Elder Boyd K. Packer: Disciple of the Master Teacher

By Don L. Searle of oxen represents the pulling together of the family. The Assistant Editor symbol also represents a reminder that children be taught, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me … For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (See Matt. 11:29–30.)

Ensign, Jun 1986, 8 Elder Packer’s ancestors (like those of his wife) were pioneer Latter-day Saints. But the timing of his ancestors’ arrival in Utah is not so important as the values they taught their descendants. The qualities of character The brass knocker on the symbolized in that yoked ox emblem suggest much about door is in the form of a yoked ox. Boyd Kenneth Packer. Visitors who lift the bow of the yoke to tap on the door may notice two sets of initials He was born 10 September 1924 in Brigham City, underneath, one on each side of the bow—“I.W.P.” and Utah, the fifth son and tenth child in the family. His early “E.J.P.”—for Ira Wight Packer and Emma Jensen Packer. years were spent in a two-story home on South Main Street, but when he was twelve his family moved into an You can find an identical brass knocker on the apartment in the Packer Motor Company building. His front door of each of the children of Ira and Emma Packer, father, a skilled, industrious mechanic, struggled for many and on the doors of many of their grandchildren. This one years building the business of his garage, and later the happens to be on the home of Elder Boyd K. Packer of the motor company. Council of the Twelve, who carved the wooden original from which the brass ornaments were patterned. “Sometimes in my growing years I thought we were poor,” Elder Packer would write later in a short life It is important to understand this family emblem history. “I later learned that that was not true. We just in order to understand some of the influences that have didn’t have any money. We were always rich in the things shaped the man who carved it. Sister Donna Packer can most significant in our lives.” provide the guest with a parchment sheet bearing a picture of the emblem and an explanation of its origin and From his early years, he showed a love of the out- symbolic meaning. of-doors, and of nature. Usually there was some kind of pet around while he was growing up. He had a particular In 1947, to mark the centennial of the pioneers’ fondness for birds. Mounted in his book of remembrance arrival in the Salt Lake Valley, a “wagon train” of cars is a drawing of a bird that won a prize at the Utah State reenacted the trek. The travelers met in Nauvoo, Illinois, Fair when he was a boy. and then followed the pioneer route to Salt Lake City. Like other drivers in the caravan, Ira Packer had rigged a That fondness for birds has persisted. Across the cloth wagon top over the roof of his car and attached a driveway from the Packers’ front door is an enclosure plywood ox on each front fender. With his children containing live birds ranging from peacocks to golden gathered to see their father and mother off on the trip, Ira pheasants to pigeons. Inside the house, his carefully took a paint brush and “branded” the two oxen, painting detailed carvings of birds, painted in natural colors, catch “I.W.P.” on one and “E.J.P” on the other. They the visitor’s eye. The carvings display not only a represented, he said, “the best team that ever pulled sensitivity to the creatures, but a reverence for the artistry together in this life.” of the Creator.

There is more to the story of the brass door With what little spare ornament, however, than the bond that existed between Ira time he has, Elder Packer may and Emma Packer. The yoked ox, the parchment sheet take up to a year to produce one explains, symbolizes the faith and dedication that is the of his delicate bird carvings. strength of the Packers and their ancestors, and the team (Photography by Michael M. McConkie and Jed A. Clark.) Each of the carvings takes about a year for Elder It was Brother Packer’s goal to be a teacher, and Packer to produce, using what little spare time he may he pursued that dream. He received an associate degree have. Elder Packer also enjoys painting and sculpture. But from Weber in 1948 and a bachelor’s degree from Utah there was little time for these activities until recent years, State University in Logan in 1949. He would later receive for being a father always came first. From his youth, it a master’s degree from Utah State, in 1953, and a doctor seems, he has kept eternal goals in view. of education degree from Brigham Young University, in 1962. Young manhood came to Boyd Packer about the time World War II began. After graduation from high Those were busy years. In addition to functioning school, he worked for a time on construction of an army in local church callings—teacher, assistant stake clerk, hospital in his hometown. Like many young LDS men of high councilor—he began teaching seminary in 1949. The his generation, he was unable to serve a proselyting old army hospital in Brigham City which he had helped mission because of the war. In the spring of 1943, he build was turned into a federally run school for Indian enlisted in the Army Air Force, graduating as a pilot the students, and from 1949 until mid-1955 the young following year, a few days before his twentieth birthday. seminary teacher served as Coordinator of Indian Affairs He was then trained to fly bombers and ordered to the in connection with the school for the Church Educational Pacific Theater. He was stationed in Japan for nearly a System. In that role, it was his opportunity to work year after the end of the war. frequently with Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Council of the Twelve. From the experiences of war and its aftermath, he drew lessons of peace which have on occasion been During this same period, he served a four-year recalled as he has taught the Saints. Once, in a general term as a city councilman in Brigham City. In this, too, conference talk, he reflected on being guided as a pilot by there were lessons to be drawn from life. Experiences in the signal from a radio beacon. Sometimes amid storms local government taught him (and the impressions would pilots had to listen very closely to hear the signal. “There be confirmed in later Church service) that many people is a spiritual beam, with a constant signal,” he counseled. are willing to pass judgment on the actions of those “If you know how to pray and how to listen, spiritually leading an organization without access to the knowledge listen, you may move through life, through clear weather, (or spiritual influence) that shaped their decisions. In a through storms, through wars, through peace, and be all 1979 conference talk, he cautioned against that error, and right.” (Ensign, Nov. 1979, p. 21.) affirmed:

While in the military, he found ample opportunity “Stand steady. Keep your faith. I bear witness that to study the scriptures. He read the Book of Mormon the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. God lives and directs several times; today he refers to the book as “the single this work. The Church is on the right course. It is on most powerful influence in my life.” In the spirit of the schedule. And I bear witness that it is righteously led by a book, he also found time to engage, along with other LDS prophet of God.” (Ensign, May 1979, p. 81.) servicemen, in preaching the gospel of peace to the Japanese. Among those who learned of the gospel from In 1955, Boyd Packer was appointed an assistant servicemen were Tatsui Sato and his wife Chio. When the administrator of seminaries and institutes in the Church time came for their baptism, it was Boyd Packer’s Educational System, and the position made it necessary to privilege to perform the ordinance for Sister Sato. C. move his family south the following year, to Lindon, a Elliot Richards, now a physician in Salt Lake City small community near Brigham Young University. He baptized Brother Sato. Later, Brother Sato’s translation served in that administrative position until October 1961, work would make it possible for many Japanese to enjoy when he was called as an Assistant to the Twelve. He was the scriptures and the temple ceremonies in their own sustained to the Council of the Twelve in April of 1970. language. With a growing family, growing responsibilities, Boyd Packer returned home in 1946 and enrolled and continuing education, at Weber (now Weber State) College, in nearby Ogden. It those early years of marriage was there he met Donna Edith Smith, also from Brigham were very full. How was he City. They were married 27 July 1947 in the Logan able to do so much? Temple.

They would become the parents of ten children: Allan, Kenneth, David, Laurel, Russell, Spencer, Gayle, Elder Packer credits Kathleen, Lawrence, and Eldon. his wife, Donna, with much of his success because of her strengths as a companion. Theirs is that kind of relationship. On family (Photography by Michael M. McConkie and Jed A. matters, they seem almost to speak as one mind. Elder Clark.) Packer says this facility has developed as they have grown together through their marriage. His wife notes also that they agree because they have taken pains to plan unitedly, far in advance, to meet their children’s needs and help each one of them develop his or her talents with educational opportunities suited to the individual. “All of that can be explained in two words: my wife,” Elder Packer says. “She’s perfect. And,” he adds Their home, for example, sits on a large wooded with a twinkle in his eye, “I’m on Church property when I lot where they could have farm animals and pets and the say that, so I have to tell the truth.” The word “perfect” is children could have chores to do. Each of the children was mentioned frequently when he talks about his wife. given the opportunity to develop musical abilities, as well as other special interests—electronics, sewing, drawing, She smiles at the description. “He says that so I’ll mechanics—as these became apparent. The home is a try to improve myself,” she explains. showcase of items made by family members. To one side of the house is a workshop where parents or children It becomes quickly obvious, however, that Donna could spread out projects and take the time needed to Packer is a very accomplished woman—skilled finish them. Currently it houses the 1940 tractor Eldon, a homemaker, talented church worker, genealogical junior in high school, bought from a neighbor and restored researcher. She is currently writing a book on the Packer to good running order. genealogy, and her corner of the family room is filled with file cabinets and shelves where her materials are stored. All but two of the Packers’ married children—and These are the accumulation of years, built slowly at first thirty of their thirty-seven grandchildren—live within an while her children were small, but growing more rapidly hour’s drive. The children visit their parents frequently. as she is able to devote more time to the project. (At Elder and Sister Packer’s urging, their married children also try to participate often in activities with their When he was starting out as a seminary teacher, spouses’ families.) Sister Packer takes the lead in planning Brother Packer made the acquaintance of a young ex- an annual summer reunion for their family; she gives it a Marine who was also teaching in the seminary—A. theme dealing with one or another of the Packer ancestors Theodore Tuttle, now a member of the First Quorum of and that person’s occupation or activities. the Seventy. It has been an enduring friendship. In a foreword to Elder Packer’s book Teach Ye Diligently While the children were growing up, their home (illustrated, incidentally, by the author; the cover includes life revolved in many ways around their mother. She had a painting of some of the Packer children), Elder Tuttle to help motivate them and had to speak for the parental wrote: “There is one source of inspiration available to team when her husband was away in connection with Elder Packer that is not available to anyone else. That is Church service. But always the children have known that Donna. … She is the one who has borne their ten children his support was with her and with them. —and borne much of the responsibility of rearing them, due to his call as ‘special witness.’ She it is who is his “I have tried I have earnestly tried when I have friend, his sweetheart, his quiet support.” (In Boyd K. been home with the children to be with the children,” Packer, Teach Ye Diligently, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Elder Packer says. That meant spending a little time with Company, 1975, pp. viii–ix.) each one each day, where possible.

In Donna Packer’s case, “quiet support” does not Allan Packer says his father deliberately made mean passivity. She is a dynamic woman. “She’s a great himself available in the home to take advantage of every and powerful motivating influence,” Elder Packer opportunity to teach. Elder Packer’s children still turn to comments. him for counsel.

Sister Packer recalls a story her husband has used “He is our patriarch,” Allan comments. “He’s still in teaching. It was an experience they had when they a father, and that’s his number one priority.” attended a fair in New England while he was serving as mission president there several years ago. They watched Laurel Packer Dillman says her father has always as a smaller pair of oxen, complementing each other and seemed very sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit. working perfectly in tandem, bested much larger, less When she was a student at BYU, “I remember that he well-matched teams in a pulling competition. would always call me on the days when I was having the roughest times.” A word of counsel or encouragement Elder Tuttle commented that his friend Boyd would help her through it. Packer “understands the principles of teaching and their practical application as the Savior taught.” (Teach Ye She remembers particularly the fun of working Diligently, p. ix.) But the great, simple sermons Elder together as a family. Helping each other has become a Packer delivers in conference do not necessarily come Boyd Packer family tradition, whether it has meant easily. On one side of the Packer family room—the side pitching in to help a teen-aged Laurel make party favors that faces his son Allan’s home, across a small creek—is a for a Church activity or gathering at one of the children’s computer where Elder Packer frequently writes. “Very home to help add a room. Elder Packer’s enjoyment of seldom do I wake up that I don’t look over and see their work seems to be augmented by sharing it with one or lights on,” Allan says. His father has “learned to take more of his children or, frequently now, his grandchildren. advantage of the early morning hours, when the mind is clear.” “Most of the serious talks that we have had have been when we were working,” Kenneth Packer says, Elder Packer’s addresses cover a broad range of recalling his father’s counsel. subjects. Allan comments that his father does his “homework” well, consulting with experts and blending “I really believe that a lot of Dad’s success comes his spiritual insights with the knowledge gained. “He’ll from the love of a woman that supports and sustains him, spend tens, dozens, of hours on his talks.” and frees him to fulfill his ecclesiastical duties,” Kenneth reflects. He adds that he and his brothers and sisters are But there are contributions Church members in also able to offer support to their father’s ministry. “I try general never see. to live my life, and direct my family’s life, and raise my children so that Dad doesn’t have to worry about whether “Elder Packer is very much a teacher,” says Elder I’m living the gospel.” James E. Faust of the Council of the Twelve. “While all of the Twelve are teachers, he’s a teacher in the Twelve.” As A few years ago, Elder Packer spoke publicly in a senior member of the Quorum, he offers instruction and general conference to his children and grandchildren about approaches decisions with deep insight into their possible the legacy he would like to leave them, expressing the effects on the Church and its people, Elder Faust explains. hope that his talk “may help someone else” as well. He took pains to point out that though their lineage runs “to He adds that Elder Packer’s love of and use of the the stately manor houses of England,” it also “runs to the scriptures in his leadership role has influenced the poorhouse in Pullham, Norfolk”—and that neither of those direction of the entire Church. origins is a determinant of success or happiness in life. Often, says Elder Russell M. Nelson of the “We want our children and their children to know Council of the Twelve, when the Quorum is weighing a that the choice in life is not between fame and obscurity, problem, Elder Packer will search his mind for relevant nor is the choice between wealth and poverty. The choice teachings from the Book of Mormon and apply them to is between good and evil. … the discussion.

“When we finally understand this lesson, The Book of Mormon has had a profound effect thereafter our happiness will not be determined by on Boyd Packer’s life. “Without the Book of Mormon, material things. We may be happy without them or Elder Packer couldn’t be the prophet he is,” Elder Nelson successful in spite of them. … comments. “He is a gifted seer.”

“I may see you go the full distance of mortality His teaching from the scriptures is characterized without becoming either well-known or wealthy. I can see by “deep comprehension,” Elder Nelson adds. “No one myself falling to my knees to thank a generous God that has plumbed the depths of this man.” my prayers have been answered, that you have succeeded, that you are truly happy. As a group, members of the Twelve are capable of bringing great individual strengths and abilities to bear on “We now move into an uncertain future. But we their collective responsibilities—and then bending their are not uncertain. Children, bear testimony, build Zion. wills to divine direction, in unanimity. It is a unique Then you will find true success, complete happiness.” experience, Elder Packer says. (Ensign, Nov. 1980, pp. 21–22.) “We share something that no other men on earth come to know, as many of us come to know, and as I bear share. We’re all individual, and we’re all resolute, but witness, that the Lord lives. I know His voice when He we’re all one.” speaks.”

Nevertheless, as individuals, each puts into the Master’s service the sum of what life and the Spirit have taught. Through the years, Elder Packer has drawn on his own experiences again and again, turning them into parables and memorable teaching moments.

The Book of Mormon has had a profound effect on Elder Packer’s life.

Some themes seem to be heard frequently in his teaching—the importance of listening to the voice of the Spirit, the plan of life and salvation, missionary work, supporting the Lord’s chosen leaders, obedience as the key to happiness. But there is one theme that is constant: the sure witness it is his calling, his privilege to give.

In a 1977 general conference talk titled “The Mediator” (Ensign, May 1977, p. 56), he reviewed the pivotal role of Christ in the redemption of mankind, then added:

“I have carried with me a great desire to bear testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I have yearned to tell you, in as simple terms as I can, what He did, and who He is.

“Although I know how poor mere words can be, I also know that such feelings are often carried by the Spirit, even without words.

“At times I struggle under the burden of imperfections. Nevertheless, because I know that He lives, there is a supreme recurring happiness and joy.”

And after his talk to young people about being guided as a pilot by that radio beam, he added: “You can