Henry B. Eyring

Henry B. Eyring is a current member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Henry Bennion Eyring was born on May 31, 1933 in New Jersey. He grew up in a small branch of the Church that often met in a hotel room or in the Eyring home. Both of his parents were highly educated. His father was a professor of chemistry at Princeton and earned numerous awards in his field. His mother was a graduate of the University of Utah and had pursued a doctoral degree.

Henry graduated with a degree in Physics from the University of Utah before entering the United States Air Force. The Air Force sent him to New Mexico. When he arrived he was called as a district missionary in the area and served almost exactly two full years. He then completed a Master's and PhD in Business Administration at Harvard Graduate School of Business. From there he decided to teach and found a position at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He met Kathleen Johnson in 1961 and they were married in July 1962 in the Logan Utah Temple.

In the following years, Henry B. Eyring continued to teach, served as an officer and director of Finnigan Instrument Corporation, founded and directed System Industries Incorporated (a computer manufacturing company), taught early morning seminary, and served twice as abishop.

In 1971 Henry B. Eyring was inaugurated as President of Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). While president, he also took the time to teach religion classes. The Eyring family grew to include four boys and two girls. After serving for five years as president at Ricks, Elder Eyring was asked to become deputy commissioner of the Church Educational System. Three years later he became commissioner.

In 1985 Henry B. Eyring was called to be in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. He was then called to the Seventy and continued working as Commissioner of the Church Educational System. On April 1, 1995 Henry B. Eyring was ordained as member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Quotes from Henry B. Eyring

• "There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages, and the casualties seem to be increasing. All of us have family members we love who are being buffeted by the forces of the destroyer, who would make all God’s children miserable. For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to add every force for good we can to the powers swirling around the people who are at risk."

“The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Ensign, May 1999

• "Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or have decided that I was an exception, I have come to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path which was prepared with loving care."

“Finding Safety in Counsel,” Friend, Aug. 1998