The First Presidency has called new presidents for five of the missionary training centers around the world. The new leaders and their wives will be trained at the Provo Missionary Training Center Jan. 11-15, and will begin their two-year terms of service following their training.
The new presidents and their wives and assignments are: James R. and Shirley Cloward Palmer, Brazil; Norman N. and Kay Irene Moser White, England; Richard L. and Denna Jena Phelps Millett, Mexico; L. Stephen and Annette Parkinson Nibley Richards, Philippines; David K. and Sharon Louise Peterson Richards, Spain.
James R. Palmer, 64, has served as president of the Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission, bishop, branch president, high priests group leader, high councilor, servicemen's coordinator, and gospel doctrine teacher. He has worked as director of medical services and administrative services at the Provo Missionary Training Center, associate chairman of university standards at BYU, and U.S. Air Force chaplain. He was born in Tremonton, Utah, to Rudger and Letitia Wight Palmer and raised in Park Valley, Utah. He married Shirley Cloward, and they are the parents of nine children. They are members of the Alpine 6th Ward, Alpine Utah Stake.
Sister Palmer has served as Relief Society president and counselor, Young Women's president, Primary president and teacher, and served with her husband in Brazil. She was born in Vernal, Utah, to Loran and Florence Gurr Cloward and raised in Neola, Utah.
Norman N. White, 68, has served as president of the California Sacramento Mission, missionary training center branch president, stake president, high councilor, gospel doctrine teacher and Scoutmaster. He has worked as associate administration director, director of training, in-field services representative and business manager at the Provo Missionary Training Center, and a U.S. Air Force officer. He was born in Beaver, Utah, to Burton Morgan and Della Mary Nelson White. He married Kay Irene Moser and they are the parents of seven children. They are members of the Edgemont 5th Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont Stake.
Sister White has served as stake Relief Society president, Lambda Delta Sigma adviser, ward Young Women's president, Primary president, and served with her husband in California. She was born in Turner Valley, Alberta, to John Franklin and Alpha Lula Moore Moser.
Richard L. Millett, 64, has served as president of the Florida Ft. Lauderdale and Puerto Rico San Juan missions, bishop, stake Young Men president and high councilor. He has worked as an in-field service representative for the Missionary Department, director of business services and missionary activities for the missionary training centers and owner of Millett's Markets. He was born in Mesa, Ariz., to William Howard and Lillian Mable Freestone Millett. He married Denna Jean Phelps, and they are the parents of seven children. They are members of the Edgemont 4th Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont Stake.
Sister Millett has served as Young Women president, stake Primary president, Sunday School teacher, Relief Society teacher, Primary teacher and with her husband in Florida and Puerto Rico. She was born in Mesa, Ariz., to Wayne Ellsworth and Mary Zoe Hill Phelps.
L. Stephen Richards, 72, has served as president of the Philippines Manila Mission, stake president's counselor, branch president, elders quorum president, and ward Young Men president. He has worked as a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon and assistant professor. He was born in San Francisco, Calif., to Lynn S. and Lucille Janette Covey Richards. He married Annette Parkinson Nibley, and they are the parents of seven children. They are members of the Monument Park 15th Ward, Salt Lake Monument Park Stake.
Sister Richards has served as a medical care specialist missionary, Primary president's counselor, Relief Society teacher, family history specialist, Young Women leader, and with her husband in the Philippines. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Preston and Ann Doney Parkinson Nibley.
David K. Richards, 67, has served as president of the Colombia Bogota Mission, high councilor, Aaronic Priesthood adviser, counselor in a branch presidency, and missionary in the Mexico and Central America missions. He has worked as an attorney, teacher and businessman. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Franklin Dewey and Helen Kearnes Richards. He married Sharon Louise Peterson, and they are the parents of three children. They are members of the East Millcreek 15th Ward, Salt Lake East Millcreek Stake.
Sister Richards has served as Young Women and Primary president, and served with her husband in Colombia. She was born in Boise, Idaho, to Willis S. and Blanche Elizabeth Austin Peterson.
