Charles William Penrose was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1904 to 1911. Penrose was also a member of the First Presidency of the church under Church Presidents Joseph F. Smith and Heber J. Grant from 1911 until his death. After joining the church, Penrose was called to a mission of seven years, preaching throughout England. In 1861, he emigrated to Utah. After arriving, he was called on yet another mission to England. Upon his return, he settled in Ogden, Utah. There he became involved in newspaper publishing, eventually becoming the editor of the Deseret News in Salt Lake City. Penrose was known for his writing, including missionary tracts and for penning lyrics for LDS hymns, including God of Our Fathers, O Ye Mountains High, and Up, Awake, Ye Defenders of Zion. Penrose was a professor of theology at Brigham Young Academy from 1897 to 1899 and again in 1901 and 1902. Penrose was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and ordained an apostle on July 7, 1904 after the passing of Elder Abraham O. Woodruff. After John Henry Smith (the Second Counselor to President Joseph F. Smith) died, he was called and set apart as Second Counselor in his stead on December 7, 1911. James E. Talmage filled the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve caused by President John Henry Smith's death and Charles W. Penrose's call as Second Counselor. He also served as Second Counselor for President Heber J. Grant when the First Presidency was reorganized on November 23, 1918 after the death of President Joseph F. Smith.

Remarks on Union, Etc

Made by Elder C. W. Penrose, in the Ogden Tabernacle, January 19th, 1879

Volume 20, discourse 15, pages 122-129

Definite Ideas Concerning God, Etc

Remarks by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon May 25th, 1879

Volume 20, discourse 27, pages 212-219

The Work of the Restitution, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, on Sunday Afternoon, Aug. 17th, 1879

Volume 20, discourse 37, pages 293-299

The Word of the Lord, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Provo, Saturday Morning, November 29th, 1879

Volume 21, discourse 7, pages 45-53

Insufficiency of Mere Belief in Christ, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, Sunday Afternoon, April 25th, 1880

Volume 21, discourse 11, pages 80-91

Difference Between, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, Sunday Afternoon, April 11th, 1880

Volume 21, discourse 17, pages 137-146

The Inspiration, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, August 8th, 1880

Volume 21, discourse 25, pages 220-232

The Gospel—Practical, Comprehensive Religion, Etc

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, Sunday Afternoon, January 2nd, 1881

Volume 21, discourse 39, pages 351-357

The Spirit of Revelation, Etc

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Jan. 30, 1881

Volume 22, discourse 10, pages 68-74

Partaking of the Lord's Supper, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, May 1st, 1880

Volume 22, discourse 12, pages 82-97

Divisions of Modern Christendom, Etc

Discourse by Elder C. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, July 17, 1881

Volume 22, discourse 20, pages 155-168

The Testimony of the Gospel, Etc

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, Aug. 14, 1881

Volume 22, discourse 26, pages 211-217

How to Find Out God, Etc

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday, June 4, 1882

Volume 23, discourse 18, pages 156-162

Revealed Religion, Etc

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Assembly Hall, Sunday, Jan. 14th, 1883

Volume 23, discourse 41, pages 343-356

The True Gospel and Its Counterfeits

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, March 4th, 1883

Volume 24, discourse 11, pages 82-99

Prophecies Relating to Our Day

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, May 18th, 1883

Volume 24, discourse 25, pages 203-217

No Salaried Ministers

Discourse by Elder Charles W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, September 23rd, 1883

Volume 24, discourse 36, pages 302-313

Spiritual Darkness of the World

Discourse by Elder Chas. W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, May 20th, 1883

Volume 25, discourse 7, pages 39-50

What the Constitution Guarantees

Remarks by Elder Charles W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, July 26, 1884

Volume 25, discourse 27, pages 218-230

Privilege to Meet to Worship God

Discourse by Elder Charles W. Penrose, delivered in the Assembly Hall, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, November 4, 1882

Volume 25, discourse 40, pages 329-340

Personality of God

Discourse by Elder Charles W. Penrose, delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday Afternoon, November 16, 1884

Volume 26, discourse 3, pages 18-29