GILLEN, James W. (Elder, RLDS Church history)

GILLEN, GRIFFITHS, MOORE, BRIGGS, BALLOU

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/18/2014 at 22:10:07

Biography ~ James W. Gillen

"History of The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"

F. Henry Edwards & Heman Conoman Smith & Joseph Smith

Herald Publishing House, Lamoni IA
Vol. III, Chapter 41, pp. 704-07

Of the early life of James W. Gillen we know but little, nor has our efforts at obtaining information been successful. He was born in Coleraine, Ireland, March 18, 1836, and when quite young he came to America. In his boyhood and youth he worked in a nail factory in Canada. Subsequently he followed school-teaching, and was engaged in this avocation in Western Iowa when he became acquainted with the church. On December 3, 1861, he was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Little Sioux, Iowa, by Elder Silas W. Condit. It is said that for a time he occupied the office of an elder, but we have not found any record of his ordination to that office. On April 8, 1863, he was ordained to the office of seventy, at Amboy, Illinois; and in April, 1885, he was ordained one of the Presidents of Seventy at Independence, Missouri. In April, 1887, he was called and ordained to the office of apostle of the Quorum of Twelve, which position he occupied until the time of his release.

In the early days of the Reorganization he performed a great deal of missionary service. He was one of the pioneers of the Reorganization in the Western Country, laboring in Utah, Idaho, and on the Pacific Coast.

In 1879 he was sent on a mission to Australasia, where he spent three years, performing faithful and efficient labor, returning in 1882. He performed missionary labor at intervals for the next five years, until he was called by revelation to the Quorum of Twelve; and from that time on he labored in the missionary field according to appointments with which he was intrusted.

In 1892 in company with Gomer T. Griffiths he was assigned to the European Mission, where he spent about a year.

After his return to America he labored principally in the Western States, especially in what was known as the Colorado Mission, until the fall of 1899, when he offered his resignation as a member of the Quorum of Twelve, since which time he has disappeared.

So far as we know none of his family, nor his former friends or acquaintances, know of his whereabouts. The resignation was accepted by the Quorum of Twelve at the General Conference of 1900; presented to the conference which also accepted it. The resignation is as follows:

"The First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve, Dear Brethren: After carefully and prayerfully considering the matter, I have come to the conclusion that it will be for the best interest of the church and myself to withdraw from the Quorum of Twelve; so I hereby tender my resignation, and ask to be released. My reasons for this course can be briefly stated: For some time past my physical powers have been giving way and at times my mental powers seem to have been affected to a degree, that I fear a complete collapse at any time. I need absolute rest, and dare not attempt to engage in the work of the coming conference. There are others that are better adapted to that position than I am, and I feel that I may be standing in the way of abler and better men. I love the work and desire to see it prosper, and for this reason I desire to see the best men that the church can afford, stand in that Quorum. I therefore ask to be released therefrom, believing that the church and the work can be better served by some other man.

"May God continue to superintend and direct the work of the Quorum, not only in the coming session, but in all their work, until the Master comes, is the earnest desire and prayer of your brother, J. W. GILLEN.
"Kansas City, Missouri, November 13, 1899."

And the resolution of the Quorum of Twelve accepting his resignation reads as follows:

"Whereas, a degree of mystery surrounds the disappearance of Bro. J. W. Gillen, and his present whereabouts are not known, making it impracticable to obtain from him any information regarding his resignation other than what is conveyed in the document containing it, and

"Whereas, conditions confronting us seem to justify and wisdom to direct immediate action, therefore,

"Resolved that while regretting the necessity for such action, we accept his resignation as a member of the Quorum of Twelve."

Elder Gillen was married to Miss Nancy Ann Moore, August 12, 1867, at Malad, Idaho. Seven children were born to them, namely, James Arthur, now a resident of Louisiana, occupying a responsible position with W. R. Pickering; Nellie Clara, deceased; Amos Byron; Martha Elnora, now Mrs. J. D. Briggs residing near Lamoni, Iowa; Celia Alice, now Mrs. S. E. Ballou of Lamoni, Iowa; Wilber David, who follows successfully the occupation of school-teaching in Washington; and Lulu Audentia, who resides with her mother in Lamoni, Iowa.

Elder Gillen was a man of more than ordinary capabilities, and when actively engaged in the ministerial work was considered an able preacher.

Transcribed by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014

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