Boyd K. Packer

President Boyd K. Packer is the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Boyd Kenneth Packer was born on September 10, 1924 in Brigham City, Utah. Although he was the tenth of eleven children born to Ira and Emma Packer, he was the first to be born in a hospital. He grew up as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized into the Church as a child. While still a young boy, Packer suffered from what the doctors believed to be pneumonia. However, after he became well again, he found he was initially unable to walk. It was not until he reached adulthood that he learned that he had actually had polio. As he reached the age to go on a full-time mission for the Church, World War II began. Instead of serving a full-time mission, President Packer served in the U.S. Army as a fighter pilot. It was while he was on one of his missions that he decided that he wanted to pursue a career as a teacher.

While in Japan, Boyd K. Packer performed the baptism for the first person baptized in Japan after World War II.

When the war ended, President Packer attended Weber State University and later Utah State University. One Sunday, President Packer was asked to give a talk in a ward that he did not attend. A young woman named Donna Edith Smith was at the meeting and later said that when upon hearing him speak she thought “Now, this is the type of man I would wish to marry.” On July 28, 1947, Boyd K. Packer and Donna Smith were married, together they had 10 children. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, President Packer taught seminary in Brigham City for six years. At the same time, he also worked on getting his master’s degree from Utah State University. President Packer later went on to get a PhD from Brigham Young University. While working with the seminary, President Packer helped to open the first seminary for Native Americans. Later President Packer was asked to work with the Church’s Publication Committee allowing him to assist in the production of numerous editions of the scriptures.

President Packer developed talents as an artist and learned how to carve and paint beautifully. At one point he even considered becoming a professional artist. President Packer continues to exercise these talents; he has even illustrated a few books. One such book, published in 1977, was entitled Mothers. President Packer wrote the book and created the beautiful pictures of birds that are shown every couple of pages. Some of his carvings of birds, and a 'Noah's Ark' with carved animals he made for his grandchildren, were displayed in an exhibition at the Church Museum of History and Art in Salt Lake City.

On October 1, 1961, Boyd K. Packer was called to be an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The calling was a surprise and given to him only about an hour before it was to be announced in General Conference. His wife and family learned about the calling as it was being announced to the rest of the members of the Church. President Packer was only 37 and the youngest of the General Authorities. In 1965 he was given an additional calling, to be the Mission President for the New England States mission where he served until 1968. On April 9, 1970, Boyd K. Packer was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

In 1995, Boyd K. Packer was called to be the acting President of the Twelve, which means that it is his duty to preside over the other apostles. President Packer is well known for his knowledge of the scriptures and for his quick wit. In addition to serving in the Church, President Packer actively serves in the community. He has been a city councilman, and has received awards for his efforts in educational and civic affairs. In 2008 he became President of the Quorum of the twelve as President Hinckley passed away and President Thomas S Monson became president of the church. He was President of the twelve however since he was in the first presidency President Packer served as acting president.

Quotes from President Boyd K. Packer

• "We may one day stand alone, but we will not change or lower our standards or change our course."

"On the Shoulders of Giants," BYU J. Reuben Clark Law Society Devotional, February 2004

• "We need not fear. Fear is the opposite of faith. I have been in the councils of the Church and seen many things, I have seen disappointment and shock and concern. Never once have I seen any fear."

"The One Pure Defense," Address to CES Religious Educators, February 2004

• "Often, however, the things we carry are petty, even stupid. If you are still upset after all these years because Aunt Clara didn't come to your wedding reception, why don't you grow up? Forget it. If you brood constantly over some past mistake, settle it—look ahead. If the bishop didn't call you right—or release you right—forget it. If you resent someone for something he has done—or failed to do—forget it. We call that forgiveness. It is powerful, spiritual medicine. The instructions for its use are found in the scriptures.

"The Balm of Gilead," Ensign, November 1977, 59-61; November 1987, 16-18