Matthew O. Richardson
Matthew Ottesen Richardson was called as the second counselor in the Sunday School presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and sustained in General Conference in April 2009. He served until April 2014.
Richardson was born December 12, 1960, in Salt Lake City to Edward M. and Andrea Ottesen Richardson. He is a professor of religion (Church History) at Brigham Young University (BYU), and from 2002 to 2006 he was an Associate Dean of Religious Education. On May 14, 2014, he was appointed BYU's Advancement Vice President. Part of his responsibilities was to oversee BYU Athletics. In 2020 he was called to preside over the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission and began that full-time service in July 2020.
As a young man, Richardson was a Latter-day Saint missionary in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission. He has also served as a Sunday School teacher, Young Men president, bishop and member of a Young Men/Young Women curriculum writing committee.
Richardson received all his degrees from BYU: a B.A. in communications, an M.Ed. in Education Leadership and Curriculum, and an Ed.D. in Education Leadership. [1] He taught for the Church Educational System from 1986 to 1993, then was a religion lecturer at BYU from 1993 to 1996. He joined the religion faculty in 1996. He since received the Robert J. Matthews Teaching award, the Professor of Integrity award, and a four-year Religious Education fellowship.
Richardson has written several books including The Christus Legacy, The Relationship Seasons, and Personal Promises from the Lord to You.
Richardson and his wife Lisa Jackson Richardson are the parents of four children. They were married in 1983 in the Salt Lake Temple.
