ElRay L. Christiansen
Encyclopedia
ElRay LaVar Christiansen (July 13, 1897 – December 2, 1975) was a general authority
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1951 until his death.
Christiansen was born in Mayfield
, Utah
to Parley and Dorthea C. Christiansen. He studied at Utah State Agricultural College, Brigham Young University
, and the University of Utah
. Christiansen worked as a high school teacher and principal in various schools. He also worked for the United States Forest Service.
Christiansen married Lewella Ann Rees in 1922. They were the parents of three children. Shortly after their marriage, the couple served as LDS Church missionaries in the church's Central States Mission
. From 1937 to 1941, he was the president
of the church's Texas
–Louisiana
Mission. From 1943 to 1951 he was the president
of the Logan Utah Temple
. He was also a bishop and a stake president in the church.
Christiansen was made an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
in 1951. From 1954 to 1961 he was the president of the Salt Lake Temple
and in 1964 he became the coordinator of all the church's temples
.
Christiansen was a cellist
and played with the Utah Symphony Orchestra
. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah
.
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) from 1951 until his death.
Christiansen was born in Mayfield
Mayfield, Utah
Mayfield is a town in Sanpete County, Utah, United States. The population was 420 at the 2000 census.Mayfield was settled in 1871.-Geography:Mayfield is located at ....
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
to Parley and Dorthea C. Christiansen. He studied at Utah State Agricultural College, Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
, and the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
. Christiansen worked as a high school teacher and principal in various schools. He also worked for the United States Forest Service.
Christiansen married Lewella Ann Rees in 1922. They were the parents of three children. Shortly after their marriage, the couple served as LDS Church missionaries in the church's Central States 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...
. From 1937 to 1941, he was 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 church's Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
–Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
Mission. From 1943 to 1951 he 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 Logan Utah Temple
Logan Utah Temple
The Logan Utah Temple is the 4th constructed and 2nd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Logan, Utah, it was the second LDS temple built in the Rocky Mountains .The LDS temple in Logan was announced on May 18, 1877, just after the dedication...
. He was also a bishop and a stake president in the church.
Christiansen was made an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, commonly shortened to Assistant to the Twelve or Assistant to the Twelve Apostles, was a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1941 and 1976...
in 1951. From 1954 to 1961 he was the president of the Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
and in 1964 he became the coordinator of all the church's temples
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
.
Christiansen was a cellist
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and played with the Utah Symphony Orchestra
Utah Symphony Orchestra
-History:The first attempt to create a symphony group in the Utah area occurred in 1892, before Utah was a state. The Salt Lake Symphony was created and presented just one concert before disbanding. In 1902 the Salt Lake Symphony Orchestra was formed, and it remained in existence until 1911...
. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.