Elder Shayne M. Bowen

Of the Seventy

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Elder Shayne Martell Bowen says that “being able to take advantage of all the blessings of the gospel” and having been “richly blessed with a great family” have prepared him for his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy. He says, “I’ve learned to be obedient.”

Elder Bowen’s wife, Lynette Mortensen, attests, “He’s always obeyed with exactness as long as I’ve known him.” She and their seven children are grateful they can depend on his integrity. Sister Bowen even credits her husband’s obedience for their marriage on December 28, 1976, in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. Elder Bowen’s father advised his son to ask Lynette on a date.

Born to Lyle and Jacqueline Bowen in Rigby, Idaho, USA, on August 29, 1954, Elder Bowen worked alongside his father in his music store delivering pianos and on Church farms harvesting potatoes. After completing a bachelor’s degree in English at Brigham Young University, he operated an insurance agency with his father and later his son.

Elder and Sister Bowen enjoy traveling with their family and spending time with their five grandchildren. Elder Bowen also likes coaching his sons in football and soccer.

Though the Bowens have faced serious challenges, including the death of a nine-month-old son, “it has been a wonderful life,” Elder Bowen says. “Heavenly Father has been so good to us.” Submitting to the Lord’s will has allowed him to “feel closer to Him and understand that we can put full faith in Him.”

Placing such faith in the Lord has helped Elder Bowen in many callings, most recently as an Area Seventy in the Idaho Area. He has also served as stake president, high councilor, bishop, high priests group instructor, elders quorum president, Scout leader, mission president in the Spain Barcelona Mission, and full-time missionary in Santiago, Chile.