Three new mission presidents have been called by the First Presidency. The mission presidents and their wives will begin their service about July 1. The new mission presidents and their assignments are:
- Gary Lynn Blackner, 62, California Carlsbad Mission; Chambers Creek Ward, Tacoma Washington South Stake; temple worker, high councilor, former stake president's counselor, stake mission president's counselor, bishop, high priests group leader; retired Church Educational System area director and seminary and institute teacher; received associate degree from College of Southern Utah, and bachelor's, master's and Ed.D. degrees from BYU; born in Beaver, Utah, to Allen James and Ethel Baldwin Blackner; married Catherine Jane Carter, eight children. She is ward Relief Society president and temple worker, and former stake Relief Society president and ward Relief Society president's counselor, Primary president and counselor, Young Women's president and counselor, and early morning seminary teacher; born in Minersville, Utah, to Guy William and Effie Myers Carter.- David F. Evans, 46, Japan Nagoya Mission; Ensign 6th Ward, Salt Lake Ensign Stake; former stake president's counselor, stake Young Men president, stake mission president, bishop, bishop's counselor and Scoutmaster; attorney, partner in Snell & Willmer; received bachelor's degree from University of Utah, juris law degree from BYU; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to David C. and Beverly Joy Frewin Evans; married Mary Dee Shepherd, eight children. Sister Evans is a Young Women secretary and former Young Women president, Primary president's counselor, Primary music leader, Relief Society president's counselor and Relief Society instructor. She received a bachelor's degree from University of Utah; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Heber J. and Edith Evans Shepherd.
- M. Keith Giddens, 41, New Jersey Cherry Hill Mission; Kennesaw Mountain Ward, Powder Springs Georgia Stake; stake president's counselor and former bishop, bishop's counselor, elders quorum president, Sunday School teacher; self-employed mortgage broker; received bachelor's degree in business management from Kennesaw State University; born in Augusta, Ga., to Johnny M. Jr. and Glady Lenora Clark Giddens; married Rhonda Jean Smith; four children. Sister Giddens is Mia Maid adviser and assistant den leader and a former counselor in the Young Women, Primary and Relief Society presidencies, stake Primary music leader and instructor in the Relief Society; attended BYU; born in Atlanta, Ga., to Gene Allen and Patricia Ann Palmer Smith.