The First Presidency has announced the call of eight more mission presidents. The new presidents and their wives will be assigned to specific missions later and will begin their service about July 1. Those called are:
Karl S. Farnsworth, 64, Victoria Ward, Hong Kong Island Stake; area president's executive secretary and high councilor, former stake president's counselor, stake Young Men president's counselor, high councilor, bishop, branch president, and Single Adult adviser; Church Educational System area director; earned bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate from BYU; born in Beaver, Utah, a son of S. Taylor and Kathleen Smith Farnsworth; married Joyce Johnson, six children. She is a Relief Society president's counselor, former stake Relief Society president's counselor, ward Relief Society president and counselor, Single Adult adviser, Primary president's counselor, Young Women president's counselor, ward chorister and music committee chairman; attended BYU; born in Taber, Alberta, Canada, a daughter of Leith Ingram and Myrtle Theresa Jensen Johnson.Aldo Francesconi, 44, Embu das Artes Ward, Sao Paulo Taboao Brazil Stake; stake president, former stake president and bishop; Church Area Office project manager; earned bachelor's degree from Paulo Eiro; born in Sao Paulo Brazil, a son of Oswaldo and Alzira Augusta Lopes Francesconi; married Francily da Graca Parronchi, four children. She is a Relief Society president, former stake Primary president, and Young Women president; attended Faculdade of Business Administration Capital; born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a daughter of Francisco Filho and Alice Prandi Vicente Parronchi.
Gene L. Hancock, 55, Pocatello 49th Ward, Pocatello Idaho Tyhee Stake; Scout committee chairman and teacher development teacher, former stake president and counselor, bishop and counselor, Sunday School president's counselor, elders quorum president, and priests quorum adviser; self- employed real estate broker; born in Lewisville, Idaho, a son of Loyal Lester and June Marie Walker Hancock; married Sonja Marie Jensen, three children. She is a stake Young Women president's counselor, former Relief Society president and teacher, Young Women president's counselor and secretary, and Primary teacher; attended Idaho State University; born in Pocatello, Idaho, a daughter of Ejner Kjeldgaard and Janna Franciska Johansen Jensen.
W. Richard Herd, 37, Monticello Ward, Kaysville Utah South Stake; bishop, former bishop's counselor, ward executive secretary, Young Men president, elders quorum instructor, deacons quorum adviser, and Scoutmaster; served in Korea Seoul Mission, 1974-76; employee benefits specialist; earned bachelor's degree from BYU and master's degree from Utah State University; born in Rigby, Idaho, a son of William Knowles Jr. and Iva Lou Smith Herd; married Wendy Lee Semons, four children. She is a Primary worker, former Relief Society spiritual living teacher, Primary president's counselor, teacher, and nursery leader; earned bachelor's degree from BYU; born in Pocatello, Idaho, a daughter of Homer George and Barbara Murphy Semons.
Richard M. Jacobsen, 50, Palo Alto 1st Ward, Menlo Park California Stake; bishop, former high councilor, bishop's counselor, Young Men president, elders quorum president, priests quorum adviser, deacons quorum adviser, and Scoutmaster; served in London England Mission, 1963-64; partner in real estate company; earned bachelor's degree from the University of Utah and master's degree from Harvard Business School; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, a son of Leo M. and Rosebud Marsaall Jacobsen; married Susan Pendleton, five children. She is a Young Women president, former Relief Society president's counselor, Young Women president and adviser, Primary president, family relations teacher, and assistant camp director; received bachelor's degree from the University of Utah; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of Stewart Rhead and Edwina Allred Pendleton.
Ezra K. Nilson, 47, Ogden 33rd Ward, Ogden Utah East Stake; Sunday School teacher and missionary preparation teacher, former bishop and counselor, ward clerk, Young Men president, Sunday School teacher, elders quorum president, and priests adviser; served in Southwest British Mission, 1965-67; chairman of real estate and construction company; earned bachelor's degree from Weber State College, and master's degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business; born in Logan, Utah, a son of Ezra Rodney and Ludella Ingra Jenson Nilson; married Leicha Baker, six children. She is a ward choir director, former Relief Society homemaking leader, Young Women adviser, Primary chorister and teacher, and nursery leader; attended Weber State College; born in San Francisco, Calif., a daughter of James William and Elizabeth Ann Sutherland Baker.
Lowell M. Taylor, 61, Kaysville South Branch, Kaysville Utah South Stake; branch president, former patriarch, stake Single Adult leader, high councilor, bishop and counselor, gospel doctrine teacher, priests quorum adviser, teachers quorum adviser, deacons quorum adviser, and Scoutmaster; served in California Mission, 1950-52; business owner; earned bachelor's degree from the University of Utah; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, a son of Nephi Welling and Drucilla Moon Taylor; married Marie King, five children. She is former stake Relief Society president and counselor, stake Single Adult leader, ward Relief Society president, Young Women adviser; piano teacher; attended the University of Utah; born in Kaysville, Utah, a daughter of Wallace and Elizabeth Layton Webb King.
R. Paul Thompson, 66, Lake Ridge 2nd Ward, Fredericksburg Virginia Stake; tri-regional welfare agent, former Young Men General Board member, regional representative, stake president and counselor, high councilor, and seminary instructor; served in North Central States Mission, 1947-49; deputy director for the division of educational services for the U.S. Department of Education; earned bachelor's and master's degrees from BYU; born in St. George, Utah, a son of George Thomas and Martha Ann Baker Thompson; married Geniel Parry, eight children. She is a ward Relief Society homemaking leader, former temple ordinance worker, stake music director, stake Relief Society music director, ward Relief Society president's counselor, gospel essentials teacher, and ward choir director; sales clerk at fabric store; attended BYU; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, a daughter of Thomas Reese and Violet Michie Parry.
