President Packer to note 85th birthday

President Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrates his 85th birthday Thursday.

He was born Sept. 10, 1924, in Brigham City to Ira Wight and Emma Jensen Packer.

President Packer was sustained as president of the Twelve on April 5, 2008. He had been set apart as acting president of the Twelve on June 5, 1994, and again on March 12, 1995. He was sustained as an assistant to the Twelve on Sept. 30, 1961; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve on April 6, 1970; and ordained an apostle on April 9, 1970, at age 45.

He was a supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion prior to being called as a general authority. He also served as president of the New England States Mission.