Called to Serve:
New General Authorities

Quorum of the Twelve

During the Saturday afternoon session of October 1988 general conference, Elder Richard G. Scott was sustained an Apostle, filling a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Scott had been serving in the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy at the time of his call. He has served as a General Authority of the Church since April 2, 1977.

Elder Richard G. Scott

Elder Scott was born November 7, 1928 in Pocatello, Idaho, to Kenneth Leroy and Mary Eliza Whittle Scott, as one of five sons. However, Elder Scott has lived most of his life in the Washington, D.C., area.

Elder Scott remembers an incident in his youth that reinforced the importance of staying true to his beliefs. As a teenager, he worked on an oyster boat, earning money for college. The crew was rough and suspicious of this young man who refused to join them in living it up on shore. One night, he was roughly awakened by a drunken crew member who said a man had fallen overboard. “Scotty,” as he was called then, was the only one in condition to save the man. Quick action averted a tragedy.

Elder Scott said of the lesson he learned that night, “Publicly the crew members ridiculed me, but privately they respected me for my standards.”

Elder Scott graduated in mechanical engineering from George Washington University in 1950. He later completed the equivalent of a doctorate in nuclear engineering at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As a private consultant in mechanical and nuclear engineering, Elder Scott worked with utility and power companies as well as in the development of nuclear submarines.

As a young man, Elder Scott served a 31-month mission to Uruguay. His sweetheart, Jeanene Watkins, served a mission to the Northwestern States during that time. They were married upon his return. They are the parents of seven children, five of whom are living.

Prior to his call, Elder Scott served as a Regional Representative, as a mission president, and as a counselor in the Washington Stake presidency. As a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Scott was executive director of the Family History Department of the Church.

Elder Scott has often spoken of his great love for the Book of Mormon. He said, “As I read, ponder, and apply the principles contained in the Book of Mormon, not only am I strengthened with an appreciation for the powerful servants of the Lord that it depicts, but a conduit of communication is opened to me personally that crystallizes truth in my own heart and mind.”

Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy

Elder J. Richard Clarke, 61, was sustained as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Clarke served as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church from October 1, 1976, until he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 6, 1985.

Elder J. Richard Clarke

Prior to his call to the Presiding Bishopric, Elder Clarke worked as a general manager of a major life insurance agency in Boise, Idaho. He served as a bishop, stake president, Regional Representative, mission president, and as a managing director in the Missionary Department.

A native of Rexburg, Idaho, Elder Clarke attended Ricks College and graduated from Brigham Young University. He did graduate work at Stanford University.

Elder Clarke and his wife, Barbara Jean Weed, are the parents of eight children.

First Quorum of the Seventy

The First Presidency announced the calling of four new members of the First Quorum of the Seventy, bringing to 66 the number of members of members of that quorum.

Monte J. Brough, 49, of Kaysville, Utah, was a businessman and computer expert. He was serving as a Regional Representative at the time of his call. He has also served as a bishop, mission president, and member of the Young Men General Board. He and his wife, Lanette Barker, are the parents of seven children.

Albert Choules, Jr., 62, of Phoenix, Arizona, had been a financial analyst and president of a hotel corporation. At the time of his call, he was a Regional Representative. He has also served as a stake president and mission president. He and his wife, Rosemary Phillips, had three children. His wife passed away in 1984, and he married Marilyn Jeppson in 1987.

Lloyd P. George, 68, of Orem, Utah, has worked in the ranching and mercantile businesses as well as real estate. He has served as a Regional Representative, stake president, and mission president. He and his wife, Leola Stott George, are the parents of three children.

Gerald E. Melchin, 67, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, had retired from the auto-transport business. He was serving as a Regional Representative at the time of his call. He has also served as a bishop, stake president, and mission president. He is married to Evelyn Knowles, and they are the parents of seven children.