LDS leader Packer dies after 45 years as apostle
Boyd K. Packer, president of the LDS church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, died Friday afternoon.
Packer was 90 years old and died from “causes incident to age” at his home around 2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said.
“He was truly an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he represented the savior of the world,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard, also of the quorum.
Packer was ordained an apostle in 1970 and been the president of the Twelve since 2008. He served in general church leadership for 50 years andwas known for being a staunch advocate for a conservative form of Mormonism.
He was next in line to become president of the church.
He is the second member of quorum to die in recent months. L. Tom Perry died on May 30 from cancer.
Packer was born in Brigham City, Utah. He was a U.S. bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he became an educator for the church.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, and their 10 children.
The church said it would announce details about funeral arrangements as they become available.
