Received bachelor's and master's degrees from Utah State University, and Ed.D. in educational administration from BYU. Pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
Former supervisor of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion; former president of the New England States Mission.
Set apart as President of the Quorum of the Twelve on Feb. 3, 2008. Previously set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve on June 5, 1994, and again March 12, 1995. Sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve Sept. 30, 1961; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 6, 1970, and ordained an apostle April 9, 1970, at age 45.
Books that he wrote include:
Holy Temple
Mine Errand From the Lord
Memorable Stories and Parables by Boyd K. Packer
Books about him include:
Boyd K. Packer: A Watchman on the Tower
One of his most famous talks was called the Balm of Gilead. I couldn't find it anywhere, so I called his office and the secretary knew the exact conference date right away, without being transferred to anybody else.
An excerpt from this talk is included here:
One of our sacred hymns carries this message:
Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray? …
When your soul was full of sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?
O how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day;
So when life gets dark and dreary,
Don’t forget to pray. (Hymns, no. 31.)
Another memorable talk and video is the about Worthy Music, Worthy Thoughts. Recently I heard this talk and was having a hard time with laziness and distractions, so I put up the printed hymn of "I Have Work Enough To Do", by my desk, so whenever I sit at the computer to play games or read articles, I notice this hymn and it reminds me to do the work I am supposed to do.
He is uncomfortable in the spotlight. When President Hinckley was set apart as president, he held a news conference with all 15 apostles and Pres. Packer didn't appear to be too happy about it.
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