This biographical sketch adapted from "News of the Church: Elder Jack
H. Goaslind, Jr. of the First Quorum of the Seventy" in The Ensign, November
1978, page 98 on the occasion of his call to the First Quorum of the Seventy
and from other sources.
Elder and Sister Jack H. Goaslind, Jr., love working
with young people. They've done it all their lives.
When Elder Goaslind was bishop, the young men in
the ward decided to hike the steep trail of Mt. Timpanogos, just north
of Provo, Utah. But one boy's physical capacities didn't match his exuberant
desires: Skipper Howard was confined to a
wheelchair. Wanting Skipper to share the adventure with his friends,
Bishop Goaslind, his counselor, Lynn Pinegar, and the other boys pushed
him in his wheelchair every step of the way.
“I have a great love for the youth,” says Elder Goaslind.
He has expressed that love by serving youth in many Church capacities.
As stake president, he had the special responsibility
of supervising the Salt Lake Valley young adults and special interests
when that program was just being initiated. That experience prepared him
to serve as counselor in the general presidency of the
APMIA (now the Young Men organization.)
Through these assignments, the Goaslinds have worked
with many choice young people. But they’re quick to explain that to them
the most important group of youth is their children: Pat, her husband Bryan
Glaittli, and their son Greg; David, recently
returned from the England London South Mission; Mark, currently serving
in the Italy Padova Mission; Elizabeth, Richard, and Diane.
Born in Salt Lake City on 18 April 1928 to Jack H.
and Anita Jane Jack Goaslind, Elder Goaslind has always felt close to his
father. They served simultaneously as bishops and stake presidents, and
worked for many years together in business.
An avid skier since grade school, Elder Goaslind
decided at nineteen to go on a mission, turning down an invitation to train
for the Olympics. He has continued to enjoy the sport, however. “But I
don't think he'll be getting a new set of skis this year,” quips Sister
Goaslind.
Instead of buying new skis, the new member of the
First Quorum of the Seventy says he plans to get a good pair of track shoes.
Why?
“To keep up with President [Spencer
W.] Kimball,” he says. “I just hope I can run that fast!
“President Kimball has blessed my life by extending
a call from the Lord for me to serve my fellowmen in new and exciting ways,”
he continues. “I am humbly grateful.”
Adapted from “News of the Church,” The Ensign,
November. 1985, page 100.
Elder Jack H Goaslind, Jr. of the First Quorum of
the Seventy was called to the presidency of that quorum October 6 at the
closing session of general conference.
He filled a vacancy in the presidency occasioned
by the call of Elder M. Russell Ballard to the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Goaslind had many years of Church leadership
experience and filled administrative roles through his General Authority
assignments for the past several years. In the past, he has served in the
general presidency of the Church's Young Men organization.
He talked with the Ensign about his new calling
and his background.
On the Friday before general conference, Elder Jack
H Goaslind, Jr., told his wife, Gwen, that his secretary had just informed
him she was moving and would have to quit. To a man who develops close
ties with those he works with, the news was indeed unwelcome.
But general conference brought even greater changes
in his life than he had anticipated. He was called as one of the seven
presidents of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
At the time of the call, Elder Goaslind was president
of the Church's North America Northwest Area and a managing director of
the Priesthood Department. Prior to that, he served as a member of the
Asia Area Presidency, as a Managing Director of the Missionary Department,
and as a regional representative.
In 1972, Elder Goaslind was called to serve as a
counselor in the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood Mutual Improvement
Association. He and his wife, the former Gwen Bradford, were then called
to preside over the Arizona Tempe Mission. And in
September 1978, he was called as a member of the First Quorum of the
Seventy.
Before being called to full-time Church service,
Elder Goaslind was vice-president of Affiliated Metals, Inc.
Elder Goaslind was born 18 April 1928, to Jack H.
and Anita Jack Goaslind. Following a mission, he graduated from the University
of Utah, where he met his future wife. A native of Salt Lake City, Elder
Goaslind is an avid skier and loves doing things with his family. He and
Sister Goaslind are the parents of three sons and three daughters and are
expecting their ninth grandchild.
His father has always been an inspiration to him.
One of the memorable experiences of his life was serving first as bishop,
then as stake president at the same time his father was serving in both
those assignments in the neighboring stake. He felt it was an honor to
be associated with his father in that service. “I will be eternally grateful,”
he said of his parents, “for their love and its profound influence on my
life.”
Since his visit with President Kimball when he was
called to the First Quorum of the Seventy, “things have not been the same.
More than ever before,” he testifies, “I feel my total dependence on the
Lord and pray earnestly for his Spirit to attend me.”
Two years later, Elder Goaslind was released from the
Presidency of the Seventy on August 15, 1987 so that he could serve as President of the British Isles-Africa Area of the Church, He was once more called into
the Presidency of the Seventy August 15, 1995. The call would last to August 15, 1998.
He was granted emeritus status on October 3, 1998
