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Pres. Packer: Rich in experience

President Boyd K. Packer, an apostle for 24 years, was set apart as acting president of the Council of the Twelve on June 5. President Gordon B. Hinckley, who is first counselor in the First Presidency, was set apart as president of the Council of the Twelve.

President Packer, 69, takes the helm with extensive experience in both general and local Church leadership. An educator by profession, he was assistant administrator of seminaries and institutes for the Church Educational System when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve in 1961. He was ordained an apostle April 9, 1970.He has held many Church positions, ranging from assistant stake clerk and high councilor in the North Box Elder Stake in 1948 and 1950, to chairman of both the Missionary Executive Council from 1985-86, and the Temple and Family History Executive Council, from 1986-89.

A consummate teacher, he holds bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees in education. He has drawn on many of life's experiences in his sermons that are notable in their precision and clarity.

Among those experiences he has recalled was serving as a pilot during World War II.

President Packer has enjoyed creating works of art as a hobby, and through the years has carved intricate wooden birds reflecting his love of nature and outdoors.

He was born and reared in a strong LDS home, one of 11 children, in Brigham City, Utah. His father, Ira, was an auto mechanic and eventually owned a motor company. President Packer and his wife, Donna, have continued the pattern of a strong home as they reared 10 children.

He studied at Weber State College and subsequently received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Utah State University, and his doctorate in educational administration from BYU. He has received honorary doctorates from BYU and USU.

While a member of the Council of the Twelve, he has had numerous assignments where he has influenced a wide range of Church matters. He was also a member of the Church's committee that prepared and published new editions of the scriptures, and which added the subtitle, "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" to the Book of Mormon.

President Packer has traveled the world in his assignment as an apostle, presiding and speaking at conferences, meeting with missionaries, counseling local Church leaders and testifying to Latter-day Saints and others of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

President Packer

Born Sept. 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah, to Ira Wright Packer and Emma Jensen Packer.

Married Donna Edith Smith July 29, 1947, in the Logan Temple; parents of 10 children.

Served on city council of Brigham City, 1950-54.

Taught seminary in Brigham City, 1950-54.

Was supervisor of seminaries, 1955-61.

Sustained as Assistant to the Twelve Sept. 30, 1961.

Presided over the New England Mission from 1965-1968.

Ordained an apostle, April 9, 1970, at age 45.

Set apart as acting president of the Council of the Twelve, June 5, 1994.

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