Ed J. Pinegar
Ed Jolley Pinegar was a retired dentist who also spent much of his life teaching, writing, and leading in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he was a member.
Pinegar was born on February 12, 1935, and raised in Provo, Utah, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and mathematics from Brigham Young University, where he also played basketball and tennis. He went on to earn a dental degree from the University of Southern California, and set up his practice in Provo. After one year, he was asked to put his practice to serve as a captain in the United States Army from 1962 to 1964.
He taught early morning Seminary and religion classes at BYU, BYU-Hawaii, and in Nauvoo, Illinois. He was a member of the Young Men general board, president of the England London South Mission, instructor at the Orem Institute of Religion, president of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, president of the England London South mission, a missionary in the Rochester New York Mission (Church historical sites), and president of the Manti Utah Temple. He was on the faculty at the Orem Institute of Religion, which is associated with Utah Valley University. He taught in BYU Continuing Education programs and Education Week for many years. He served as the bishop for the Church's worship service for 28 episodes, which had been televised on BYUtv from 1992 to the present.
Pinegar wrote more than sixty books on topics related to the gospel of Jesus Christ. His titles include The Temple: Gaining Knowledge and Power in the House of the Lord; Especially for Missionaries; Preparing for the Melchizedek Priesthood and My Mission; A Mighty Change; and 60 Minutes to a Great Mission. With Richard J. Allen, he wrote: Old Testament Who’s Who; Teachings and Commentaries on the New Testament; Book of Mormon Who’s Who; Your Patriarchal Blessing; Blessed from on High; and I Will Follow Thee: Daily Inspiration from the New Testament. He also wrote Leadership for Saints with Rodger Dean Duncan. Several of his books have been published as CDs, particularly his Especially for Missionaries series.
Pinegar and his wife, Patricia, are the parents of eight children. They have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She served as a counselor to the Young Women general president, and then as the Primary general president from 1994 to 1999.
He passed away on August 18, 2020.
