Jay E. Jensen
Jay Edwin Jensen (born February 5, 1942) has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1992. He served as a member of the church's Presidency of the Seventy from 2008 to 2012.[1] Jensen was designated an emeritus general authority in the October 2012 general conference.
Jay E. Jensen | |
---|---|
Second Quorum of the Seventy | |
June 6, 1992 – April 1, 1995 | |
Called by | Ezra Taft Benson |
End reason | Transferred to First Quorum of the Seventy |
First Quorum of the Seventy | |
April 1, 1995 – October 6, 2012 | |
Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
End reason | Granted general authority emeritus status |
Presidency of the Seventy | |
August 1, 2008 – August 1, 2012 | |
Called by | Thomas S. Monson |
End reason | Honorably released |
Emeritus General Authority | |
October 6, 2012 | |
Called by | Thomas S. Monson |
Personal details | |
Born | Jay Edwin Jensen February 5, 1942 Payson, Utah, United States |
Spouse(s) | Lona Lee Child |
Children | 6 |
Biography
Jensen was born in Payson, Utah, and raised in Mapleton, Utah. From 1961 to 1963, Jensen served as a missionary in the Spanish-American mission, concentrating on teaching the gospel to Spanish-speakers in the southwestern United States. On the November 1, 1963, Jensen married Lona Lee Child in the Manti Temple and they are the parents of six children.
Jensen graduated with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from Brigham Young University.[2] Jensen's bachelor's degree is in Spanish and History, his master's degree is in LDS Church History and Doctrine, and his doctorate degree is in Education.
Jensen spent his professional career as a full-time employee of the LDS Church. He was the director of scripture coordination for the church's Curriculum Department at the time of his call as a general authority. He previously worked for the Church Educational System as a seminary teacher and director of curriculum. Jensen was also the director of training for the church's Missionary Department for a period of time.
Jensen has served in the LDS Church as a bishop, branch president, counselor in the Missionary Training Center presidency, and was president of the church's Colombia Cali Mission from 1975 to 1978.
Jensen was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy in 1992 and transferred to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1995. As a general authority, he has served in a number of area presidencies in Central and South America, as well as geographical areas covering parts of the United States and Canada. In 2004, Jensen and Lynn A. Mickelsen, also of the Seventy, were appointed to supervise the formation and publication of a Spanish-language LDS edition of the Bible.[3] Jensen became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on August 1, 2008.[1] In 2011, Jensen spoke at BYU to Evergreen International, "a same-sex voice of faithful LDS members," and spoke on finding peace by focusing on Jesus Christ.[4]
Jensen was released from the Presidency on August 1, 2012 and designated as an emeritus general authority during general conference in October 2012.[5] From 2013 to 2016 Jensen served a three-year term as president of the church's Cochabamba Bolivia Temple.[6]
References
- "Changes in Church leadership", Church News, 2008-06-07.
- "Jay E. Jensen". Grampa Bill. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
- Scott Taylor, "LDS Spanish Bible praised for adding clarity and depth", Mormon Times September 14, 2009.
- Davidson, Lee. "Same-sex struggles? Find peace in Christ, Mormon leader says", The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 September 2011. Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
- Melissa Merrill, "Elder Craig C. Christensen Called to Presidency of Seventy", May 5, 2012, churchofjesuschrist.org.
- "New Temple Presidents Called to Serve in Ukraine, Alaska, and Bolivia Temples", Church News, 25 May 2016. Retrieved on 20 March 2020.
See also
- "Elder Jay E. Jensen Of the Seventy," Ensign, August 1992, p. 78
- Julie A. Dockstader, "Spiritual foundation set early in life", Church News, August 8, 1992