Henry B. Eyring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry B. Eyring |
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| Second Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| January 14, 2018 | |
| Called by | Russell M. Nelson |
| Predecessor | Dieter F. Uchtdorf |
| First Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| February 3, 2008 – January 2, 2018 | |
| Called by | Thomas S. Monson |
| Predecessor | Thomas S. Monson |
| Successor | Dallin H. Oaks |
| End reason | Dissolution of First Presidency on death of Thomas S. Monson |
| Second Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| October 6, 2007 – January 27, 2008 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| Predecessor | James E. Faust |
| Successor | Dieter F. Uchtdorf |
| End reason | Dissolution of First Presidency on death of Gordon B. Hinckley |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| April 1, 1995 – October 6, 2007 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| End reason | Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| April 6, 1995 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| Reason | Death of Howard W. Hunter; reorganization of First Presidency |
| First Quorum of the Seventy | |
| October 3, 1992 – April 1, 1995 | |
| Called by | Ezra Taft Benson |
| End reason | Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
| First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric | |
| April 1, 1985 – October 3, 1992 | |
| Called by | Robert D. Hales |
| Predecessor | H. Burke Peterson |
| Successor | H. David Burton |
| Military career | |
| 1955–1957 | |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Henry Bennion Eyring May 31, 1933 Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education |
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| Spouse(s) |
Kathleen Johnson
(m. 1962; d. 2023) |
| Children | 6 (including Henry J. Eyring) |
| Parents | Henry Eyring Mildred Bennion |
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Henry Bennion Eyring (born May 31, 1933) is an American leader, author, and educator. He is a member of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This means he is one of the top leaders in the church.
Since January 2018, Eyring has been the Second Counselor to Russell M. Nelson in the First Presidency. Before that, he was the First Counselor to Thomas S. Monson from 2008 until Monson passed away. He also served as Second Counselor to Gordon B. Hinckley from 2007 to 2008.
Besides these roles, Eyring has served in other important positions within the church. These include the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric. He has also been the Commissioner of the Church Educational System twice.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Henry B. Eyring was born in Princeton, New Jersey. He was the second child of Henry Eyring, a famous chemist and professor. His mother was Mildred Bennion.
When Henry B. Eyring was a teenager, his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. His father became a professor at the University of Utah there. His aunt, Camilla Eyring, married Spencer W. Kimball, who later became the twelfth president of the church. This made Henry B. Eyring his nephew.
Military Service and Education
After high school, Eyring served two years in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Sandia Base in New Mexico. During this time, he also served as a missionary for the church in that area.
Eyring earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Utah. He then went on to study business at Harvard Business School. He earned both his master's and doctoral degrees there.
Academic and Business Career
In 1962, Eyring started working as a professor at Stanford University. He taught business there until 1971. He also spent some time as a visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Eyring helped start a computer company called System Industries. He also served twice as the Commissioner of Church Education. This role involves overseeing all the schools and educational programs run by the church.
Church Service and Leadership
Henry B. Eyring has held many leadership positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a bishop, which is a leader of a local church congregation. He also taught early-morning seminary, a religious class for high school students.
From 1971 to 1977, Eyring was the president of Ricks College, which is now BYU–Idaho. He also served as a counselor to the Presiding Bishop and as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
In 1995, Henry B. Eyring was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This is one of the highest governing bodies in the church.
Later, he was called to serve in the First Presidency. He was the Second Counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley. After President Hinckley passed away, he became the First Counselor to President Thomas S. Monson. When President Monson passed away, he was called as Second Counselor to President Russell M. Nelson.
As a member of the First Presidency, Eyring has traveled to many places around the world. He has dedicated several temples, which are special buildings for sacred church ceremonies. These include temples in El Salvador, Arizona, Utah, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. He also rededicated temples in Argentina and Mexico.
In 2014, Eyring met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. This was a historic meeting between a pope and a top leader from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Family Life
Henry B. Eyring met his wife, Kathleen Johnson, in 1960. They were married in the Logan Temple in 1962. The ceremony was performed by his uncle, Spencer W. Kimball. Kathleen passed away in 2023, after they had been married for 61 years.
They have six children: four sons and two daughters. One of their sons, Henry J. Eyring, was the president of BYU–Idaho from 2017 to 2023.
Honors and Recognition
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, University of Utah (2015)
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Utah Valley University (2017)
Images for kids
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Eyring while president of Ricks College
See also
In Spanish: Henry B. Eyring para niños
- Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
- Glenn L. Pace, counselor with Eyring in the presiding bishopric
