New members of the First Quorum of the Seventy and the General Relief Society Presidency were sustained Saturday, as was a new second counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. Biographical information follows:
Gary J. Coleman, 55, first counselor, Mexico South Area Presidency, called to Second Quorum of the Seventy, June 1992; native of Wenatchee, Wash.; bachelor's degree, Washington State University; master's and doctor of education degrees, Brigham Young University; 28 years with Church Educational System; former associate director, institute of religion, Ogden; served as bishop, stake president's counselor, high councilor, mission president's counselor and mission president; wife, Judith England Coleman, six children.
John M. Madsen, 57, president, Mexico North Area, called to Second Quorum of the Seventy, June 1992; bachelor's degree, Washington State University; master's and doctor of education degrees, Brigham Young University; former seminary teacher and coordinator, institute of religion instructor, Church Educational System; former director, Melchizedek Priesthood MIA; former associate professor, Brigham Young University; served as England Southwest mission president; regional representative, Young Men General Board member, Melchizedek Priesthood MIA General Board, missionary; wife, Diane Dursteler Madsen, five children.
Wm. Rolfe Kerr, 61, first counselor, North America Northwest Area Presidency; called to Second Quorum of Seventy, April 1996; former Utah commissioner of higher education; executive vice president, Brigham Young University; president, Dixie College; assistant to the president, Utah State University; and associate dean of students, University of Utah; native of Tremonton; bachelor's and master's degrees, Utah State University; doctorate, University of Utah; served as missionary, bishop's counselor, stake president, high councilor, Sunday School General Board member, mission president; wife, Janeil Raybould Kerr, six children.
Carl Burton Pratt, 55, attorney, Kirton & McConkie; legal counsel, South America North Area; bachelor's degree, University of Arizona; law degree, Arizona State University; served church as second counselor, South America North Area Presidency; area authority; regional representative; mission president; bishop's counselor; and missionary; wife, Karen Ann Yeoman Pratt, eight children.
Virginia U. Jensen, Relief Society first counselor. Has been serving as church building hosting director; attended University of Utah; former secretary to the University of Utah Alumni Association and University of Utah Union; active in parent-teachers associations; served as an officer, teacher and board member of the Relief Society and Young Women organization; Primary teacher, activities committee member; husband, J. Rees Jensen, four children.
Mary Ellen W. Smoot, Relief Society General President. Has been director of church hosting since April 1993 with her husband, Stanley M. Smoot; attended Utah State University; organized the Centerville Historical Society; board member of the South Davis Community Hospital and United Way; author of a history of Centerville; served on editorial board of The Friend magazine; Relief Society president; member of Church Correlation Writing Committee; missionary serving with her husband, who presided over the Ohio Columbus and Ohio Akron missions; seven children.
Carol B. Thomas, second counselor, Young Women General Presidency. Has served as Relief Society General Board member; attended University of Utah; served as stake Young Women president, Relief Society officer and teacher, Primary chorister; husband, D. Ray Thomas, seven children.
Sheri L. Dew, Relief Society second counselor. Currently vice president of publishing for Deseret Book Co.; former associate publisher, This People magazine; former assistant editor, Bookcraft Publishers; earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University; served as a ward and stake Relief Society president, Sunday School teacher and Relief Society General Board member. She is believed to be the first single member of the Relief Society General Presidency.