Joe J. Christensen
Encyclopedia
Joe Junior Christensen was the president of Ricks College from 1985 to 1989 and has been a general authority
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1989. He was also president
of the San Diego California Temple
from 1999 to 2002.
Christensen served as an officer in the United States Air Force
. during the Korean War
, from 1953 to 1955. He received a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University
and a Ph.D. from Washington State University
.
For a few months in 1970 Christensen served as president
of the LDS Church mission
headquartered in Mexico City
. He was, however, soon afterward appointed to work under Neal A. Maxwell
in running seminaries and institutes in the church and replaced as mission president.
Christensen was associate commissioner of the Church Educational System
from 1970 to 1985, interrupted by a four-year term as president of the LDS Church's Missionary Training Center
in Provo, Utah
. In 1985, Christensen became president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho
.
In 1989, Christensen was called as a general authority in LDS Church, where he served in the Presidency of the Seventy. He was given general authority emeritus
status in 1999.
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...
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1989. He was also 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 San Diego California Temple
San Diego California Temple
The San Diego California Temple is the 47th constructed and 45th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located near the La Jolla community of San Diego, it was built with two main spires, but unique to this temple are four smaller spires at the base of each main spire...
from 1999 to 2002.
Christensen served as an officer in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, from 1953 to 1955. He received a bachelors degree from 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 a Ph.D. from Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
.
For a few months in 1970 Christensen served as 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 LDS Church 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...
headquartered in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. He was, however, soon afterward appointed to work under Neal A. Maxwell
Neal A. Maxwell
Neal Ash Maxwell was an apostle and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1981 until his death.-Life:...
in running seminaries and institutes in the church and replaced as mission president.
Christensen was associate commissioner of the Church Educational System
Church Educational System
The Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consists of several institutions that provide religious and secular education for both Latter-day Saint and non-Latter-day Saint elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students and adult learners...
from 1970 to 1985, interrupted by a four-year term as president of the LDS Church's Missionary Training Center
Missionary Training Center
Missionary Training Centers are centers devoted to training missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The flagship MTC is located in Provo, Utah, USA, adjacent to the campus of Brigham Young University....
in Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
. In 1985, Christensen became president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, Idaho
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,257 people, 4,274 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,534.4 people per square mile . There were 4,533 housing units at an average density of 928.4 per square mile...
.
In 1989, Christensen was called as a general authority in LDS Church, where he served in the Presidency of the Seventy. He was given general authority emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
status in 1999.
Speeches
- "Resolutions"
- "Powerful Truths That Make a Difference in Our Lives"
- "On Making Revelation a Personal Reality"
- "The Responsibility of Our Heritage"