Franklin D. Richards was chosen as president of the society; John Nicholson, vice-president; James H. Anderson, secretary; Amos Milton Musser, treasurer; John Jacques, librarian. These, with Andrew Jenson, formed the board of directors.
At the third meeting of the society, November 20, 1894, articles of incorporation were prepared and the society was duly incorporated. The first books received by the society were also donated by the charter members at this meeting, consisting of eleven volumes. This was the nucleus of a library which, it is hoped by its members, is destined to become second to none in the world.
At the beginning of the year 1895, the society had twenty-eight life members and twenty annual members. At the close of the year 1907 there were one hundred and eight life members and sixty-five annual members and the library contained sixteen hundred volumes. In the year 1908 the society took on new life, an impetus was given to the work of salvation for the dead and the people commenced to give greater attention to the gathering of the records of their ancestors. The volume of business during the years 1908–9 was greater than that which had been accomplished during the previous existence of the society. The work of the society was extensively advertised and was placed on a firm footing. At the close of the year 1921, there had been issued 3,100 life memberships, 6,512 annual memberships, including renewals, and the library contained 6,500 volumes.
The Genealogical Society of Utah is a Church institution. It is not confined to the borders of Utah, but is as extensive in its field of activity as is the Church. It was organized for the purpose of aiding the members of the Church in the collecting and compiling of the records of their dead preparatory to the performance of ordinance work for their salvation in the temples of the Lord.
Appendix: General Authorities of the Church
Presidents of the Church
Joseph Smith
Born Dec. 23, 1805, at Sharon, Vermont; received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James and John in 1820; sustained April, 1830, as First Elder and Oliver Cowdery as Second Elder of the Church, at the age of 24; sustained January 25, 1832, as President of the High Priesthood at a conference at Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio; murdered June 27, 1844, at Carthage Jail, Illinois.
Brigham Young
Born June 1, 1801, at Whittingham, Vermont; ordained an apostle Feb. 14, 1835, by Joseph Smith and the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon; sustained Dec. 27, 1847, as President of the Church, at the age of 46; died Aug. 29, 1877, at Salt Lake City, Utah.