LaRene Gaunt: Mormon Author and Photographer

LaRene Porter Gaunt was a photographer, writer, and editor, working predominantly within the world of Latter-day Saint writing. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Gaunt was born in San Diego, California, to Worth and Florence Porter. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. She worked for several years as an interior decorator in Palo Alto, California. She also taught high school art for several years.

After receiving a priesthood blessing from her father, where he counseled her to use her yet-untapped skills to write, she began to write and publish. She proofread for the ‘’Ensign’’ magazine staff during General Conference and eventually was hired as a full time editor. Since 1990, she worked as an editor at the Ensign magazine, produced by the Church of Jesus Christ, eventually becoming assistant managing editor. She worked with the "Ensign" until her unexpected death in September 2018.

Gaunt was an accredited genealogist, a photographer, and an artist. She co-authored six books as of 2008. Elect Ladies: Presidents of the Relief Society (with Janet Peterson), Keepers of the Flame: Presidents of the Young Women (with Janet Peterson), Faith, Hope and Charity: Inspiration from the Lives of General Relief Society Presidents (with Janet Peterson), The Children’s Friends: Primary Presidents and Their Lives of Service (with Janet Peterson), Family History for the Clueless (with George Durrant). Her book Recipes to Lower Your Fat Thermostat has sold more than half a million copies. She also wrote Recipes for Kids to Lower Their Fat Thermostat (with Edward A. Parent and Richard Brown). She has published a board game and three card games.

She and her husband, David—who is also a photographer—made their home in Sandy, Utah. They are the parents of three children, including daughter Lisa Mangum who is an editor and published author. The Gaunts own a wedding photography business, Flash Point Productions.