Called to Serve

Quorum of the Twelve
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. (Photo by Busath.)

During the Saturday afternoon session of October 1986 general conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin was sustained an Apostle, filling a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Wirthlin had been serving in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

Joseph B. Wirthlin was born June 11, 1917, in Salt Lake City to Joseph L. and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. His father served for many years as the Presiding Bishop of the Church.

As the oldest of five children, Elder Wirthlin recalls a significant event from his childhood. “I suppose my first personal feeling of the truthfulness of the gospel came when I was about seven. I was in a fast and testimony meeting in which a humble brother bore his testimony. He spoke with such fervency that it electrified me to the point that I partook of his great spirit as to the truthfulness of the gospel.”

Elder Wirthlin earned his Eagle Scout badge when he was 13, and he was active in high school sports. He graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in business management and was a star halfback on the football team. He served a mission to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and has served as a bishop, in a stake presidency, and as a counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency. Until his call as a General Authority in April 1975, he was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of several trade associations in Utah.

He is married to Eliza Young Rogers, and they are the parents of seven daughters and one son.

In his position as a General Authority, Elder Wirthlin and his wife have served in Europe, in the southeast area of the United States, and in Brazil.

In bearing his testimony when he was called as a General Authority, Elder Wirthlin said, “My life really is anchored to the testimony that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ. I honor the priesthood that I bear, and I have seen its great power in healing the sick. I know that the Lord’s Spirit does whisper to his servants, and it is up to us to listen to these whisperings.”

Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy
Elder Hugh W. Pinnock

Elder Hugh W. Pinnock

Elder Hugh W. Pinnock was sustained as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He has served as a member of the quorum since October 1, 1977. Elder Pinnock has served as a bishop, Regional Representative, mission president, and general president of the Sunday School. He will now serve as the executive director of the Curriculum Department.

Born on January 15, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, he attended Granite High School and the University of Utah. He was student body president of both his high school and the university. He served a mission and was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army. His professional career was spent in life insurance.

He and his wife, Anne Hawkins Pinnock, have six children and three granddaughters.