The discipline of a master teacher: How Boyd K. Packer built character
In short: For Boyd K. Packer, a large family wasn't just a household—it was a classroom for character. He believed that the grit required to feed animals and raise crops was the essential foundation for a meaningful life, a philosophy he lived by from a modest farm in Utah.
Born in 1924 as the tenth of eleven children, Boyd K. Packer grew up in a household where financial means were scarce but spiritual heritage was rich. Despite the modest circumstances, he viewed his upbringing as a period of abundance. His parents, Ira W. and Emma Jensen Packer, instilled a work ethic that defined his life's work. He taught his ten children that the 'background' of farm life—picking fruit, canning, and tending to livestock—was necessary to develop the internal strength required for adulthood. Packer’s life was marked by physical and personal challenges that reinforced his commitment to duty. During his childhood, he suffered from polio that doctors mistakenly identified as pneumonia, causing permanent joint issues in his hips and knees. Rather than seeking excuses, he adopted a rigorous sense of responsibility.
This same drive carried him through World War II as a bomber pilot in the Pacific theater, where he served in Okinawa until 1946, and later into a distinguished career as an educator and religious leader. Known for his mastery of instruction, Packer functioned as a general authority for the LDS Church and assumed the role of acting president for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1994. Even in high-ranking leadership, he maintained his roots, establishing a 'summer office' under trees on his small farm to engage in quiet study. His approach to life was rooted in the belief that true power is often untapped because people prefer to do things 'in our way' rather than following a higher, more effective path. He championed the idea that character is forged through diligent work and the intentional pursuit of service.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Boyd Kenneth Packer | Religious Studies Center
- Also: Boyd K. Packer | BYU Speeches
- Also: Boyd K. Packer
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