Church News - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

New temple presidents

Published: Friday, April 29, 2011

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Walter R. and Eileen M. Petersen

Walter Ray Petersen, 77, Burley 3rd Ward, Burley Idaho Stake, called as president of the new San Salvador El Salvador Temple. President Petersen's wife, Eileen Marie Albertson Petersen, will serve as temple matron. Currently serving as a sealer in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple, he previously served as president of the Mexico Mérida Mission, stake president, patriarch, bishop, temple ordinance worker and Central America Area medical advisor senior missionary couple. A retired family physician and surgeon, he was born in Wendell, Idaho, to Raymond Orlinzo and Jane Maria Prescott Petersen.

Sister Petersen currently serves as an institute teacher and temple ordinance worker. She previously served with her husband as he presided over the Mexico Mérida Mission and as a senior couple missionary. She has also served as a ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, and gospel doctrine teacher. She was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Arnold George and Verna Beth Huffaker Albertson.

Joel C. and Marni E. Smith

Joel Charles Smith, 65, Bismarck 2nd Ward, Bismarck North Dakota Stake, called as president of the Bismarck North Dakota Temple, succeeding President John R. Reese. President Smith's wife, Marni Elizabeth Elsby Smith, will serve as temple matron. Currently serving as second counselor in the Bismarck North Dakota Temple, he previously served as a stake president, bishop, high councilor and bishop's counselor. Retired environmental manager of a sugar company, he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Rulon Nichols and Edith Law Smith.

Sister Smith currently serves as an assistant to the matron of the Bismarck North Dakota Temple. She previously served as a stake Primary president's counselor, ward Relief Society president, counselor in a ward Primary presidency and an institute and seminary teacher. She was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, to Walter Joseph and Marjorie Isabel Rutledge Elsby.

Terry A. and Donald P. Tenney

Donald Palmer Tenney, 70, Lindon 1st Ward, Lindon Utah Central Stake, called as president of the Madrid Spain Temple, succeeding President Garry K. Moore. President Tenney's wife, Terry Ann Milne Tenney, will serve as temple matron. Currently serving as an institute teacher and a temple sealer, he has previously served as an Area Seventy, president of the Spain Barcelona Mission, stake president, stake president's counselor, bishop, high councilor and stake mission president. Former managing partner of a CPA firm, he was born in San Diego, Calif., to Harold Arthur and Dorothy Palmer Tenney.

Sister Tenney currently serves as a stake Primary chorister and temple ordinance worker. She previously served with her husband while he presided over the Spain Barcelona Mission, and has served as ward Relief Society president, and ward Young Women advisor. She was born in Sacramento, Calif., to David Spencer and Thair Smart Milne Sr.