New members of the First Quorum of the Seventy and the General Relief Society Presidency were sustained Saturday, as was a new second counselor in the Young Women's General Presidency. Biographical information follows:
Gary J. Coleman, 55, first counselor, Mexico South Area Presidency, called to Second Quorum of the Seventy, June 1992; native of Wenatchee, Wash.; bachelor's degree, Washington State University; master's and doctor of education degrees, Brigham Young University; 28 years with Church Educational System; former associate director, institute of religion, Ogden; served as bishop, stake president's counselor, high councilor, mission president's counselor and mission president; wife, Judith England Coleman, six children.John M. Madsen, 57, president, Mexico North Area, called to Second Quorum of the Seventy, June 1992; bachelor's degree, Washington State University; master's and doctor of education degrees, Brigham Young University; former seminary teacher and coordinator, institute of religion instructor, Church Educational System; former director, Melchizedek Priesthood MIA; former associate professor, Brigham Young University; served as England Southwest mission president; regional representative, Young Men General Board member, Melchizedek Priesthood MIA General Board, missionary; wife, Diane Dursteler Madsen, five children.
Wm. Rolfe Kerr, 61, first counselor, North America Northwest Area Presidency; called to Second Quorum of Seventy, April 1996; former Utah commissioner of higher education; executive vice president, Brigham Young University; president, Dixie College; assistant to the president, Utah State University; and associate dean of students, University of Utah; native of Tremonton; bachelor's and master's degrees, Utah State University; doctorate, University of Utah; served as missionary, bishop's counselor, stake president, high councilor, Sunday School General Board member, mission president; wife, Janeil Raybould Kerr, six children.
Carl Burton Pratt, 55, attorney, Kirton & McConkie; legal counsel, South America North Area; bachelor's degree, University of Arizona; law degree, Arizona State University; served church as second counselor, South America North Area Presidency; area authority; regional representative; mission president; bishop's counselor; and missionary; wife, Karen Ann Yeoman Pratt, eight children.
Mary Ellen W. Smoot, Relief Society General President. Has been director of church hosting since April 1993 with her husband, Stanley M. Smoot; attended Utah State University; organized the Centerville Historical Society; board member of the South Davis Community Hospital and United Way; author of a history of Centerville; served on editorial board of The Friend magazine; Relief Society president; member of Church Correlation Writing Committee; missionary serving with her husband, who presided over the Ohio Columbus and Ohio Akron missions; seven children.
Virginia U. Jensen, Relief Society first counselor. Has been serving as church building hosting director; attended University of Utah; former secretary to the University of Utah Alumni Association and University of Utah Union; active in parent-teachers associations; served as an officer, teacher and board member of the Relief Society and Young Women's organization; Primary teacher, activities committee member; husband, J. Rees Jensen, four children.
Sheri L. Dew, Relief Society second counselor. Currently vice president of publishing for Deseret Book Co.; former associate publisher, This People magazine; former assistant editor, Bookcraft Publishers; earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University; served as a ward and stake Relief Society president, Sunday School teacher and Relief Society General Board member. She is believed to be the first single member of the Relief Society General Presidency.
Carol B. Thomas, second counselor, Young Women's General Presidency. Has served as Relief Society General Board member; attended University of Utah; served as stake Young Women's president, Relief Society officer and teacher, Primary chorister; husband, D. Ray Thomas, seven children.