Heber J. Grant's first opportunity to serve a full-time mission came in 1901. He was an apostle when he was called to preside over the first mission in Japan.

Born on November 22, 1856, in Salt Lake City, Heber J. Grant was raised by his widowed mother, Rachel Grant. By the time he was 15, he had begun a successful business career and had been ordained to the office of Seventy. Ten years later, he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, where he served for 37 years.

Heber J. Grant's first opportunity to serve a full-time mission came in 1901, when he was called to preside over the first mission in Japan. "The inhabitants are a wonderful people." Twenty-one years later, President Grant and his counselors in the First Presidency closed the mission, largely because of "almost negligible results of missionary efforts" there. The mission was reopened in 1948.

After becoming Church President on November 23, 1918, he dedicated three new temples, developed the Welfare Program, and helped Latter-day Saints cope with the tragedy of World War II. His business experience enabled him to modernize Church organizations and procedures. His missionary efforts, including extensive speaking engagements and friendships with national business leaders, brought the Church to the attention of the nation. After 27 years as President, Heber J. Grant died in Salt Lake City on May 14, 1945.