Difference between revisions of "Joe J. Christensen"

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'''Joe Junior Christensen''' (born [[21 July]] [[1929]] in [[Banida, Idaho|Banida]], [[Idaho]]) was the president of [[Ricks College]] from 1985 to 1989 and has been a [[general authority]] in [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) since 1989. He was also [[Temple president|president]] of the [[San Diego California Temple]] from 1999 to 2002.
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[[image: Mormon_Joe_J._Christensen.jpg|150px|left|alt=Mormon General Authority Joe J Christensen|Elder Joe J Christensen]]'''Joe Junior Christensen''' was an emeritus [[General Authorities|general authority]] of [http://comeuntochrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]. He was the president of [[BYU-Idaho|Ricks College]] from 1985 to 1989 and was president of the [[San Diego California Temple]] from 1999 to 2002.
  
Elder Christensen served as an officer in the [[United States Air Force]]<ref>{{cite web | title = "The Presidents and First Ladies of Ricks College" | publisher = [[BYU-Idaho]] | url = http://www.lib.byui.edu/exhibits/Presidents/christensen.html | accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref> during the [[Korean War]], from 1953 to 1955.<ref>Freeman, Robert C. and Wright, Dennis A. ''Saints at War: Korea and Vietnam''. Covenant Communications, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2003.</ref>  He received a bachelors degree from [[Brigham Young University]] and a Ph.D. from Washington State University. After this he worked for several years as a seminary and institute instructor and supervisor. From 1962-1970 Elder Christensen was the head of the Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah.
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Christensen was born on July 21, 1929, in Banida, Idaho, where he grew up. He attended two years of college at Utah State University. He served as full-time [[Missionary|missionary]] in Mexico and Central America where he met his future bride, Barbara Kohler, who was also serving as a missionary. They married in 1952 and had six children.
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He served as an officer in the United States Air Force<ref>{{cite web | title = "The Presidents and First Ladies of Ricks College" | publisher = [[BYU-Idaho]] | url = http://www.lib.byui.edu/exhibits/Presidents/christensen.html | accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref> during the Korean War, from 1953 to 1955.<ref>Freeman, Robert C. and Wright, Dennis A. ''Saints at War: Korea and Vietnam''. Covenant Communications, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2003.</ref>  He received a bachelor's degree from [[Brigham Young University]] and a PhD from Washington State University. He then worked for several years as a [[Seminary]] and [[Institute]] instructor and supervisor. From 1962 to 1970, Christensen was the head of the Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah.
  
For a few months in 1970 Christensen served as president of the LDS mission headquartered in [[Mexico City]]. He was however appointed to work under [[Neal A. Maxwell]] in running seminaries and institutes, and therefore replaced as mission president.<ref>[http://alumni.byu.edu/Sections/chapters/pdf/globalization.pdf talk by Christensen on the expansion of the seminaries and institutes outside of the United States and Canada]</ref>
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For a few months in 1970 Christensen served as president of the Church mission headquartered in Mexico City. He was, however, appointed to work under [[Neal A. Maxwell]] in administering [[Seminary|seminaries]] and [[Institute|institutes]] throughout the Church, and therefore was released as mission president.<ref>[http://alumni.byu.edu/Sections/chapters/pdf/globalization.pdf talk by Christensen on the expansion of the seminaries and institutes outside of the United States and Canada]</ref> “At that time, the seminaries and institutes of religion were just beginning in non-English-speaking countries,” explained Elder Christensen. “So for the next nine years, I traveled to 66 countries around the world as the seminaries and institutes were being established. Those were exciting years.”[https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-05-18/elder-joe-j-christensen-general-authority-ricks-college-provo-mtc-213685]
  
He was associate commissioner of the [[Church Educational System]] from 1970 to 1985, interrupted by a four-year term as president of the LDS Church's [[Missionary Training Center]] in [[Provo, Utah]]. In 1985, Christensen became president of [[Ricks College]] in [[Rexburg, Idaho]].  
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He was associate commissioner of the [[Church Educational System]] from 1970 to 1985, interrupted by a four-year term as president of the Church's [[Missionary Training Center]] in Provo, Utah. In 1985, Christensen became president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.  
  
In 1989, Christensen was called as a general authority in LDS Church, where he served in the [[Presidency of the Seventy]].<ref>[http://gapages.com/chrisjj1.htm Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Joe J. (Junior) Christensen]</ref> He was given general authority emeritus status in 1999.
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Christensen also served as a member of the Melchizedek Priesthood MIA and Young Men general boards, counselor in the [[Sunday School]] general presidency (under [[Russell M. Nelson]]), and [[Regional Representative|regional representative]].
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In 1989, Christensen was called as a general authority of the Church, where he served in the First Quorum of the [[Seventy]] and the [[Presidency of the Seventy]].<ref>[http://gapages.com/chrisjj1.htm Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Joe J. (Junior) Christensen]</ref> He was given general authority emeritus status in 1999.
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He served in various assignments from the [[First Presidency]] and was a stake patriarch. He is the author of several ''Ensign'' articles and a few books, including ''One Step at a Time: Building a Better Marriage, Family, and You,'' ''To Grow in Spirit: A Ten-Point Plan for Becoming More Spiritual,'' ''Welcome Home! Advice for the Returned Missionary,'' and ''Making Your Home a Missionary Training Center'' (with his wife, Barbara Christensen).
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Christensen died on May 18, 2021. His wife, Barbara, died on June 14, 2022.
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==General Conference Talks==
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* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1999/04/greed-selfishness-and-overindulgence?lang=eng "Greed, Selfishness, and Overindulgence," April 1999]
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* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/10/the-savior-is-counting-on-you?lang=eng "The Savior Is Counting on You," October 1996]
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* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/04/marriage-and-the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng "Marriage and the Great Plan of Happiness," April 1995]
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* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/rearing-children-in-a-polluted-environment?lang=eng "Rearing Children in a Polluted Environment," October 1993]
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* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1989/10/good-memories-are-real-blessings?lang=eng "Good Memories Are Real Blessings," October 1989]
  
 
== Speeches ==
 
== Speeches ==
* [http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=7704 "Resolutions"]
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* [https://video.byui.edu/media/Joe+J.+Christensen+%22The+Prophet+Joseph+and+Standing+for+Truth%22/0_0j86zmyk/11602882 "The Prophet Joseph and Standing for Truth," BYU-Idaho devotional, October 2013]
* [http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=363&tid=7 "Powerful Truths That Make a Difference in Our Lives"]
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* [https://video.byui.edu/media/Joe+J.+Christensen+%22Toward+Greater+Happiness+and+Success%22/0_5qxycvci "Toward Greater Happiness and Success," BYU-Idaho devotional, February 2008]
* [http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=123 "On Making Revelation a Personal Reality"]
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* [https://video.byui.edu/media/Joe+J.+Christensen+%22Latter-day+Temples+and+Temple+Worship%22/0_92nfz3ge "Latter-day Temples and Temple Worship," BYU-Idaho devotional, February 2003]
* [http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=1662 "The Responsibility of Our Heritage"]
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* [https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/joe-j-christensen/powerful-truths-make-difference-lives/ "Powerful Truths That Make a Difference in Our Lives," BYU devotional, October 1998]
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* [https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/joe-j-christensen/resolutions/ "Resolutions," BYU devotional, January 1994]
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* [https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/joe-j-christensen/making-revelation-a-personal-reality/?M=A "On Making Revelation a Personal Reality," BYU devotional, June 1980]
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* [https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/joe-j-christensen/the-responsibility-of-our-heritage/?M=A "The Responsibility of Our Heritage," BYU devotional, July 1972]
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==Books==
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*One Step at a Time: Building a Better Marriage, Family, and You
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*Making Your Home a Missionary Training Center (with Barbara K. Christensen)
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*To Grow in Spirit: A Ten-Point Plan for Becoming More Spiritual
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*Welcome Home! Advice for the Returned Missionary
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==References==
 
==References==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
*[http://gapages.com/chrisjj1.htm Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Joe J. Christensen]
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*[https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-05-18/elder-joe-j-christensen-general-authority-ricks-college-provo-mtc-213685 "Elder Joe J. Christensen, emeritus General Authority Seventy, dies at age 91"]
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christensen, Joe J.}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christensen, Joe J.}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
 
[[Category:Church Educational System instructors]]
 
[[Category:Brigham Young University alumni]]
 
[[Category:Missionaries in Mexico]]
 
 
[[Category:General presidents of the Sunday School]]
 
[[Category:General presidents of the Sunday School]]
[[Category:Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy]]
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[[Category:Presidents of the Seventy]]
[[Category:Missionaries in the United States]]
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[[Category:Regional representatives]][[Category:Brigham Young University alumni]]
[[Category:Idaho Latter-day Saints]]
 
[[Category:Living people]]
 
 
[[Category:Presidents of Brigham Young University–Idaho]]
 
[[Category:Presidents of Brigham Young University–Idaho]]
[[Category:Temple presidents]]
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[[Category:Famous Mormons]]
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[[Category:American Latter-day Saints]]
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[[Category:Missionaries in Mexico]]

Latest revision as of 19:50, 28 July 2023

Mormon General Authority Joe J Christensen
Joe Junior Christensen was an emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the president of Ricks College from 1985 to 1989 and was president of the San Diego California Temple from 1999 to 2002.

Christensen was born on July 21, 1929, in Banida, Idaho, where he grew up. He attended two years of college at Utah State University. He served as full-time missionary in Mexico and Central America where he met his future bride, Barbara Kohler, who was also serving as a missionary. They married in 1952 and had six children.

He served as an officer in the United States Air Force[1] during the Korean War, from 1953 to 1955.[2] He received a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a PhD from Washington State University. He then worked for several years as a Seminary and Institute instructor and supervisor. From 1962 to 1970, Christensen was the head of the Institute of Religion adjacent to the University of Utah.

For a few months in 1970 Christensen served as president of the Church mission headquartered in Mexico City. He was, however, appointed to work under Neal A. Maxwell in administering seminaries and institutes throughout the Church, and therefore was released as mission president.[3] “At that time, the seminaries and institutes of religion were just beginning in non-English-speaking countries,” explained Elder Christensen. “So for the next nine years, I traveled to 66 countries around the world as the seminaries and institutes were being established. Those were exciting years.”[1]

He was associate commissioner of the Church Educational System from 1970 to 1985, interrupted by a four-year term as president of the Church's Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. In 1985, Christensen became president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

Christensen also served as a member of the Melchizedek Priesthood MIA and Young Men general boards, counselor in the Sunday School general presidency (under Russell M. Nelson), and regional representative.

In 1989, Christensen was called as a general authority of the Church, where he served in the First Quorum of the Seventy and the Presidency of the Seventy.[4] He was given general authority emeritus status in 1999.

He served in various assignments from the First Presidency and was a stake patriarch. He is the author of several Ensign articles and a few books, including One Step at a Time: Building a Better Marriage, Family, and You, To Grow in Spirit: A Ten-Point Plan for Becoming More Spiritual, Welcome Home! Advice for the Returned Missionary, and Making Your Home a Missionary Training Center (with his wife, Barbara Christensen).

Christensen died on May 18, 2021. His wife, Barbara, died on June 14, 2022.

General Conference Talks

Speeches

Books

  • One Step at a Time: Building a Better Marriage, Family, and You
  • Making Your Home a Missionary Training Center (with Barbara K. Christensen)
  • To Grow in Spirit: A Ten-Point Plan for Becoming More Spiritual
  • Welcome Home! Advice for the Returned Missionary


References

  1. Template:Cite web
  2. Freeman, Robert C. and Wright, Dennis A. Saints at War: Korea and Vietnam. Covenant Communications, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2003.
  3. talk by Christensen on the expansion of the seminaries and institutes outside of the United States and Canada
  4. Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Joe J. (Junior) Christensen

External links