Elder Richard B. Wirthlin

Of the Seventy

Measuring public attitudes and opinions for nearly three decades has reinforced Elder Richard B. Wirthlin’s conviction that solutions to the world’s problems are found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Consulting and strategic opinion research reveal the amount of confusion, despair, and discouragement many people feel,” says Elder Wirthlin, chairman and chief executive officer of Wirthlin Worldwide. “The only thing that will bring true peace is an acceptance of the principles and practices of the gospel.”

Elder Wirthlin, brother to Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has served in two stake presidencies, as a high councilor and bishop, and most recently as a regional representative.

He was born 15 March 1931 in Salt Lake City and served a mission to Switzerland and Austria from 1951 to 1953. Afterward, he served in the U.S. armed forces, then earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in economics and statistics from the University of Utah. He later earned a doctorate in economics from the University of California at Berkeley.

On 23 November 1956, Elder Wirthlin married Jeralie Mae Chandler in the Salt Lake Temple. He says Sister Wirthlin’s devotion to him and their eight children has greatly blessed his family.

In 1969 Richard Wirthlin founded his own survey research firm in Los Angeles. Later, he and his family moved to Washington, D.C. A desire to be closer to more family members and a fondness for the outdoors brought Richard Wirthlin and his family back to Utah in 1995 after 14 years in the nation’s capital.

Elder Wirthlin looks forward to increased opportunities of sharing the gospel. “It is a message of real joy and peace that is so needed today.”