Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr.

Of the Seventy

Elder LeGrand Raine Curtis Jr. knows that “the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:34).

“He loves serving in the Church, and he does it with hard work and a willing attitude,” says his wife, Jane Cowan Curtis, whom he married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 4, 1974. “Service is his greatest wish and desire.”

Elder Curtis was born in August 1952, in Ogden, Utah, USA, to LeGrand R. and Patricia Glade Curtis. His father later became a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy (1990–95).

Before his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Curtis Jr. served in the Italy North Mission and as bishop, high councilor, stake president, president of the Italy Padova Mission, and Area Seventy. He was serving as a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Salt Lake City Area at the time of his call to the First Quorum.

Elder Curtis graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in economics and earned his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan. At the time of his call, he was working as an attorney and partner at a law firm. In addition to attending school and working, Elder Curtis and his wife have raised five children.

After serving as an Area Seventy from 2004 to 2011, Elder Curtis says he has appreciated the opportunity to work with the General Authorities. “I have been blessed to work with some exceptional leaders in the Church,” he says. “Watching them and learning from them has been a great privilege.”

Sister Curtis says Elder Curtis always has had willing hands and a willing heart. “His attitude was always, ‘I will do,’” she says.

Doctrine and Covenants 64:34 ends with these words: “The willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” Brother and Sister Curtis say they and their children and grandchildren have been exceptionally blessed for serving the Lord.