Published: Saturday, Dec. 19, 1998
The First Presidency has called new presidents for five of the
missionary training centers around the world. The new leaders and their
wives will be trained at the Provo Missionary Training Center Jan. 11-15,
and will begin their two-year terms of service following their training.
The new presidents and their wives and assignments are: James R. and
Shirley Cloward Palmer, Brazil; Norman N. and Kay Irene Moser White,
England; Richard L. and Denna Jena Phelps Millett, Mexico; L. Stephen and
Annette Parkinson Nibley Richards, Philippines; David K. and Sharon Louise
Peterson Richards, Spain.
James R. Palmer, 64, has
served as president of the Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission, bishop,
branch president, high priests group leader, high councilor, servicemen's
coordinator, and gospel doctrine teacher. He has worked as director of
medical services and administrative services at the Provo Missionary
Training Center, associate chairman of university standards at BYU, and
U.S. Air Force chaplain. He was born in Tremonton, Utah, to Rudger and
Letitia Wight Palmer and raised in Park Valley, Utah. He married Shirley
Cloward, and they are the parents of nine children. They are members of the
Alpine 6th Ward, Alpine Utah Stake.
Sister Palmer has served as Relief Society president and counselor,
Young Women's president, Primary president and teacher, and served with her
husband in Brazil. She was born in Vernal, Utah, to Loran and Florence Gurr
Cloward and raised in Neola, Utah.
Norman N. White, 68, has
served as president of the California Sacramento Mission, missionary
training center branch president, stake president, high councilor, gospel
doctrine teacher and Scoutmaster. He has worked as associate administration
director, director of training, in-field services representative and
business manager at the Provo Missionary Training Center, and a U.S. Air
Force officer. He was born in Beaver, Utah, to Burton Morgan and Della Mary
Nelson White. He married Kay Irene Moser and they are the parents of seven
children. They are members of the Edgemont 5th Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont
Stake.
Sister White has served as stake Relief Society president, Lambda Delta
Sigma adviser, ward Young Women's president, Primary president, and served
with her husband in California. She was born in Turner Valley, Alberta, to
John Franklin and Alpha Lula Moore Moser.
Richard L. Millett, 64,
has served as president of the Florida Ft. Lauderdale and Puerto Rico San
Juan missions, bishop, stake Young Men president and high councilor. He has
worked as an in-field service representative for the Missionary Department,
director of business services and missionary activities for the missionary
training centers and owner of Millett's Markets. He was born in Mesa,
Ariz., to William Howard and Lillian Mable Freestone Millett. He married
Denna Jean Phelps, and they are the parents of seven children. They are
members of the Edgemont 4th Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont Stake.
Sister Millett has served as Young Women president, stake Primary
president, Sunday School teacher, Relief Society teacher, Primary teacher
and with her husband in Florida and Puerto Rico. She was born in Mesa,
Ariz., to Wayne Ellsworth and Mary Zoe Hill Phelps.
L. Stephen Richards, 72,
has served as president of the Philippines Manila Mission, stake
president's counselor, branch president, elders quorum president, and ward
Young Men president. He has worked as a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon and
assistant professor. He was born in San Francisco, Calif., to Lynn S. and
Lucille Janette Covey Richards. He married Annette Parkinson Nibley, and
they are the parents of seven children. They are members of the Monument
Park 15th Ward, Salt Lake Monument Park Stake.
Sister Richards has served as a medical care specialist missionary,
Primary president's counselor, Relief Society teacher, family history
specialist, Young Women leader, and with her husband in the Philippines.
She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Preston and Ann Doney Parkinson
Nibley.
David K. Richards, 67, has
served as president of the Colombia Bogota Mission, high councilor, Aaronic
Priesthood adviser, counselor in a branch presidency, and missionary in the
Mexico and Central America missions. He has worked as an attorney, teacher
and businessman. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Franklin Dewey and
Helen Kearnes Richards. He married Sharon Louise Peterson, and they are the
parents of three children. They are members of the East Millcreek 15th
Ward, Salt Lake East Millcreek Stake.
Sister Richards has served as Young Women and Primary president, and
served with her husband in Colombia. She was born in Boise, Idaho, to
Willis S. and Blanche Elizabeth Austin Peterson.