Selected memorable happenings, important events and notable LDS Church service the the life of President Boyd K. Packer:
Sept. 10, 1924 — Born in Brigham City, 10th of the 11 children of Ira Wright and Emma Jensen Packer
1942 — Graduated from Box Elder High School
1942-1946 — Served with the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II
July 29, 1947 — Married Donna Edith Smith in the Logan Temple
1947 — Received Box Elder Junior Chamber’s Distinguished Service Award
April 10, 1948 — Sustained as assistant stake clerk in North Box Elder Stake
1948 — Graduated with honors from Weber College
1949 — Received bachelor of science in education from Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University)
March 12, 1950 — Ordained a Seventy
Sept. 23, 1950 — Sustained as high councilor in the Box Elder North Stake and later rdained a high priest (Dec. 11, 1950)
1950 — Elected to the Brigham City Council
1953 — Received master’s from Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University)
1955 — Named assistant administrator of seminaries and institutes of religion.
Aug. 12, 1961 — Appointed to the administrative council of BYU and Church School System
Sept. 30, 1961 — Sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve
April 1962 — Appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Children and Youth
1962 — Received Ph.D. in educational administration from BYU
1965-68 — Served as president of the New England Mission
April 9, 1970 — Called to the Quorum of the Twelve
November 1970 — Honored by the Utah State University Alumni Association
June 25, 1971 — Honored as Father of the Year by the Utah Civic Young Men’s Association
October 1972 — Begins service on the Scripture Committee; honored by the Weber State College Alumni Association
1979 — New LDS version of the King James Bible is published
1981 — New editions of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price are published
June 10, 1983 — Received honorary doctorate of humanities from Weber State College
April 19, 1985 — Received honorary doctorate of humanities from Brigham Young University
June 5, 1994 — Named acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve
Oct. 24, 1994 — Underwent surgery to replace his left hip and lengthen his left leg, enabling him to eventually walk normally
Sept. 19, 1995 — Received honorary degree from Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho)
June 8, 1996 — Received honorary doctorate of humanities from Utah State University
Feb. 28, 2004 — Received the J. Reuben Clark Law Society’s Distinguished Service Award
Sept. 10, 2004 — Celebrated his 80th birthday by spending a quiet day at home
Nov. 16, 2008 — Spoke to institute students at Weber State University on developing courage, also telling the congregation that he met and courted his wife, Donna, while they were attending Weber State
April 4, 2009 — He admonished young priesthood holders to “treasure and protect the masculine part of your nature. You must have respectful, protective regard for all women and girls. ...”
July 2009 — Received a Freedom Festival Award in Provo
Aug. 18, 2009 — Delivers the main talk to open the BYU Campus Education Week devotional
July 21, 2010 — Presides over ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Brigham City Temple
Sept. 23, 2012 — Dedicates the Brigham City Temple
Sept. 10, 2014 — Celebrates his 90th birthday
July 3, 2015 — Passed away at home with his wife, children and their spouses at his side.
Email: twalch@deseretnews.com