Elder H. Burke Peterson, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and who served in the Presiding Bishopric, died on April 14, 2013, at his home in Bountiful, Utah. He was 89.

"At a young age, [his] testimony of the gospel blossomed as he learned the value of personal prayer and scripture study," his obituary reads. "His life was blessed as he dedicated himself to the Lord."

His first call to serve as a General Authority came on April 6, 1972, when he became the first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. He served in that capacity for 13 years, until he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 6, 1985.

As a Seventy, Elder Peterson served in many different assignments. He was president of the Jordan River Utah Temple from May 19, 1985, until he was assigned as president of the North America Southwest Area of the Church in August 1987. He served there until 1990, when he was assigned as president of the North America Central Area and as an assistant executive director of the Temple Department until his release on Oct. 2, 1993.

Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Peterson was a consulting civil engineer by profession in Phoenix, Ariz.

He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1947, earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering; in 1948 he earned a master's degree in civil engineering from Utah State University. From 1942-1946 he served in the U.S. Navy as an officer in the Seabees.

While attending school in Arizona he met Brookie Mae Cardon; they were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple on June 27, 1947. They raised their family of five daughters in Arizona until his call to the Presiding Bishopric, at which time they moved to Bountiful, Utah.

His professional career also included work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1955 he became a founding partner in the Engineering Corporation of America.

Elder Peterson was born on Sept. 19, 1923, to Harold A. and Juna T. Peterson in Salt Lake City, Utah. Preceding him in death are his wife and two daughters. He is survived by three children, 24 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren.

He was remembered in his obituary for "his happy spirit, crushing bear hugs, sweet nicknames and enthusiasm that never failed to bring us cheer."

A funeral is scheduled for April 20 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful Hills Ward building. 1190 E. Bountiful Hills Drive, Bountiful, Utah.

A report on his funeral, April 20, will be pusblished April 28.