Boyd K. Packer

Donna Edith Smith Packer, wife of the late President Boyd K. Packer, died at home Saturday, March 5, 2022 from causes incident to age. She was 94.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his son, Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy, both shared remarks during the October 2020 general conference. But is this the first time two related individuals have spoken in the same conference?

The following excerpt from The Holy Temple originally ran on LDS Living in October 2016.

A number of years ago I went with a brother to tow in a wrecked car. It was a single-car accident, and the car was demolished; the driver, though unhurt, had been taken to the hospital for treatment of shock and for examination.

President Thomas S. Monson, in addressing the women of the Church in April 2005, gave evidence of his loving nature: “My dear sisters, may God bless you. We love you; we pray for you.” President Monson’s words reiterated a significant teaching: “Remember that you do not walk alone. The Lord has promised you: ‘I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.’”1 In at least three general conference addresses, President Monson has also declared, “How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean.”2

After changing my major three times in college, I was sold on journalism as my career goal. However, while I was looking at the job salary for journalists, I realized that I would not be able to save much money in my newly chosen career. My anxiety rose and my mind started spinning. “Should I change my career goal? Is it too late to become a nurse or engineer?” While my brain was filled with fearful thoughts about the future, the advice I’d received from my therapist reminded me that I need to calm down and realize that it was my fear that was creating these doubts in my mind.

Do Latter-day saints believe in soul mates?

The following excerpt from The Holy Temple by President Boyd K. Packer illustrates how we can receive "help from beyond" to do temple work.

The following is an excerpt from Memorable Stories and Parables by Boyd K. Packer.

The following is an excerpt from Memorable Stories and Parables by Boyd K. Packer.

One of the most beautiful things about the Church is how it brings people together from different backgrounds, and the pasts of the Brethren leading the Church today are no different. Find out what unique jobs some general authorities have held before they were called to serve.

Although we all miss Elder Boyd K. Packer, his humor and wisdom live on in the many stories and parables he told throughout his life and service as a general authority. The following parables, taken from his book Memorable Stories and Parables, will help you an answer everyday questions and defend your faith in difficult situations.

The following is an excerpt from then Elder Boyd K. Packer's April 1975 general conference talk, "An Appeal to Prospective Elders," during which he sang a nursery song in Japanese. To watch the song, skip to 6:13 in the talk.

Over the years, the pulpit in the Conference Center has been graced with many surprising, charming, touching, and humorous stories.

In 2015, the Huffington Post re-posted an article from the Salt Lake Tribune, reporting on a group of Latter-day Saint “preppers” who are preparing for the end of the world.

Many members of the Church feel a deep connection with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As we read their words and listen to them speak twice a year in general conference, we are able to learn from their unique spiritual strengths and distinct teaching styles. Since we are accustomed to seeing Church leaders in spiritual settings, it can be tempting to think of these men only in a spiritual light; however, they are multidimensional people with individual interests and personalities.

It isn't an easy task to narrow down the list of books written by prophets, apostles, and historians about the Church. The topics are varied and the viewpoints are many. However, there are certain books that have risen to the top and have stayed extremely relevant to readers over the years. We'd like to introduce our ultimate list of must-read LDS classics:

We love these men and the testimonies they bore as Apostles of Jesus Christ, through their actions and their words.

We thank all the brave men and women who have served in militaries around the world to protect their countries.

During his 54 years as a General Authority and his 45 years as an Apostle, a special witness “of the name of Christ in all the world” (D&C 107:23), President Packer humbly bore testimony. Shortly before his death on July 3, 2015, President Packer requested that the following excerpts from his ministry be shared in the Ensign. In the spirit of the Christmas season, they highlight his witness of and love for the Savior Jesus Christ.

Over the Halloween weekend, some Provo residents decided to turn the holiday into a way to celebrate the life and legacy of three great men who recently passed away: President Boyd K. Packer, Elder L. Tom Perry, and Elder Richard G. Scott.

A lot has happened in the world and within the Church since last general conference—from the US Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage to the death of three Apostles to the dedication of four new temples. It's incredible to think just how much can change over six short months. Take a look!

President Packer learned and shared many words of wisdom and insights over his 50 years as an apostle. From that treasure trove of knowledge comes the eternal truths that President Packer felt were most important to know and share. Truths that have become a powerful final witness that Jesus is the Christ.

When President Boyd K. Packer was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he and his wife, Sister Donna Smith Packer, decided to move closer to Church headquarters so he wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time commuting to their home, which was then in Lindon, Utah. They found a home on enough acreage where they could have a garden and keep animals and birds so their children could have daily chores. In those days, before widespread development, the home was essentially in the country.

President Boyd K. Packer was one of the most authoritative and straight-forward voices of the Twelve. His masterful teaching ability conveyed gospel truths to all within the sound of his voice, and his powerful testimony taught us about the nature of Christ and His relationship with His disciples. Many have referred to President Packer as a ‘watchtower’, and the warnings and admonitions he has given over the years have proven invaluable to members of the church, particularly at a time with many spiritual challenges. Statements made over 20 years ago by President Packer have proven to be very applicable for our day.

In an August 2014 talk, Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, counseled church members to share "messages that are authentic, edifying and praiseworthy — and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood." General authorities and general auxiliaries for the church are becoming increasingly involved by posting to their officialFacebook and Twitter pages.

Today's funeral for President Boyd K. Packer focused more on doctrine than your average funeral--just the way President Packer would have wanted it.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, stood on the Senate floor Tuesday evening and delivered a tribute to President Boyd K. Packer, who died Friday at age 90 after serving more than half a century as a general authority of the LDS Church.

Early last week, President Boyd K. Packer was preparing his talk for the upcoming October general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before his health began to fail and he died Friday at 90 years old of causes incident to old age.

Sustained April 9, 1970, age 46

Over the past few days, a photograph of Glenn Beck and President Boyd K. Packer has been making the rounds on social media. Check out the photo, posted by Beck on Father's Day:

President Boyd K. Packer was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April of 1970. This year marks 45 years he has served as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Pres. Packer was 45 years old when he was called, so he has now been an apostle for half his life. To honor this anniversary, here are 44 Boyd K. Packer General Conference quotes—one from each year he’s been an apostle. I believe I speak for millions of people when I say, “We love you, President Packer!”

Boyd K. Packer is the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is also a man who has had the trial of overcoming polio, received the blessing of a wonderful wife and ten children, and has selflessly offered himself to the Lord’s work (“Boyd K. Packer”). In this biography of Boyd K. Packer, read about his early years of trials, blessings, and spiritual growth.

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-->See below for the art of President Boyd K. Packer

Some years ago Sister Packer and I were in Czechoslovakia, then behind the Iron Curtain. It was not easy to obtain visas, and we used great care so as not to jeopardize the safety and well-being of our members, who for generations had struggled to keep their faith alive under conditions of unspeakable oppression.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes feel as if they know everything about their church leaders. And why not? With General Conference addresses twice every year and dozens more devotionals and speeches scattered in between, church members hear their share of their leaders’ personal experiences. But members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have little-known hobbies and hidden talents some members might not know about. Here are a few.

With all the questions regarding marriage and priesthood lately, we should not be surprised to see that the Church has given us insight on such things so many years prior to things coming to a head, as they seem to be doing in the USA now.

See just how much time these men have given in service of the Church! Their appearances may have changed over the years, but the selfless leadership and inspired messages of these men are timeless.

Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the newest temple in the Church in Brigham City, Utah. A native of this northern Utah Mormon pioneer-settled city, President Packer dedicated the 139th temple in the Church and the 14th in Utah after having broken ground on the Brigham City Utah Temple 31 July 2010.

Pair of Lazuli Buntings with Iris, 1983 (pg. 152)

Priesthood leaders of 13 stakes in Layton, Utah, gathered on Saturday, Feb. 25, to receive instruction from President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.Elder M. Russell Ballard, also of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Tad R. Callister, recently-appointed member of the Presidency of the Seventy, also provided instruction. Joining these Church leaders were Elder J. Roger Fluhman, Area Seventy; President Douglas L. Callister, president of the Bountiful Utah Temple and a former member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy; and Utah Ogden Mission President R. Brent Olson.

The president of the Navajo Nation visited with Church leaders in Salt Lake City June 28 to discuss the challenges and opportunities that face his people.Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly met in the First Presidency board room with President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve.

President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, suffered a brief fainting spell following services for the rededication of the Longfellow Park meetinghouse in Cambridge, Mass. on June 19. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he stayed overnight for observation.

President Boyd K. Packer, president of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was released from a Massachusetts hospital today following a brief fainting spell Sunday. "President Packer is feeling better," LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter. "He is flying home . . . and is grateful for the expressions of concern for his well-being."