“Elder Richard J. Maynes,” Liahona, May 2012, 135
Elder Richard J. Maynes
Of the Presidency of the Seventy
“Every person throughout the world is a child of God, and He loves all His children equally,” said Elder Richard John Maynes, newly called to the Presidency of the Seventy. That, he said, is the first gospel principle that comes to his mind as he reflects on his extensive international service, including assignments in Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and the Philippines.
“The eternal blessings that come from accepting and then living the principles Jesus Christ taught will ultimately exalt all of Heavenly Father’s children, no matter where they live or what challenges they face in this probationary state,” he added.
Elder Maynes, born in October 1950 in Berkeley, California, USA, to Stan and Betty Maynes, began his international service in 1969 when he served a full-time mission to Paraguay and Uruguay through 1971.
He married Nancy Purrington, whom he met while working at a resort in Idaho, in August 1974 in the Manti Utah Temple. They have four children.
Elder Maynes graduated that same year from Brigham Young University in business management and later earned an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He spent his career as owner and CEO of a company specializing in factory automation.
Elder Maynes served as the president of the Mexico Monterrey Mission from 1989 to 1992. He was called as a General Authority in 1997. Since then he has served in the presidencies of the South America Northwest, South America West, and Philippines Areas. He has also served on the Church’s Priesthood Executive Council, as an Assistant Executive Director in the Missionary Department, and as Executive Director of the Family History Department.
He was called on January 20, 2012, to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, succeeding Elder Steven E. Snow, who was called as Church Historian and Recorder.