Alvin R. Dyer
Born: 1 January 1903
Called as First Assistant Superintendent of the YMMIA: 1958
Released from Superintendency of the YMMIA: 1958
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 11 October 1958
Called as Counselor in the First Presidency: 6 April 1968 (David O. McKay)
Returned to Assistant to the Twelve: 18 January 1970
Called in the First Quorum of the Seventy: 1 October 1976
Died: 6 March 1977
Called as First Assistant Superintendent of the YMMIA: 1958
Released from Superintendency of the YMMIA: 1958
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 11 October 1958
Called as Counselor in the First Presidency: 6 April 1968 (David O. McKay)
Returned to Assistant to the Twelve: 18 January 1970
Called in the First Quorum of the Seventy: 1 October 1976
Died: 6 March 1977
Talks on Church WebsiteApr 1971 - Ye Shall Not Fear
Oct 1971 - The Nobility of Man in Choosing Good Over Evil Apr 1972 - The Last Dispensation Image source: Improvement Era, December 1958
Image source: Relief Society Magazine, December 1967
Image source: Relief Society Magazine, June 1968
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Image source: Wikipedia, public domain
Image source: Relief Society Magazine, December 1958
Image source: Improvement Era, July 1958
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Biographical Articles
Improvement Era, July 1958, New YMMIA Superintendency Looks Ahead
Improvement Era, December 1958, Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
The Relief Society Magazine, December 1958, Elder Alvin R. Dyer
Instructor, January 1959, Theirs Was Added Upon
The Relief Society Magazine, December 1967, Elder Alvin R. Dyer Sustained as an Apostle
The Relief Society Magazine, June 1968, Elder Alvin R. Dyer Made a Counselor in the First Presidency
Ensign, May 1977, Elder Alvin R. Dyer Dies
Improvement Era, December 1958, Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
The Relief Society Magazine, December 1958, Elder Alvin R. Dyer
Instructor, January 1959, Theirs Was Added Upon
The Relief Society Magazine, December 1967, Elder Alvin R. Dyer Sustained as an Apostle
The Relief Society Magazine, June 1968, Elder Alvin R. Dyer Made a Counselor in the First Presidency
Ensign, May 1977, Elder Alvin R. Dyer Dies
Zobell, Albert L., Jr. "New YMMIA Superintendency Looks Ahead." Improvement Era, July 1958: pg. 522-523.
New YMMIA Superintendency Looks Ahead by Albert L. Zobell, Jr. Research Editor The new general superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association—Superintendent Joseph T. Bentley, who was announced at the April general conference, and his assistant superintendents, Elders Alvin R. Dyer and G. Carlos Smith, Jr., announced several weeks later, bring to their new responsibility training and wisdom gained by long activity in the Church. Superintendent Bentley is an assistant to the president of Brigham Young University, having recently been released as president of the Northern Mexican Mission. First Assistant Superintendent Dyer is serving as president of the Central States Mission and is expected to be released of that responsibility this summer. Second Assistant Superintendent Smith has been serving as president of the Holladay Stake. Joseph Taylor Bentley was born March 6, 1906, in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, the son of Joseph C. and Maud Taylor Bentley. His father, a merchant, was robbed many times by Mexican revolutionists of that day and time, and he was once held captive by the famous rebel, Pancho Villa. Superintendent Bentley attended grade school in Mexico, and as a young lad had many exciting and faith-promoting experiences during the revolutions. In 1924 he came to Provo, and in 1928 was graduated by BYU in accounting and business administration, having worked his way through college. After his marriage to Kathleen Bench on June 14, 1928, he and his bride journeyed to New York City, where he obtained employment and entered Columbia University on a part-time basis. In 1930, he began teaching at the Juarez Academy in Mexico and in 1935 was employed by the American Smelting and Refining Company offices in Chihuahua City. Coming again to Utah in 1940, Superintendent Bentley was principal of the Roosevelt High School. In 1942 he came to the Salt Lake offices of the smelting firm. Becoming a certified public accountant in 1946, he opened his own offices. He joined the BYU accounting department in 1953, and in 1955, became its head. In Church activity he has held most of the offices in the priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations. He was president of the Chihuahua Branch in 1939; a counselor in the Roosevelt (Utah) Stake presidency, 1941-42; a member of the Big Cottonwood (Utah) Stake high council, 1943-46; president of the high priests quorum, Big Cottonwood Stake, 1946-49; president of the American Branch of the Church in Mexico City, 1949; first counselor in the Mexican Mission presidency, 1950-53; a member of the high council, East Sharon (Utah) Stake, 1953-56; second counselor, Brigham Young University Stake, for a short time in 1956, and president of the Northern Mexican Mission from June 1, 1956, until a few months ago. He and Mrs. Bentley are the parents of five children. When he was fifteen (the age of today's Explorers in the MIA), the young man who was to become the general superintendent of the Mutual had a very serious illness. He was taken to El Paso, Texas, where he was examined thoroughly by three physicians. Their verdict: he couldn't possibly live thirty days. But at the end of those thirty days he was well, through the healing power of the priesthood. This is just one of the things that has strengthened the faith of the new leader of one of the Church's youth organizations. Elder Dyer was born January 1, 1904, in Salt Lake City, a son of Alfred Robert and Harriet Walsh Dyer. He filled a mission to the Eastern States in 1922-24, and married May E. Jackson, June 2, 1926. He served as a counselor for eight years in the Fifteenth Ward bishopric; and in the bishopric of the Monument Park Ward for four years, and as bishop of Monument Park Ward for five years. He served as YMMIA superintendent of the Sixteenth Ward and as Sunday School superintendent in Yalecrest Ward. He has served as a member of the high council in Salt Lake and Riverside stakes. While serving as mission president, Elder Dyer has found time to be a member of the Missouri Historical Society and the Jackson County Historical Society. He and Mrs. Dyer are the parents of two children. Elder Smith was born August 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City, a son of George Carlos and Lillian Emery Smith. He was sustained as president of Big Cottonwood Stake in 1949 (the name was changed to Cottonwood Stake in 1950); and as president of Holladay Stake in 1956; previously he had served as a counselor in the Big Cottonwood Stake presidency. He has been a member of the YMMIA superintendency of Holladay Ward and has been a Sunday School teacher. He is an Eagle Scout and a Master M Man. He married LaVon Petersen, March 16, 1933; they are the parents of five children. |
Alvin R. Dyer, 1st assistant general superintendent. He is President of Central States Mission.
G. Carlos Smith, 2nd assistant general superintendent. Elder Smith was formerly President of Holladay (Salt Lake City) Stake.
The new YMMIA superintendency : Joseph T. Bentley,
general superintendent. He is an assistant to the President of Brigham Young University. |
"Alvin R. Dyer, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve." Improvement Era, December 1958: pg. 903.
Alvin R. Dyer Assistant to the Twelve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomes Elder Alvin R. Dyer, as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve. He was called to that position as the Authorities were sustained at the Saturday morning session of the semi-annual general conference, October 11, 1958. Elder Dyer is presently serving as first assistant general superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, a position to which he was called at the conference last April. He returned to Salt Lake City in August, after presiding in the Central States Mission since 1954. While in the mission field he was active in both the Missouri Historical Society and the Jackson County Historical Society. In working with the Indians of that part of the country, he was honored by being received into the Caddo-Delaware Tribe, being awarded the ceremonial headgear of an honorary chief by Church members of that tribe. Elder Dyer was born January 1, 1904 in Salt Lake City, a son of Alfred Robert and Harriet Walsh Dyer. At the age of eighteen he was called to serve in the Eastern States Mission, 1922-24, where he was for a time supervising elder of the New York District. Upon his return from the mission field he completed a correspondence course on mechanical drafting and technical engineering. He served as a sheet metal journeyman from 1925 to 1933. In 1934 he became manager of the heating and air conditioning department of Utah Builders Supply. In 1949 he formed his own Dyer Distributing Company, which he headed until he was called to preside in the Central States Mission. At that time he dissolved his business interests. As a young man, before entering upon his first mission, he was known far and wide for his ability as a baseball pitcher, he also played shortstop. After returning from his mission to the Eastern States, he was offered other athletic positions. He declined, as they required some play on the Sabbath day. Elder Dyer married May Elizabeth Jackson of Salt Lake City in the Salt Lake Temple June 2, 1926. They have one daughter and a son, and one grandson. He served as first counselor in the bishopric of the Fifteenth Ward, Salt Lake Stake, from 1927 to 1934; and as a member of the high council of Salt Lake Stake, 1934-40; as a member of the Riverside Stake high council, 1940-42; as superintendent of Sunday School in the Yalecrest Ward, Bonneville Stake (1942-44); second counselor in the Monument Park Ward bishopric (1944-1948); bishop of the Monument Park Ward from 1948 until 1954 when he was called as mission president. |
Bentley, Joseph T. "Elder Alvin R. Dyer." Relief Society Magazine, December 1958: pg. 800-801.
Elder Alvin R. Dyer Joseph T. Bentley Superintendent, Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association AT the Saturday morning general session of the 128th Semi-Annual Conference held on October 11, 1958, Elder Alvin R. Dyer was sustained as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles. This great and important calling in the Church and kingdom of God is the climax to a life of great devotion and service, for Elder Dyer has been actively devoted to sincere and effective service in the Church all his life. In fact, the one quality which characterizes his life, perhaps more than any other, is the zeal and enthusiasm with which he undertakes any job. Elder Dyer was born January 1, 1904, in Salt Lake City, a son of Page 800 Alfred Robert and Harriet Walsh Dyer. His grandparents came to this country as converts and were faithful pioneers, having come to Utah in the early days. He attended school in Salt Lake, and distinguished himself in baseball and other forms of athletics. In 1922 he was called on a mission to the Eastern States, where he served for two years. He was married in the Salt Lake Temple June 2, 1926, to May Elizabeth Jackson. The Dyer's have two children, a daughter Gloria May Klein, who lives in Salt Lake City, and a son Brent Rulon Dyer, who is attending the Brigham Young University. They have one grandson, Mark R. Klein, who is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Reed Klein. Elder Dyer has been active in Church work all his life, serving as a ward YMMIA superintendent, superintendent of the ward Sunday School, on the high council of two stakes, as a member of several bishoprics, and then as bishop of the Monument Park Ward for five years. In 1954 he was called to preside over the Central States Mission, where he served until called to the General Superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in June 1958. It has indeed been a great pleasure to work with Elder Dyer these past few months and to feel his spirit and love for the fine young people of the Church. His organizing ability and his penchant for wanting the facts in every situation have projected a program of analysis and study of the great MIA program that will be of great benefit to the MIA and the young people of the Church. Elder Dyer has been active in civic work as well as Church work, having been a member of the Exchange Club of Salt Lake City, and he is still a member of the Missouri Historical Society and the Jackson City Historical Society. Professionally, he is a self-made man, having studied professional work through correspondence courses and getting his education largely through his own efforts. However, he has been successful in business, and is a former member of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, and has been a consultant for the American Military Engineers. Both Elder and Mrs. Dyer are able and enthusiastic and devoted members of the Church; and, because of his vast experience and ability, Elder Dyer will enthusiastically take up the work of his new calling with his usual devoted service to the Church. |
ELDER ALVIN R. DYER
ELDER ALMN R. DYER AND HIS FAMILY
Front row, left to right: Elder Alvin R. Dyer, holding his grandson Mark Klein; May Jackson Dyer. In the center, Gloria Dyer Klein (daughter). Back row, standing, left to right: Reed Klein (son-in-law); Brent Dyer (son). |
"Theirs Was Added Upon." Instructor. January 1959. pg. 12-13.
Theirs Was Added Upon During the October semi-annual general conference, two Church leaders were sustained to new callings. Becoming General Authorities as Assistants to the Council of the Twelve are: William James Critchlow, Jr., and Alvin R. Dyer. That Gospel teachers may know more to tell their students concerning these splendid personalities, here are a few glimpses of them as told by those who knew them well. HE TAUGHT THREE "Fs" WILLIAM J. CRITCHLOW, JR., is a very prayerful and spiritual servant of our Father in heaven. He has said many times that all who are called are entitled to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. To all teachers he gives advice when they accept a teaching position. He defines these as "The Three Fs in Teaching." First, "Find them"—meaning the teacher should find all those who come under his jurisdiction, whether he is called as a ward teacher or as a teacher in an auxiliary organization. After he has found the students, the second F is "Feed them": to teach them the Gospel of our Father in heaven so they can understand the principles and blessings which are theirs. Third, "Follow up," After the students have been found and the teacher has fed them, he follows up to see that everything he has taught them is understood properly; The teacher then checks to see if there are problems, and if the students are living the Gospel of Jesus Christ to insure them happiness here and salvation in our Father's kingdom. —Joseph H. Ray, Chairman, Agriculture Committee, South Ogden Stake. # # # A UNANIMOUS DECISION A BISHOP was being selected for a ward in the South Ogden (Utah) Stake. A discussion among the stake presidency and high council had narrowed the list to three men, but it appeared that a unanimous decision was not going to be reached — each man having about equal support. Stake President William J. Critchlow, Jr., in his usual forthright manner, said, "Now let us see what the Lord thinks about it." As the group knelt in prayer, the one who had been chosen to lead humbly asked the Lord to guide the thinking of the group that the right man might be chosen. After the prayer, this wise stake president requested the stake clerk to pass a slip of paper to each man in the room on which he was to write the name of his choice. When the votes were counted, it was announced that each had voted for the same man. The man so chosen was soon recognized as one of the best bishops in the South Ogden Stake. —Richard J. Kingston, Second counselor, South Ogden Stake presidency. # # # BIRTH OF A PAGEANT DURING his later years as president of South Ogden (Utah) Stake, William J. Critchlow, Jr., became very much concerned about the Saints attending the Ogden Pioneer Days rodeo Sunday night performance. President David O. McKay, also concerned about the problem, asked Elder Critchlow to provide a suitable program to take the place of the Sunday night rodeo. After much thought and prayer, Elder Critchlow approached Roland Parry, music instructor at Weber College, and asked him to compose a suitable pageant portraying the migration of the Saints to Utah. As a result, the pageant, "All Faces West," was written. Since July, 1951, many thousands of people have attended its annual presentation. After no little effort, Igor Gorin, nationally known baritone, was signed to play the role of Brigham Young. Since then, Mr. Gorin many times has expressed his appreciation for the privilege of portraying such a noble character. He now includes such LDS hymns as "Come, Come Ye Saints" in concerts throughout the world, thereby glorifying our Mormon heritage wherever he goes. —Norman H. Anderson, Friend. # # # THE SPIRIT OF ELDER DYER PRIOR to the time the general superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was reorganized in June of 1958, President David O. McKay had indicated that the very best men available be found for the important positions of assistant superintendents. Alvin R. Dyer, Central States Mission president, and G. Carlos Smith, president of Holladay (Utah) Stake, were selected. When Brother Dyer was called in to be interviewed regarding the position, he was asked the amount of time he would be able to dedicate to this work. His answer was immediate and definite: "Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week." "But you have to make a living. What will you live on?" he was asked. "The Lord has been good to me and my family; and we will get along; and I'll get something to do on the side," was his answer. The spirit of Alvin R. Dyer is contained in the scripture, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33.) -Joseph T, Bentley, General Superintendent, YMMIA. # # # MASTERFUL DIRECTION THE remarkable successes of Alvin R. Dyer as president of the Central States Mission will never be forgotten by the Saints in the "Center Place." The tremendous growth of the mission and the vigorous efforts put forth by those called to serve in various capacities can be attributed to his masterful leadership and direction. Having served as his counselor, I was acutely aware of his keen ability as an organizer. His precise planning and singleness of purpose guaranteed success. His great love of the Gospel and insatiable thirst for Church history will always serve as an inspiration. To begin the year 1956, he wrote a message to members of the mission board in which he said: "What is it that causes us to feel that tomorrow will always be better than today? . . . The nobilities of men's lives are seen in the manner in which they pick themselves up and go forward to success. The inherent urge in all good people is to look and work for the better, to meet the challenge of achievement." —Dr. Roland M. Watkins, Jr. First counselor, Central States Mission presidency. # # # PUT THE LORD'S WORK FIRST IN the early years of my parents' marriage, because of financial problems, they decided to move to California. The date for their departure had been set, and all the household effects were packed. Just a day or so before they were to leave, my father received a call to serve in the bishopric of the Fifteenth Ward, Salt Lake Stake. There were uneasy feelings about the matter because of the plans and packing that had been accomplished. Mother and Father talked it over; and, though they did not know at the time things would work out, Father told the brethren that he would accept the call. So they unpacked their things, determined to put the Lord's work first. When Father was set apart as first counselor in the bishopric, he was promised, in a special blessing, that he would never need to worry nor be concerned about employment again; and, that if he would serve the Lord, he would be blessed. Father has prospered in life and has always provided a wonderful home for our family. Since his acceptance of that calling, he has not worried about the physical means of life. —Gloria Dyer Klein. Daughter. |
WILLIAM J. CRITCHLOW, JR.
Relies on the Lord. WILLIAM JAMES CRITCHLOW, JR.
IN both business and church affairs, William J. Critchlow, Jr., has worked his way up "from the bottom." On Oct. 11, 1958, he was sustained as an assistant to the Council of the Twelve. A native of Brigham City, Utah, he was born Apr. 21, 1892, to William James and Anna Gregerson Critchlow. He attended Ogden, Utah, public schools; Weber Academy in Ogden, and did extension work at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He married Anna Marie Taylor of Ogden on Aug. 20, 1924, in the Salt Lake Temple. After several years in superintendencies of ward Sunday Schools and Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in Ogden, Elder Critchlow in 1932 became YMMIA second assistant superintendent for Mt. Ogden Stake. From 1935 to 1941 he was a counselor in the Mt. Ogden Stake presidency and on Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day), he was sustained as the first president of South Ogden Stake, a position he still held at the time he was named one of the Church's General Authorities. With Utah Power and Light Company, Elder Critchlow began in 1912 as a meter reader in Ogden, became chief clerk of the old Utah Light and Traction Company in 1916, served from 1920-30 as credit manager of the utility's Ogden division, was sales manager from 1930-52 and since then has been manager of the firm's business development department in Ogden. Elder Critchlow also has been president of the Ogden Lions Club and vice president of the Credit Bureau of Ogden. He is a member of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce and member of the board of trustees of Dee LDS Hospital in Ogden. He also has held positions in the Ogden Gateway Council, Boy Scouts of America, and with the American Red Cross. Elder and Sister Critchlow have two sons and a daughter: Robert T. and William J. Critchlow III, both residing in Ogden, and Mrs. Datus H. (Patricia) Maughan, Salt Lake City. They also have eight grandchildren. ALVIN R. DYER
Puts Lord's work first. ALVIN R. DYER
ONLY five months a member of the Church's Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association general superintendency, Alvin R. Dyer on Oct. 11, 1958, was sustained as an assistant to the Council of the Twelve. He had been president of the Central States Mission four and one-half years when he was called to the YMMIA position. Previously, from 1949 to 1954, he was bishop of Monument Park Ward in Salt Lake City and for five years prior to that was counselor in the bishopric. He has been a high councilman in Salt Lake Stake, 1933-40, arid Riverside (Salt Lake City) Stake, 1940-41. For seven years he was a counselor in the Fifteenth Ward bishopric of Salt Lake Stake and formerly was Sixteenth Ward (Salt Lake City ) YMMIA superintendent. Elder Dyer was born Jan. 1, 1904, in Salt Lake City to Alfred Robert and Harriet Walsh Dyer. He married May Elizabeth Jackson of Salt Lake City June 2, 1926, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have a daughter, Mrs. Reed (Gloria May) Klein; a son, Brent Rulon Dyer, and one grandson. While on an Eastern States Mission from 1922 to 1924, Elder Dyer for a time was supervising elder of the New York District. After his mission, he completed a correspondence course in mechanical drafting and technical engineering. He was a sheet metal journeyman from 1925 to 1933 and then became manager of the Utah Builder Supply Company's heating and air conditioning department. He organized Dyer Distributing Company in 1949 and continued in business until his call as mission president in 1954. He is a former member of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, serving as a consultant with the latter during World War II. A sports enthusiast, he was pitcher on the West High School baseball team in Salt Lake City and previously pitched the Jackson Junior High School team in Salt Lake City to two championships. |
"Elder Alvin R. Dyer Sustained as an Apostle." Relief Society Magazine, December 1967: pg. 896.
Elder Alvin R. Dyer Sustained as an Apostle Elder Alvin R. Dyer, an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve since 1958, was sustained as an apostle on the first day of the 137th Semi-annual General Conference of the Church, September 30, 1967. He has been active in the Church since early youth and has held many positions of responsibility. In 1954, he was called to preside over the Central States Mission, where he served until his call to the General Superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in June 1958. Soon after his appointment as an Assistant to the Twelve, he was assigned to preside over the European Mission (1960-1962). Elder Dyer was married to May Elizabeth Jackson in the Salt Lake Temple. They have two children, Gloria May Dyer Klein and Brent Rulon Dyer, and four grandchildren. In addressing the saints, Elder Dyer spoke with emotion and sincerity of his family and his devotion to the gospel: At this time my feelings concern most deeply my tried and true and most wonderful companion for time and for all eternity, my dear wife and sweetheart. Together, we have shared many years of service in the work of the Master. . . . I know only partially now at the present time what holding the apostleship in my case will entail upon me. I know, of course, that the Lord has made known that an apostle is to contend against none but the church of evil, to take upon himself the name of Christ and speak the truth in soberness, and to be a witness, a special witness for Jesus Christ in the world. But it matters not as to its entirety, for I am committed to serve the President of the High Priesthood, whom we call the President of the Church. He is the one declared by the Lord to be like unto Moses, to preside over the whole Church, and there is only one appointed to this high and holy position upon the earth at one time. I know with all my soul that President McKay is that servant of God upon the earth today. |
"Elder Alvin R. Dyer Made a Counselor in the First Presidency." Relief Society Magazine, June 1968: pg. 407.
Elder Alvin R. Dyer Made a Counselor to the First Presidency At the Saturday morning session of the 138th Annual General Conference, April 6, 1968, Elder Alvin R. Dyer was sustained as a Counselor to the First Presidency of the Church. President Dyer was sustained as an apostle at the 137th Semi- Annual General Conference of the Church in October, 1967. He was an Assistant to the Twelve at that time. He became a General Authority in October 1958. He has served the Church in the missionary program for many years. He served a mission in the Eastern States, where he was a supervising elder. He then presided over the Central States Mission and, later, over the European Mission. President Dyer is married to the former May Elizabeth Jackson, and they have two children and four grandchildren. He is the author of a number of books which aid the missionary program. He has a great interest in -the youth, having served in the General Superintendency of the YMMIA, prior to his call as an Assistant to the Twelve. |