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Boyd K. Packer: A Watchman on the Tower
A wonderful biography of a very quiet and modest man. "A Watchman on the Tower" tells much of what went on in forming President Boyd K. Packer. His experiences in WWII, as a city counselor in Brigham City, and his extensive work with the seminaries of the LDS Church are brought to light.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 26, 2009
This biography of a current head of the LDS apostles surprised me. Boyd Packer is a fairly threatening figure for LDS intellectuals - he has publicly attacked intellectuals, feminists, gays, and other people on the margins. He was actibe behind the scenes during a purge of intellectuals in 1993. And I have heard rumors that he can be an intimidating figure inside the LDS hierarchy. So I approached this biography warily.
Lucile Tate is not your typical historian - that's what attracted Pres Packer to her. I expected an uncritical hagiography, and that's pretty much what I got. But somehow I wasn't put off. I found the man fully absorbing and fascinating. A completely committed man, faithful to his principles, who has had enormous influence on the Church.
A key principle of Pres Packer is to take the scriptures seriously. This was most clearly seen when the Quorums of the Seventy were fleshed out and assumed their place within the hierarchy, working under the Twelve. The Church wasn't yet organized fully according to scripture, and that re-organization put it in better fit with the revelations.
I recently learned from Edward Kimball's BYU Studies article that Elder Packer was a full supporter of the 1978 change giving priestood to Black males. After reading Tate, I wasn't surprised. I could see Pres Packer as a man who could champion the regular-guy saints out there in the world, regardless of color.
I recommend this book to anyone fearful of Pres Packer - not that it will remove their fears, rather that it will help form a more complete picture of a complex and gifted servant of his God.
Lucile Tate is not your typical historian - that's what attracted Pres Packer to her. I expected an uncritical hagiography, and that's pretty much what I got. But somehow I wasn't put off. I found the man fully absorbing and fascinating. A completely committed man, faithful to his principles, who has had enormous influence on the Church.
A key principle of Pres Packer is to take the scriptures seriously. This was most clearly seen when the Quorums of the Seventy were fleshed out and assumed their place within the hierarchy, working under the Twelve. The Church wasn't yet organized fully according to scripture, and that re-organization put it in better fit with the revelations.
I recently learned from Edward Kimball's BYU Studies article that Elder Packer was a full supporter of the 1978 change giving priestood to Black males. After reading Tate, I wasn't surprised. I could see Pres Packer as a man who could champion the regular-guy saints out there in the world, regardless of color.
I recommend this book to anyone fearful of Pres Packer - not that it will remove their fears, rather that it will help form a more complete picture of a complex and gifted servant of his God.
October 4, 2019
I read this several years ago. Boyd K Packer was an amazing man. I recommend reading this book and learning from his life.
August 3, 2020
Excellent. Loved reading of the life of an apostle I admired so much. My husband and I read it aloud together. A great start to each day.
January 1, 2013
Great book. I loved President Packer before and I love him more now. He has led an amazing life doing the things he should and is such an inspiration. I definitely recommend this book.
February 7, 2025
I admire this man greatly. Not always popular. But his book of sermons are profound. I wish I had his courage.
July 29, 2015
What a wonderful book about the life of an inspired servant of the Lord!….and it was written 20 years before he died, meaning there is much more that could be said I’m sure. ;) I am grateful for the example and teachings and witness of President Boyd K. Packer.
I enjoyed learning about his early years in Brigham City; his military service and how he marked up a copy of the Book of Mormon and came to know the Lord during that time; his clear priority on marriage and family responsibilities; his love for teaching; his service as a mission president in New England; his work on the committee that helped to cross reference the scriptures; his teachings about the temple, the Spirit, priesthood, order, ordinances, and the Seventy; his care for the poor; his focus on what’s most important; and his love and absolute loyalty to the Lord.
I was touched by the themes of obedience, steadiness, marriage, family, following the Spirit, being true to the truth, caring for the poor, loyalty to the Brethren, studying the scriptures and doctrine. President Packer truly was a watchman on the tower – consistently warning and leading in righteousness. I feel closer to the Lord and have a greater desire to serve Him after reading this book and learning more about President Packer’s faith and works.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"For Ira and Emma Packer the wells of contentment ran deep with commitment. Their love existed for one another, but it also extended to having a family, thus magnifying their roles as husband and wife to those of father and mother. Their children would not be disruptive intruders into their personal relationship but welcomed additions to their intimate family circle (p. 12)."
"He now knew what was most precious to him--that God and His Son Jesus Christ lived, that Joseph smith was their prophet, and that the Book of Mormon was true....Boyd pondered the immense gift of a sure witness. He deeply wished to give something in return. He desire to become a true disciple of the Savior and to please God the Eternal Father. Not certain how this should be done, he reasoned that disciple involved self-disciplined. That brought him face to face with a profound test. Of most value to man is his agency. How much of it was he, Boyd Packer, willing to yield? how much was he capable of giving away? 'It had become critically important,' he said, 'to establish this intention between me and the Lord so that I knew that He knew which way I had committed my agency. I went before Him and said, 'I'm not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it's there. I don't care what you do with me and you don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you--everything, all I own, all I am.' And that makes the difference (p. 62).'"
"He determined to be good....Beyond this, he desired to claim the promises in his patriarchal blessing and, in the near future, find an eternal companion to whom he would be a good husband; and he would be a good father to their children as they came (p. 68)."
"Boyd's ambition in life was to be good: to be a good son both to his Father in Heaven and to his earthly parents; to be a good husband to Donna and a good father to their children; and to be a good teacher. All else would have to fit those priorities or be set aside (p. 95)."
"Donna's priorities were to be a good wife: to willingly accept the responsibility of bearing and nurturing as many children as the Lord would allow them; and to help create a home of order and beauty. All other interests would be incidental. Together they decided that Boyd would preside; they would counsel together; and they would act unitedly (p. 96)."
"She remembers an incident that touched her. Noticing a small gold safety-pin fastened to the palm side of his wedding ring, she asked about it. He said simply, 'That is to remind me to be good to you (p. 97).'"
"'Surely you don't expect our Melchizedek Priesthood teachers to use such elementary things as if they were teaching Primary. Isn't that rather childish?' 'Perhaps the demonstration is rather childish, but should we not remember that except we become as little children we shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (p. 111).'"
"Although fully conversant with the terminology of educational philosophy, Boyd had learned that it cannot describe things of the spirit. Only words of spiritual truth as they are presented in the scriptures by the prophets and by the Lord can do that. These truths became Boyd's context from then on (p. 117)."
"No matter how learned or how steeped in academic pursuits he might be, the Latter-day Saint teacher of moral and spirtual truths must stay within the province of the Spirit and follow the Brethren (p. 122)."
"'My boy, you must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and perhaps a few steps into the darkness, and you will find that the light will appear and move ahead of you (Harold B. Lee, p. 138).'"
"'Well, what did you do about it (p. 145)?'"
"'President Packer stood back and put things together in priesthood order, inspired people from where he was, and caused things to happen without his being present (Loren C. Dunn, p. 140).'"
"With a sure witness that Apostles are men of God, Elder packer had consistently and obediently followed their counsel and teachings. Consistency is never burdensome to him; rather, it is the orderly way in which he things and works. And obedience to God and His appointed servants is never restrictive to him; instead, it is the highest expression of his independence (p. 174)."
"'Remember who you are, remember your roots. Hang on to them, your spiritual ones. You are a child of God.... (p. 198).'"
"'Those who joined the unholy power to prevent temple work seemed to win. Time after time they had their way. They ended up, for a time at least, with the sites--leaving to the persecuted Saints nothing. Nothing? No! We have the keys, the ordinances. We have everything. They have nothing. They cannot baptize nor ordain. They cannot wash nor anoint nor endow nor seal. We came away with everything, and they have nothing. Our forebears were compelled, because of those deprivations in the early years, to focus on the things that mattered most (p. 209).'"
"He loved and revered the project as a bringing together of 'the library of the Lord.' For him, it was the treasure house of God's dealings with, and promises for, His children: transcendent promises for the obedient, and stern discipline for the rebellious (p. 214)."
"He taught that the scriptures are the anchor, the compass, the shield, the corrector, the instructor, and the perfecter for all men in all times (p. 218)."
"'It is knowing and obeying the principles and covenants of the temple that make the Church operate in the pattern that has been set by revelation (p. 232).'"
“Collectively his talks are his journal (p. 242).”
“Those who do now know of Elder Packer’s thorough homework, or how he feels as he wrestles through to a principle, may perceive him only as stubborn and immovable. Nevertheless he stands steady and, as a watchman, points out soft spots in our defenses—‘a trend that will take us where we do not want to go; a teaching that seems harmless and appealing on the surface but will destroy the faith of our youth; individuals who cannot take counsel nor get beyond ego, and thus will drag themselves and others down (p. 243).’”
“‘ A member of the Church ought always, particularly if he is pursuing extended academic studies, to judge the professions of men against the revealed word of the Lord (p. 244).’”
“The principles of loyalty and reverence toward the Lord’s anointed, as taught in the scriptures, are central to the character of Boyd K. Packer (p. 245).”
“‘When we overemphasize programs at the expense of principles, we are in danger of losing the inspiration, the resourcefulness, that which should characterize Latter-day Saints. Then the very principle of individual revelation is in jeopardy and we drift from a fundamental gospel principle (p. 250)!’”
“‘He is austere in the sense that he does not invite familiarity, but Boyd Packer is interested in principle and does not hesitate to make himself understood when one is at stake….[he] is the prototypical person who, in the words of Neal A. Maxwell, ‘has his citizenship in the kingdom and is a temporary traveler in the intellectual world (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 262).’”
“He does not object to highly educated individuals discussing their opinions among themselves; but he does object to, and counsels against, teaching opinion as truth, or teaching that there are no absolute truths except those which can be empirically proven (p. 263).”
“‘Boyd is a great student of nature and particularly of birds. He has an acute sense of observation. He sees a lot of the subtleties that I would overlook (Lance Turner, p. 272).’”
“In the Packer home is the peace and quietude he requires, so that while his hands create, thoughts, and insights come for problem solving, for pure knowledge to flow, and for revelation to come, not for his art alone but also for his talks, his teaching worldwide, and his input within the General Authority councils (p. 275).”
“‘Elder Packer is by nature task-oriented, moving large issues along to a solution. But while President Hunter was ill, he sensed that he was in a different role. And so he shifted from the role of a driving, leading force to one who paused and did what I would call maintenance work on feelings, and in giving encouragement. He nurtured us, and I thought it a wonderful thing to see how well he did (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 290).’”
“‘I determined that among all the gifts that might make one useful to the Lord the gift to teach by the Spirit would be supreme. I came to find that if one desired it, asked for it, prayed for it, studied, pondered, and earned it, and believed with sufficient faith that he could possess it, the gift would not be withheld from him (p. 296).’”
“With this personal knowledge of the Master Teacher, Brother Packer has been a student of the Lord’s teaching techniques, attempting never to teach except as guided by the Spirit. In doing so, he gives full credit to those other watchmen from whom he has learned, saying, ‘Most of what I know about the ministry that is really worth knowing, I learned by reading about the Brethren of the past and watching the Brethren I have known (p. 296).’”
“A central motivating force in President Packer’s life has been his early commitment to obedience. It set him on a course of freedom beyond his highest expectations. He wrote: ‘Obedience—that which God will never take by force—He will accept when freely given. And He will then return to you freedom that you can hardly dream of—the freedom to feel and to know, the freedom to do, and the freedom to be, at least a thousandfold more than we offer Him. Strangely enough the key to freedom is obedience (p. 298).’”
“As central to their lives as are family and home there is a deeper center. It is President Packer’s call as a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ….Having yielded their agency to the Lord, and having committed their lives to His service, they have met each test and shouldered each responsibility that has come to them. All they are and ever will be is consecrated to Him and His redeeming work—the salvation of all of Father’s children (p. 303).”
I enjoyed learning about his early years in Brigham City; his military service and how he marked up a copy of the Book of Mormon and came to know the Lord during that time; his clear priority on marriage and family responsibilities; his love for teaching; his service as a mission president in New England; his work on the committee that helped to cross reference the scriptures; his teachings about the temple, the Spirit, priesthood, order, ordinances, and the Seventy; his care for the poor; his focus on what’s most important; and his love and absolute loyalty to the Lord.
I was touched by the themes of obedience, steadiness, marriage, family, following the Spirit, being true to the truth, caring for the poor, loyalty to the Brethren, studying the scriptures and doctrine. President Packer truly was a watchman on the tower – consistently warning and leading in righteousness. I feel closer to the Lord and have a greater desire to serve Him after reading this book and learning more about President Packer’s faith and works.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"For Ira and Emma Packer the wells of contentment ran deep with commitment. Their love existed for one another, but it also extended to having a family, thus magnifying their roles as husband and wife to those of father and mother. Their children would not be disruptive intruders into their personal relationship but welcomed additions to their intimate family circle (p. 12)."
"He now knew what was most precious to him--that God and His Son Jesus Christ lived, that Joseph smith was their prophet, and that the Book of Mormon was true....Boyd pondered the immense gift of a sure witness. He deeply wished to give something in return. He desire to become a true disciple of the Savior and to please God the Eternal Father. Not certain how this should be done, he reasoned that disciple involved self-disciplined. That brought him face to face with a profound test. Of most value to man is his agency. How much of it was he, Boyd Packer, willing to yield? how much was he capable of giving away? 'It had become critically important,' he said, 'to establish this intention between me and the Lord so that I knew that He knew which way I had committed my agency. I went before Him and said, 'I'm not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it's there. I don't care what you do with me and you don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you--everything, all I own, all I am.' And that makes the difference (p. 62).'"
"He determined to be good....Beyond this, he desired to claim the promises in his patriarchal blessing and, in the near future, find an eternal companion to whom he would be a good husband; and he would be a good father to their children as they came (p. 68)."
"Boyd's ambition in life was to be good: to be a good son both to his Father in Heaven and to his earthly parents; to be a good husband to Donna and a good father to their children; and to be a good teacher. All else would have to fit those priorities or be set aside (p. 95)."
"Donna's priorities were to be a good wife: to willingly accept the responsibility of bearing and nurturing as many children as the Lord would allow them; and to help create a home of order and beauty. All other interests would be incidental. Together they decided that Boyd would preside; they would counsel together; and they would act unitedly (p. 96)."
"She remembers an incident that touched her. Noticing a small gold safety-pin fastened to the palm side of his wedding ring, she asked about it. He said simply, 'That is to remind me to be good to you (p. 97).'"
"'Surely you don't expect our Melchizedek Priesthood teachers to use such elementary things as if they were teaching Primary. Isn't that rather childish?' 'Perhaps the demonstration is rather childish, but should we not remember that except we become as little children we shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (p. 111).'"
"Although fully conversant with the terminology of educational philosophy, Boyd had learned that it cannot describe things of the spirit. Only words of spiritual truth as they are presented in the scriptures by the prophets and by the Lord can do that. These truths became Boyd's context from then on (p. 117)."
"No matter how learned or how steeped in academic pursuits he might be, the Latter-day Saint teacher of moral and spirtual truths must stay within the province of the Spirit and follow the Brethren (p. 122)."
"'My boy, you must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and perhaps a few steps into the darkness, and you will find that the light will appear and move ahead of you (Harold B. Lee, p. 138).'"
"'Well, what did you do about it (p. 145)?'"
"'President Packer stood back and put things together in priesthood order, inspired people from where he was, and caused things to happen without his being present (Loren C. Dunn, p. 140).'"
"With a sure witness that Apostles are men of God, Elder packer had consistently and obediently followed their counsel and teachings. Consistency is never burdensome to him; rather, it is the orderly way in which he things and works. And obedience to God and His appointed servants is never restrictive to him; instead, it is the highest expression of his independence (p. 174)."
"'Remember who you are, remember your roots. Hang on to them, your spiritual ones. You are a child of God.... (p. 198).'"
"'Those who joined the unholy power to prevent temple work seemed to win. Time after time they had their way. They ended up, for a time at least, with the sites--leaving to the persecuted Saints nothing. Nothing? No! We have the keys, the ordinances. We have everything. They have nothing. They cannot baptize nor ordain. They cannot wash nor anoint nor endow nor seal. We came away with everything, and they have nothing. Our forebears were compelled, because of those deprivations in the early years, to focus on the things that mattered most (p. 209).'"
"He loved and revered the project as a bringing together of 'the library of the Lord.' For him, it was the treasure house of God's dealings with, and promises for, His children: transcendent promises for the obedient, and stern discipline for the rebellious (p. 214)."
"He taught that the scriptures are the anchor, the compass, the shield, the corrector, the instructor, and the perfecter for all men in all times (p. 218)."
"'It is knowing and obeying the principles and covenants of the temple that make the Church operate in the pattern that has been set by revelation (p. 232).'"
“Collectively his talks are his journal (p. 242).”
“Those who do now know of Elder Packer’s thorough homework, or how he feels as he wrestles through to a principle, may perceive him only as stubborn and immovable. Nevertheless he stands steady and, as a watchman, points out soft spots in our defenses—‘a trend that will take us where we do not want to go; a teaching that seems harmless and appealing on the surface but will destroy the faith of our youth; individuals who cannot take counsel nor get beyond ego, and thus will drag themselves and others down (p. 243).’”
“‘ A member of the Church ought always, particularly if he is pursuing extended academic studies, to judge the professions of men against the revealed word of the Lord (p. 244).’”
“The principles of loyalty and reverence toward the Lord’s anointed, as taught in the scriptures, are central to the character of Boyd K. Packer (p. 245).”
“‘When we overemphasize programs at the expense of principles, we are in danger of losing the inspiration, the resourcefulness, that which should characterize Latter-day Saints. Then the very principle of individual revelation is in jeopardy and we drift from a fundamental gospel principle (p. 250)!’”
“‘He is austere in the sense that he does not invite familiarity, but Boyd Packer is interested in principle and does not hesitate to make himself understood when one is at stake….[he] is the prototypical person who, in the words of Neal A. Maxwell, ‘has his citizenship in the kingdom and is a temporary traveler in the intellectual world (Dallin H. Oaks, p. 262).’”
“He does not object to highly educated individuals discussing their opinions among themselves; but he does object to, and counsels against, teaching opinion as truth, or teaching that there are no absolute truths except those which can be empirically proven (p. 263).”
“‘Boyd is a great student of nature and particularly of birds. He has an acute sense of observation. He sees a lot of the subtleties that I would overlook (Lance Turner, p. 272).’”
“In the Packer home is the peace and quietude he requires, so that while his hands create, thoughts, and insights come for problem solving, for pure knowledge to flow, and for revelation to come, not for his art alone but also for his talks, his teaching worldwide, and his input within the General Authority councils (p. 275).”
“‘Elder Packer is by nature task-oriented, moving large issues along to a solution. But while President Hunter was ill, he sensed that he was in a different role. And so he shifted from the role of a driving, leading force to one who paused and did what I would call maintenance work on feelings, and in giving encouragement. He nurtured us, and I thought it a wonderful thing to see how well he did (Neal A. Maxwell, p. 290).’”
“‘I determined that among all the gifts that might make one useful to the Lord the gift to teach by the Spirit would be supreme. I came to find that if one desired it, asked for it, prayed for it, studied, pondered, and earned it, and believed with sufficient faith that he could possess it, the gift would not be withheld from him (p. 296).’”
“With this personal knowledge of the Master Teacher, Brother Packer has been a student of the Lord’s teaching techniques, attempting never to teach except as guided by the Spirit. In doing so, he gives full credit to those other watchmen from whom he has learned, saying, ‘Most of what I know about the ministry that is really worth knowing, I learned by reading about the Brethren of the past and watching the Brethren I have known (p. 296).’”
“A central motivating force in President Packer’s life has been his early commitment to obedience. It set him on a course of freedom beyond his highest expectations. He wrote: ‘Obedience—that which God will never take by force—He will accept when freely given. And He will then return to you freedom that you can hardly dream of—the freedom to feel and to know, the freedom to do, and the freedom to be, at least a thousandfold more than we offer Him. Strangely enough the key to freedom is obedience (p. 298).’”
“As central to their lives as are family and home there is a deeper center. It is President Packer’s call as a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ….Having yielded their agency to the Lord, and having committed their lives to His service, they have met each test and shouldered each responsibility that has come to them. All they are and ever will be is consecrated to Him and His redeeming work—the salvation of all of Father’s children (p. 303).”
October 14, 2025
BOOK REVIEW - Boyd K. Packer, A Watchman on the Tower, by Lucile C. Tate (1999)
I expected a biography of the public persona that followed Elder Packer. This is anything but. Tate’s biography an insightful and reverent portrait of one of the most influential and sometimes misunderstood leaders in the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tate, who had access to Elder Packer and many of his close associates, crafts a nuanced account of a man whose life reflected a striking balance between firmness and compassion, authority and tenderness, structure and spiritual freedom.
Tate’s narrative makes clear that the public Boyd K. Packer—often viewed as stern, doctrinally exacting, and unyielding in matters of principle—was in private a man of deep empathy and quiet service. She reveals a teacher and mentor who ministered to individuals with gentleness and humor, who wept with those who struggled, and who went out of his way to help the one. This apparent contradiction between the “watchman” on the tower and the private counselor underscores Packer’s complexity: his seeming severity was rooted not in rigidity, but in his conviction that truth and love were inseparable.
Throughout the book, Tate provides moving examples of Packer’s acts of kindness and pastoral sensitivity—ministering to those in despair, encouraging struggling missionaries, his intimate role in the Genesis Group, and reaching out to the less confident or overlooked. His compassion was quiet and personal, often unseen. Yet, his counsel in public settings could sound uncompromising, even austere. Tate shows that these two sides were not contradictory but complementary: he saw discipline and love as two aspects of genuine discipleship.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is its treatment of Packer’s discomfort with excessive institutional structuring within the Church. Although he was one of the architects of the modern correlation system, Tate notes that he warned repeatedly against allowing bureaucracy or formalism to stifle personal revelation and inspired adaptation. He feared that over-correlation—intended to promote efficiency and unity—could become a constraint on inspiration and individuality. In this way, Packer’s conservative instincts actually defended a profoundly spiritual liberalism: the belief that divine guidance cannot be micromanaged.
Tate also captures Packer as a consummate teacher and artist, whose wood carvings and illustrations mirrored his gospel teaching—careful, detailed, and expressive. His artistic gifts reflected his deep reverence for the Creator and his belief that beauty, order, and craftsmanship were themselves spiritual virtues. His home life, full of humor, love, and devotion to his wife and children, humanized the image of a man often seen only in his formal role.
By the end of Tate’s biography, Elder Packer emerges as a man of paradoxes that were, in truth, harmonies: strong yet tender, structured yet spiritual, doctrinal yet deeply personal. His life embodied a prophet’s warning voice tempered by a shepherd’s compassion. Tate’s respectful yet honest portrayal allows readers to appreciate not only his convictions but also the heart that guided them.
Quotes:
“Some people thought Elder Packer was stern because he never compromised principle. But those who really knew him saw tears in his eyes more often than anger in his voice. He loved too deeply to leave people comfortable in their sins.”
“He warned that the Church could become so well organized that it might stifle the very inspiration it was meant to channel. ‘We must never structure ourselves out of revelation,’ he said. ‘The Spirit does not operate on schedules or through committees; it comes quietly to the heart that listens.’”
Personal Reflections:
In 1998, I received a call from our Area President asking if my wife and I could meet Elder Packer at the airport and transport him to his hotel. He was coming to meet with the mission presidents in the Northeastern United States. As we drove him to his hotel he slept in the backseat of our car. At the time he was 73 years old. I remember thinking when most men his age were enjoying their retirement he was traveling the world preaching the Gospel and building up the church and literally wearing himself out in the service of the Lord. As we bid him farewell that night at the hotel, he asked me if I could meet him in the morning and drive him to visit the Church historical sites. He said he would leave the morning meetings in the hands of the Area President while we went to the Sacred Grove, the Hill Cumorah and Mendon, NY. I sensed that he wanted and needed a recharge.
The next morning when I met him he was reading a story in the Wall Street Journal about Pope John Paul II. I said to me, “The Pope is a fine man of God.” Hardly the comment of a harsh dogmatic man that some thought him to be. As we drove between the historic sites he occasionally slept. Again, I saw the fatigue knowing that had been on the road many days already prior to this most recent assignment. He loved being in the sacred sites of the restoration and treated each one with deep reverence. When we were done visiting the sites I took him to the church were the meetings were being held. As I dropped him off I assumed my services as a driver were no longer needed, but he invited me to join him in the meeting. I was the youngest man in the room full of seasoned mission presidents. I felt a little awkward being the only one without a reason to be there. I sat in the back while Elder Packer taught the mission presidents for 2 hours. The fatigue that I had seen earlier was gone. He was powerful as he taught.
Elder Packer’s teaching method was always based on questions. He felt that through inspired questions would come revelatory answers. Some questions were quite technical about how to handle various situations that mission presidents are faced with. After answering a number of these questions, he listened to a particularly technical question, as he did so he got a big grin on his face. He then said something that has stayed with me all these years – “Presidents, I have never intentionally violated a rule, policy, or principle of the Church. However, I have bent some so far out of shape they are hardly recognizable. Now, Presidents, just get the spirit and you will not make a mistake in your decisions.”
A couple of years later he was in town for another mission president’s seminar. My wife and I were invited to join he and Elder Ballard for lunch with the mission presidents. As we greeted him he asked my wife if I was treating her well. She smiled and said “Most of the time.” Elder Packer then smacked me up side of the head with a big smile on his face and said, “What’s the matter with you? Treat her well all of the time.” I don’t know many people that have been smacked in the head by the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. Again, I saw a very different man that the public perception.
I expected a biography of the public persona that followed Elder Packer. This is anything but. Tate’s biography an insightful and reverent portrait of one of the most influential and sometimes misunderstood leaders in the modern Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tate, who had access to Elder Packer and many of his close associates, crafts a nuanced account of a man whose life reflected a striking balance between firmness and compassion, authority and tenderness, structure and spiritual freedom.
Tate’s narrative makes clear that the public Boyd K. Packer—often viewed as stern, doctrinally exacting, and unyielding in matters of principle—was in private a man of deep empathy and quiet service. She reveals a teacher and mentor who ministered to individuals with gentleness and humor, who wept with those who struggled, and who went out of his way to help the one. This apparent contradiction between the “watchman” on the tower and the private counselor underscores Packer’s complexity: his seeming severity was rooted not in rigidity, but in his conviction that truth and love were inseparable.
Throughout the book, Tate provides moving examples of Packer’s acts of kindness and pastoral sensitivity—ministering to those in despair, encouraging struggling missionaries, his intimate role in the Genesis Group, and reaching out to the less confident or overlooked. His compassion was quiet and personal, often unseen. Yet, his counsel in public settings could sound uncompromising, even austere. Tate shows that these two sides were not contradictory but complementary: he saw discipline and love as two aspects of genuine discipleship.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is its treatment of Packer’s discomfort with excessive institutional structuring within the Church. Although he was one of the architects of the modern correlation system, Tate notes that he warned repeatedly against allowing bureaucracy or formalism to stifle personal revelation and inspired adaptation. He feared that over-correlation—intended to promote efficiency and unity—could become a constraint on inspiration and individuality. In this way, Packer’s conservative instincts actually defended a profoundly spiritual liberalism: the belief that divine guidance cannot be micromanaged.
Tate also captures Packer as a consummate teacher and artist, whose wood carvings and illustrations mirrored his gospel teaching—careful, detailed, and expressive. His artistic gifts reflected his deep reverence for the Creator and his belief that beauty, order, and craftsmanship were themselves spiritual virtues. His home life, full of humor, love, and devotion to his wife and children, humanized the image of a man often seen only in his formal role.
By the end of Tate’s biography, Elder Packer emerges as a man of paradoxes that were, in truth, harmonies: strong yet tender, structured yet spiritual, doctrinal yet deeply personal. His life embodied a prophet’s warning voice tempered by a shepherd’s compassion. Tate’s respectful yet honest portrayal allows readers to appreciate not only his convictions but also the heart that guided them.
Quotes:
“Some people thought Elder Packer was stern because he never compromised principle. But those who really knew him saw tears in his eyes more often than anger in his voice. He loved too deeply to leave people comfortable in their sins.”
“He warned that the Church could become so well organized that it might stifle the very inspiration it was meant to channel. ‘We must never structure ourselves out of revelation,’ he said. ‘The Spirit does not operate on schedules or through committees; it comes quietly to the heart that listens.’”
Personal Reflections:
In 1998, I received a call from our Area President asking if my wife and I could meet Elder Packer at the airport and transport him to his hotel. He was coming to meet with the mission presidents in the Northeastern United States. As we drove him to his hotel he slept in the backseat of our car. At the time he was 73 years old. I remember thinking when most men his age were enjoying their retirement he was traveling the world preaching the Gospel and building up the church and literally wearing himself out in the service of the Lord. As we bid him farewell that night at the hotel, he asked me if I could meet him in the morning and drive him to visit the Church historical sites. He said he would leave the morning meetings in the hands of the Area President while we went to the Sacred Grove, the Hill Cumorah and Mendon, NY. I sensed that he wanted and needed a recharge.
The next morning when I met him he was reading a story in the Wall Street Journal about Pope John Paul II. I said to me, “The Pope is a fine man of God.” Hardly the comment of a harsh dogmatic man that some thought him to be. As we drove between the historic sites he occasionally slept. Again, I saw the fatigue knowing that had been on the road many days already prior to this most recent assignment. He loved being in the sacred sites of the restoration and treated each one with deep reverence. When we were done visiting the sites I took him to the church were the meetings were being held. As I dropped him off I assumed my services as a driver were no longer needed, but he invited me to join him in the meeting. I was the youngest man in the room full of seasoned mission presidents. I felt a little awkward being the only one without a reason to be there. I sat in the back while Elder Packer taught the mission presidents for 2 hours. The fatigue that I had seen earlier was gone. He was powerful as he taught.
Elder Packer’s teaching method was always based on questions. He felt that through inspired questions would come revelatory answers. Some questions were quite technical about how to handle various situations that mission presidents are faced with. After answering a number of these questions, he listened to a particularly technical question, as he did so he got a big grin on his face. He then said something that has stayed with me all these years – “Presidents, I have never intentionally violated a rule, policy, or principle of the Church. However, I have bent some so far out of shape they are hardly recognizable. Now, Presidents, just get the spirit and you will not make a mistake in your decisions.”
A couple of years later he was in town for another mission president’s seminar. My wife and I were invited to join he and Elder Ballard for lunch with the mission presidents. As we greeted him he asked my wife if I was treating her well. She smiled and said “Most of the time.” Elder Packer then smacked me up side of the head with a big smile on his face and said, “What’s the matter with you? Treat her well all of the time.” I don’t know many people that have been smacked in the head by the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. Again, I saw a very different man that the public perception.
October 6, 2021
This is one of the better LDS biographies. Because Boyd K Packer did not keep a regular journal, his talks, speeches and addresses were used as the reference source for most of the book. This gives this volume a unique voice and POV that other biographies did not come close having. In addition, he was a man who was deeply devoted and dedicated to the Lord from a very young age.
The consequence of all that is a different, unique and very enjoyable telling of a man of God's uniquely dedicated, consecrated life.
I cannot imagine any one reading it, without learning, experiencing and loving the unique disciples life and philosophy.
The consequence of all that is a different, unique and very enjoyable telling of a man of God's uniquely dedicated, consecrated life.
I cannot imagine any one reading it, without learning, experiencing and loving the unique disciples life and philosophy.
September 2, 2019
This is by far the most inciteful treatise on the workings of the general authorities of the Church. It is a biography but it is more in the style of a documentary. It gives detailed information into his life and how he handled and dealt with the many assignments and challenges that were given to him throughout his life. It is not a captivating book but a very informative one and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about how the general authorities function and more particularly about Pres. Packer. I am very glad I read this book.
March 25, 2025
Very good history of a great man who shaped my own understanding of, and appreciation for, the Gospel. Even in his biography, Elder Packer is a bit hidden and aloof. He loved his family, the Lord, and the Church and he worked his whole life toward those ends.
October 7, 2023
This is a great biography of one of my heroes, Boyd Packer. What a great life he lived!
October 27, 2023
Wonderful book about a remarkable man. Also, being somewhat newly made aware of the power of identifying principles, I was surprised how much that concept popped up in this book.
March 4, 2025
Fantastic biography with a lot of takeaways and gems throughout.
June 26, 2025
I just love reading biographies of church leaders. This was wonderfully written and very insightful.
August 22, 2014
This is a wonderful book that perfectly reflects its subject. Initially I was surprised at how short it is but it reflects President Packer's humble unassuming nature. From the book I get the sense that Pres. Packer dislikes a lot of attention on his personal life and accomplishments, apparently he didn't want a chapter on his art work at first for instance. When I think of President Packer I think of what he said in a 2008 talk when quoting President Spencer W. Kimball:
"President Kimball is remembered for his statement, “My life is like my shoes—to be worn out in service.” That applies to all members of the Twelve. We also wear ourselves out in service of the Lord, and we do so willingly. It is not an easy life for us or our families."
This humble man's life is not about him. It is about the church and the principles it teaches. Since Pres. Packer received his witness of the truth of the gospel on a little island in the Pacific Ocean, his dedication to the gospel and the church has been total and unrelenting. He meticulously studies and teaches gospel principles and doctrine and tirelessly brings himself and the church into closer conformity with them. Examples abound from his work insuring orthodoxy in Church Education to my favorite example and maybe my favorite part of the book which was the account of how President Packer was the driving force behind the a simplification and consolidation of church funds in the early 90s. Before the change stakes and regions had had to raise their own funds for activities and chapels. Then, largely thanks to Pres. Packer's efforts the policy changed to units receiving standard amounts based on the number of members and the church reimbursing specific expenses. This allowed members to have more time with their families and ultimately returned authority and responsibility over children to parents rather than the church taking some of it. No one knows better than Pres. Packer that, "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home." (April 2014 Conference Address)
I thought that it was touching that many of what Pres. Packer considers to be his greatest accomplishments were being part of a council that made important decisions or worked on a large project or serving as institutional memory in the leading councils of the church. Perhaps most notable is his work with Elder McConkie and President Monson on the LDS Edition of the Scriptures. President Packer has dedicated himself completely to the institution of the church and doesn't give a thought for recognition. He gives hours and hours of one on one instruction to fellow General Authorities to help them as other others have helped him. He is very reluctant to receive personal recognition and when he does receive it he deflects it to principles of the gospel. For example, from other sources I know of Pres. Packer's role in shaping the current structure of the Church Educational System including Institutes at colleges and early morning seminary. But, nothing is mentioned in this book of that. I also know of Pres. Packer's extensive doctrinal writing esp. his book "The Holy Temple" but only passing mention is made of Pres. Packer's extensive doctrinal knowledge and teachings. Pres. Packer is a humble man and a great one, and this is an excellent book well worth reading.
"President Kimball is remembered for his statement, “My life is like my shoes—to be worn out in service.” That applies to all members of the Twelve. We also wear ourselves out in service of the Lord, and we do so willingly. It is not an easy life for us or our families."
This humble man's life is not about him. It is about the church and the principles it teaches. Since Pres. Packer received his witness of the truth of the gospel on a little island in the Pacific Ocean, his dedication to the gospel and the church has been total and unrelenting. He meticulously studies and teaches gospel principles and doctrine and tirelessly brings himself and the church into closer conformity with them. Examples abound from his work insuring orthodoxy in Church Education to my favorite example and maybe my favorite part of the book which was the account of how President Packer was the driving force behind the a simplification and consolidation of church funds in the early 90s. Before the change stakes and regions had had to raise their own funds for activities and chapels. Then, largely thanks to Pres. Packer's efforts the policy changed to units receiving standard amounts based on the number of members and the church reimbursing specific expenses. This allowed members to have more time with their families and ultimately returned authority and responsibility over children to parents rather than the church taking some of it. No one knows better than Pres. Packer that, "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home." (April 2014 Conference Address)
I thought that it was touching that many of what Pres. Packer considers to be his greatest accomplishments were being part of a council that made important decisions or worked on a large project or serving as institutional memory in the leading councils of the church. Perhaps most notable is his work with Elder McConkie and President Monson on the LDS Edition of the Scriptures. President Packer has dedicated himself completely to the institution of the church and doesn't give a thought for recognition. He gives hours and hours of one on one instruction to fellow General Authorities to help them as other others have helped him. He is very reluctant to receive personal recognition and when he does receive it he deflects it to principles of the gospel. For example, from other sources I know of Pres. Packer's role in shaping the current structure of the Church Educational System including Institutes at colleges and early morning seminary. But, nothing is mentioned in this book of that. I also know of Pres. Packer's extensive doctrinal writing esp. his book "The Holy Temple" but only passing mention is made of Pres. Packer's extensive doctrinal knowledge and teachings. Pres. Packer is a humble man and a great one, and this is an excellent book well worth reading.
December 14, 2015
The perfect Sunday reading book, especially if you loved President Packer and you love biographies. I like the inclusion of both Donna and Boyd's ancestor stories, so the impact of small choices centuries ago could be appreciated. The worst part about this book is that it was published 20 years ago. It needs a second edition to cover the last 20 years of President Packer's legendary needs-extra-bodyguards service. Some of his most profound conference talks happened within the last couple years of his life. Made me miss him...
February 23, 2014
This biography of President Packer helped me appreciate his background.
I loved his perspective of helping the priesthood become available to all worthy men. He also pushed (for years) for church financial simplification. What a blessing this is throughout the world.
It's interesting that he has been criticized for being anti-intellectual. In reality, he is a very considerate and deep thinker. He studies the scriptures and the prophets and sticks to the truth. That's what we all should do.
I loved his perspective of helping the priesthood become available to all worthy men. He also pushed (for years) for church financial simplification. What a blessing this is throughout the world.
It's interesting that he has been criticized for being anti-intellectual. In reality, he is a very considerate and deep thinker. He studies the scriptures and the prophets and sticks to the truth. That's what we all should do.
April 28, 2008
This was one of the most well-written biographies I have read! Of course, the content might not be interesting to some people. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of LDS Seminary and the LDS Church Organizational hierarchy evolve throughout the course of this man's life. He experienced this growth on a personal level, and the author really made it come alive for me.
May 22, 2010
This was an excellent book to learn more about an Apostle of the Lord. I enjoy reading these kinds of books to know about their backgrounds before they were Apostles. Well worth the read. This was our book group book for the month.
December 23, 2011
I wasn't expecting my reaction to this book. I have always thought Pres. Packer to be stiff and stern. I found myself identifying with him in many ways. His life touched my heart and I felt I knew him better and appreciated his leadership. Well worth the reading. The author is very good.
December 23, 2013
I thought thus was a wonderful biography. I learned a lot about Pres. Packer. For years he was a neighbor to my husbands aunt and uncle so I've heard wonderful things about him. The book increase my knowledge about the church and just reinforced my opinion of what a wonderful man Pres. Packer is.
April 14, 2014
Read this for my Living Prophets class at BYU and I really loved the unique way that it was put together. Nice length and it focuses on the lifestyle that President Packer has as a disciple of Christ. A most humble person.
November 19, 2015
The beginning was largely about his genealogy. I found the second half more enjoyable, which focusing more on his accomplishments and pearls of wisdom. The book is a little dated, with this second edition printed 19 years ago.
February 6, 2016
Oh how I love this man. I thought I loved him before, but after reading his biography, I love him even more. What an incredible life he led and through his life, his example. This book has given me much to think, ponder, and act upon.
August 6, 2008
An enjoyable biography of Boyd K. Packer. It's nice to know more about his childhood, church experience, military service and educational career. I love the title.
March 5, 2009
I loved this biography! I also enjoyed the photographs of his paintings and wood sculptures of birds. I wish I were friends with Elder Packer
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November 17, 2012Good so far...
November 5, 2010
A wonderful biography.
November 25, 2010
Great biography of a great man.
May 10, 2011
An excellent biography.
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