| Richard L. Evans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| October 8, 1953 (1953-10-08) – November 1, 1971 (1971-11-01) | |
| LDS ChurchApostle | |
| October 8, 1953 (1953-10-08) – November 1, 1971 (1971-11-01) | |
| Reason | Death ofAlbert E. Bowen |
| Reorganization at end of term | Marvin J. Ashton ordained |
| First Council of the Seventy | |
| October 7, 1938 (1938-10-07) – October 8, 1953 (1953-10-08) | |
| End reason | Called to theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard Louis Evans (1906-03-23)March 23, 1906 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Died | November 1, 1971(1971-11-01) (aged 65) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′37.92″N111°51′28.8″W / 40.7772000°N 111.858000°W /40.7772000; -111.858000 |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Ruth Thornley |
| Children | 4 sons |
Richard Louis Evans (March 23, 1906 – November 1, 1971) was a member of theQuorum of the Twelve Apostles ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) (1953–71); the president ofRotary International (1966–67); and the writer, producer, and announcer ofMusic and the Spoken Word (1929–71).[1]
Evans was born inSalt Lake City, Utah.[2] In the late 1920s, he served as amissionary for the LDS Church in the United Kingdom. While on his mission, Evans served as associate editor of theMillennial Star,[2] a periodical published by the mission. He receivedbachelor's andmaster's degrees from theUniversity of Utah. There, he joinedPi Kappa Alpha.[3]
His master's degree was in economics. Over the years he served on the boards of directors of several companies.
In the late 1920s, he took a job withKSL radio as an announcer and script writer. He was also employed as the managing editor of theImprovement Era starting in 1936. He worked with the era for 30 years and eventually became its senior editor. He was also closely involved with the changes that led to the replacement of theImprovement Era with theEnsign,New Era andFriend in 1971.
In 1937, Evans' bookA Century of "Mormonism" in Great Britain was published with a copyright byHeber J. Grant, as trustee-in-trust for LDS Church. Evans also served for a time as the president of theTemple Square Mission.
Evans may have been best known as the announcer for the weeklyMormon Tabernacle Choir radio broadcast,Music and the Spoken Word: every week, he wrote, produced, and announced the radio broadcasts, including a short inspirational message. His involvement in these weekly broadcasts spanned from its inception in 1929 until his death in 1971.
Evans' voice was familiar toLatter-day Saints as the narrator of various church productions, most notablyMan's Search for Happiness. He also introduced the Salt Lake City choir's contribution toBing Crosby's annual "Christmas Sing with Bing" radio broadcasts during the 1950s, and is heard on the 1956 Decca LP of the same name, which featured the previous year's "Christmas Sing" edition.
Evans served as president of the University of Utah alumni association for three terms and as a member of its board for 12 years.[4] He also served for a time as a member of the Utah State Board of Higher Education.
Evans first became a churchgeneral authority in 1938 when he wascalled as a member of theFirst Council of the Seventy. Evans was ordained anapostle on October 8, 1953, following the death ofAlbert E. Bowen.
Evans was the last LDS Church apostle to have facial hair while in office,[citation needed] wearing a neatly trimmed mustache until the mid-1960s.
Evans died at age 65 on November 1, 1971. The vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from his death was filled byMarvin J. Ashton. Evans was buried atSalt Lake City Cemetery.
Known for his ability to reach across religious differences, the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding atBrigham Young University was created in his honor on November 1, 1972[5]
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Announcer,Music and the Spoken Word June, 1930 – October, 1971 | Succeeded by |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titles | ||
| Preceded by | Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 8, 1953 – November 1, 1971 | Succeeded by |
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
| Preceded by | President of Rotary International 1966–1967 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
