The First Presidency has called W. Boyd and Jean Christensen of Salt Lake City to serve as directors of Church Hosting.

The Christensens succeeded Clark N. and Betty Burton Stohl, who held the unpaid Church service assignment for the past 12 years.The First Presidency has high praise for the many years of service the Stohls gave to the calling. In a letter of release, President Ezra Taft Benson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson, said:

"Since your call in March 1976, you have represented the Church on many important occasions with people from all over the world, including the President of the United States and numerous foreign dignitaries. The finesse and tact with which you have handled these matters have brought much favorable attention to the Church. You have served the Lord and His Church well."

As the new directors, the Christensens serve in the Public Communications/Special Affairs Department of the Church. They oversee several other volunteer couples in providing hosting services to leaders of governments, education, business, industry, religious denominations, and other organizations and private individuals who visit Church headquarters from throughout the world.

Their responsibilities, the First Presidency said, also include special hosting at general conferences of the Church, the Sunday broadcasts of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and making the numerous visitors to the Church Office building feel welcome with information and guided tours.

Christensen recently retired as general manger of the Intermountain Power Agency. He is a former president of Allstate Insurance companies, and has also been an assistant U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Other positions he has held include general manager of the Utah Municipal Power System, and Utah State University vice president for business.

He is a native of Logan, Utah, a graduate of Utah State University and holds a master of business administration degree from Stanford University. He was a U.S. Army officer during World War II, has been active in community affairs and has served the Church as a mission president, bishop, Sunday School teacher, high councilor and elders quorum president.

Sister Christensen is a native of North Ogden, Utah. She has held numerous administrative and teaching positions in the Church, including Relief Society president, counselor and teacher; Young Women president; and counselor and teacher in the Primary.

The Christensens are parents of four children.