J. Richard Clarke
Encyclopedia
John Richard Clarke has been a general authority
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1976. He has been a member of the church's presiding bishopric
and a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Clarke was born in Rexburg
, Idaho
. As a young man he served as an LDS Church missionary
in South Africa
. Prior to his call as a general authority, he served as a bishop, stake president, and regional representative of the Twelve Apostles in Idaho. He also returned to South Africa as the president
of the South Africa Cape Town Mission
of the church.
In 1976, Clarke became the second counselor to presiding bishop Victor L. Brown
. He served in this capacity until Brown was released in 1985. At this time, Clarke was retained as a general authority and became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy in 1988, and served in that capacity until 1997, when he was released and given general authority emeritus
status.
From 1998 to 2001, Clarke was the president
of the church's Laie Hawaii Temple
.
General authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1976. He has been a member of the church's presiding bishopric
Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)
The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:...
and a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Clarke was born in Rexburg
Rexburg, Idaho
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile...
, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
. As a young man he served as an LDS Church missionary
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Prior to his call as a general authority, he served as a bishop, stake president, and regional representative of the Twelve Apostles in Idaho. He also returned to South Africa as the president
Mission president
Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission...
of the South Africa Cape Town Mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
of the church.
In 1976, Clarke became the second counselor to presiding bishop Victor L. Brown
Victor L. Brown
Victor Lee Brown was the tenth Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1972 and 1985. He was a general authority of the LDS Church from 1961 until his death....
. He served in this capacity until Brown was released in 1985. At this time, Clarke was retained as a general authority and became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy in 1988, and served in that capacity until 1997, when he was released and given general authority emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
status.
From 1998 to 2001, Clarke was the president
Temple President
Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of an LDS temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity....
of the church's Laie Hawaii Temple
Laie Hawaii Temple
Laie Hawaii Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on the northeast shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The temple sits on a small hill a half-mile from the Pacific Ocean in the town of Lāie, from Honolulu...
.