder Anderson attributed his longevity to his adherence to the Word of Wisdom. He kept an active mind, ate wholesome foods in moderation, and swam regularly at the Deseret Gym. He was honored on his 100th birthday in 1989 with a ceremony at the gym. At that time, a wall plaque was unveiled praising him for being "a stirring example of the value of consistent, vigorous physical exercise."
When speaking to students at BYU in 1987, he said that if people want to remain young at heart, they should develop a positive attitude and live a spiritual life.
In a Deseret News interview published Nov. 21, 1987, Elder Anderson recited a poem that reflected his own philosophy about growing old and the possibilities of living life to the fullest.
"Age has its opportunities,
No less than youth itself.
And as the evening shadows fade away,
the stars appear at night,
Invisible by day."
Elder Anderson said in the interview that he had come to realize that "stars" mentioned in the poem are additional blessings that have come to him in his later years. He said he was happy to continue living as long as permitted to do so.
"But whatever the Lord wants, it will be OK. He's the boss. I'm just glad to be alive and well as I am. The Lord has blessed me abundantly," Elder Anderson said on his 98th birthday.
Elder Anderson's wife, Norma, died Aug. 24, 1985. They were parents of one son, J. Robert Anderson, and two daughters, Mrs. Michael (Bette A.) Lloyd, Salt Lake City, and the late Mrs. William C. (Elaine) Card. They have 10 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.