Set apart as acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve on June 5, 1994, and again March 12, 1995. Sustained an Assistant to the Twelve Sept. 30, 1961; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 6, 1970, and ordained an apostle April 9, 1970, at age 45. Former supervisor of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion; former president of the New England States Mission. Received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Utah State University, and Ph. D. in educational administration from BYU. Pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Born Sept. 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah, a son of Ira Wright and Emma Jensen Packer. Wife, Donna Smith Packer, parents of 10 children.

"The Quorum of Twelve", Church Almanac, 1999-2000, pg 19.