Delbert L. Stapley
1896–1978 (81 years)
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
Biography
Delbert L. Stapley was an apostle from 1950 until his death in 1978. An Arizona businessman, Stapley is remembered partly for a controversial 1964 letter he wrote to Michigan Governor George Romney.
In that letter, Stapley warned Romney against supporting civil rights legislation, arguing that the church’s priesthood ban on Black members reflected God’s will regarding race. The letter became public decades later, illustrating attitudes some church leaders held during the civil rights era.
Stapley served 28 years as an apostle during significant periods of social change in America.
Served Under
Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:
Wives (2)
Delbert L. Stapley was a celestial polygamist with 2 wives. Note these are sequential marriages — each previous spouse died before the next marriage, meaning no simultaneous living plural marriages. 1 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.
2 wives · Lifespan: 1896–1978
2 wives · Ages at marriage
| # | Name | Born | Died | Married | Her Age | His Age | Age Diff | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jun 6, 1903 | Jan 15, 1967 | Jan 14, 1918 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 4 | |
| 2 | Aug 13, 1914 | Mar 25, 2005 | Jun 14, 1968 | 53 | 71 | 18 | 1 |
Children (5)
With Ethel May Burdett (4 children)
With Marianne Burdett Sargent (1 child)
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