Leonard W. Hardy

Leonard W. Hardy
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
October 6, 1856 (1856-10-06)  July 31, 1884 (1884-07-31)
Personal details
Born Leonard Wilford Hardy
(1805-12-31)December 31, 1805
Bradford, Massachusetts, United States
Died July 31, 1884(1884-07-31) (aged 78)
Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, United States
Resting place Salt Lake City Cemetery
40°46′37″N 111°51′29″W / 40.777°N 111.858°W / 40.777; -111.858 (Salt Lake City Cemetery)
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Harriman Nichols
Sophia Lois Goodridge
Esther Smilinda Goodridge
Harriet Ann Goodridge
Rachel Smith Gardner
Children 18
Parents Simon Hardy
Rhoda Hardy

Leonard Wilford Hardy (December 31, 1805 – July 31, 1884) was an early convert in the Latter Day Saint movement, a Mormon pioneer and a member of the presiding bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1856 until his death.

Hardy was born in Bradford, Massachusetts. On December 2, 1832, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, being baptized by missionary Orson Hyde.

In December 1844, Hardy traveled to England as a church missionary with Wilford Woodruff, Dan Jones, and Hiram Clark. Hardy was stationed in Preston, Lancashire, and was made the conference president in March 1845.

After returning to the United States, Hardy and his family emigrated to Utah Territory with other Mormon pioneers in 1850. Hardy contracted cholera but survived.

In Utah, Hardy was made a bishop of two different wards. On October 12, 1856, Hardy was called to be the first counselor to the church's Presiding Bishop, Edward Hunter. When Hunter died in 1883, William B. Preston became the new presiding bishop and Hardy was again selected as the first counselor. However, after just a few months working under Preston, Hardy died in Salt Lake City and was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Hardy practiced plural marriage and was the father of 18 children.

References

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles
Position Vacant
April 6, 1847 September 23, 1850
Preceded by:
George Miller
as Second Bishop of the Church
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
October 6, 1856 July 31, 1884
Succeeded by
Robert T. Burton
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