Henry B. Eyring

Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Henry B. Eyring was set apart as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency on January 14, 2018, after the First Presidency was dissolved upon the death of Thomas S. Monson and the calling of Russell M. Nelson as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was sustained in a Solemn Assembly on March 31, 2018. Eyring served as First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church from February 3, 2008, until January 2, 2018, with Thomas S. Monson as the prophet and president of the Church. Eyring served as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency with Gordon B. Hinckley as president (October 6, 2007 – January 27, 2008).

Henry Bennion Eyring was born on May 31, 1933, in New Jersey. He grew up in a small branch of the Church that often met in a hotel room or in the Eyring home. Both of his parents were highly educated. His father, Henry Eyring Sr., was a professor of chemistry at Princeton and earned numerous awards in his field. His mother, Mildred, was a graduate of the University of Utah and had pursued a doctoral degree. President Eyring's father was also a brother to Camilla Eyring Kimball, wife of former Church president Spencer W. Kimball, thus making President Eyring a nephew of President Spencer W. Kimball.

Eyring graduated with a degree in Physics from the University of Utah before entering the United States Air Force. The Air Force sent him to New Mexico. When he arrived he was called as a district missionary in the area and served almost exactly two full years. He then completed a master's degree and a PhD in Business Administration at Harvard Graduate School of Business. From there he decided to teach and found a position at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He met Kathleen Johnson in 1961 and they were married in July 1962 in the Logan Utah Temple. She passed away on October 15, 2023. They are the parents of four sons and two daughters.

In the following years, Eyring continued to teach, served as an officer and director of Finnigan Instrument Corporation, founded and directed System Industries Incorporated (a computer manufacturing company), was on the faculty at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, taught early morning seminary, and served twice as a bishop.

He recalls one dramatic change in his family's life when "life seemed perfect." "In the middle of the night, Kathleen Eyring woke up her husband and said, 'Hal, you sure you’re doing the right thing with your life?' She then asked if he shouldn’t be doing studies for Neal A. Maxwell, then the Commissioner of Education for the Church. President Eyring said, 'Studies for Neal Maxwell at my stage of my career?' Then there was a silence and she said, 'Well, you pray about it.' About a week later, the phone rang and Neal Maxwell offered President Eyring the leadership of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho."[1]

In 1971 Henry B. Eyring was inaugurated as president of Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). While president, he also took the time to teach religion classes. He was president at the time of the Teton Dam collapse (June 5, 1976) and detailed some of his experience in his general conference addresses: "Faith and Keys", "Where Is the Pavilion?", "Fear Not to Do Good", "Opportunities to Do Good", "Continuing Revelation", and "All Will Be Well Because of Temple Covenants".

The Eyring family grew to include four boys and two girls. After serving for five years as president at Ricks, Eyring was asked to become deputy commissioner of the Church Educational System. Three years later he became commissioner. He served twice in that capacity, from 1980 to 1986 and from 1992 to 2004.

In 1985 Henry B. Eyring was called to be in the Presiding Bishopric of the Church. He was then called to the Seventy and continued working as Commissioner of the Church Educational System. On April 1, 1995 Henry B. Eyring was ordained as member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles following the death of Church president Howard W. Hunter.

On October 6, 2007, Elder Eyring was sustained as the second counselor in the First Presidency to fill a vacancy that occurred upon the death of President James E. Faust.

In November 2014, Pope Francis hosted a summit of religious leaders from 14 faith traditions and 23 countries gathered at the Vatican to discuss the importance of marriage, titled "The Complementarity of Man and Woman." Just after his address, Pope Francis warmly individually greeted and shook hands with several faith leaders, including President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the first time that a pope and a top Latter-day Saint general authority ever met. (President Nelson met with Pope Francis later in March 2019.[2]) President Eyring addressed the colloquium a few days later.[3]

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Books by Henry B. Eyring

A Sacred Place Like This
To Draw Closer to God
Choose Higher Ground
Reflections of a Scientist
On the Path Home
Because He First Loved Us

Quotes from President Eyring

There has been a war between light and darkness, between good and evil, since before the world was created. The battle still rages, and the casualties seem to be increasing. All of us have family members we love who are being buffeted by the forces of the destroyer, who would make all God’s children miserable. For many of us, there have been sleepless nights. We have tried to add every force for good we can to the powers swirling around the people who are at risk.

“The Power of Teaching Doctrine,” Ensign, May 1999

Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or have decided that I was an exception, I have come to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path which was prepared with loving care.

“Finding Safety in Counsel,” Friend, August 1998

When you act on that answer to your prayer for strength to forgive, you will feel a burden lifted from your shoulders. Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven.

"Home for Christmas," Liahona, December 2009