Theodore M. Burton
Born: 27 March 1907
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 8 October 1960
Called to First Quorum of the Seventy: 1 October 1976
Became Emeritus General Authority: 30 September 1989
Died: 22 December 1989
Called as Assistant to the Twelve: 8 October 1960
Called to First Quorum of the Seventy: 1 October 1976
Became Emeritus General Authority: 30 September 1989
Died: 22 December 1989
Talks on Church WebsiteApr 1971 - Kingdom of God
Oct 1971 - "Thus Saith the Lord" Apr 1972 - Salvation and Exaltation Oct 1972 - Genealogy: A Personal Responsibility Oct 1973 - The Need for Total Commitment Apr 1974 - The Power of Elijah Oct 1974 - "Blessed Are the Peacemakers" Apr 1975 - Salvation for the Dead--A Missionary Activity Apr 1976 - The Word of Wisdom Apr 1977 - Neither Cryptic Nor Hidden Apr 1979 - The Need for Love Apr 1981 - Light and Truth Apr 1983 - To Forgive is Divine Oct 1985 - Let Mercy Temper Justice Image source: Improvement Era, January 1961
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Image source: Relief Society Magazine, December 1960
Image source: Improvement Era, January 1961
Image source: Improvement Era, November 1967
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Biographical Articles
Relief Society Magazine, December 1960, Theodore Moyle Burton Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Improvement Era, January 1961, Elder Theodore M. Burton
Improvement Era, November 1967, Elder Theodore M. Burton Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Ensign, March 1990, Elder Theodore M. Burton Dies
Improvement Era, January 1961, Elder Theodore M. Burton
Improvement Era, November 1967, Elder Theodore M. Burton Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
Ensign, March 1990, Elder Theodore M. Burton Dies
Hinckley, Gordon B. "Theodore Moyle Burton Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve." Relief Society Magazine. December 1960. pg. 807-809.
Theodore Moyle Burton Appointed Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Elder Gordon B. Hinckley Assistant to the Council of the Twelve PROUD of his heritage, faithful to his birthright, unflagging in his testimony, and unwavering in his devotion, Theodore Moyle Burton joins the ranks of the General Authorities of the Church as a man with a great inheritance and a record of service and accomplishment. Determined to be a specialist in the field of chemistry, he has repeatedly left his chosen work at the call of the Church and has performed notably in every assignment given him. He could do little else. His faith is built on the faith of his forebears who sailed the oceans and walked the plains to gather to Zion. Numbered among them are some of the great pioneers of the Mormon exodus. Most of them were quiet people whose works have gone unsung, but that they were men and women of faith, resourcefulness, and courage can never be contested. Theodore M. Burton was born in Salt Lake City, March 27, 1907, a son of Theodore Taylor and Florence Moyle Burton. He attended the Salt Lake City public schools and the University of Utah. From this latter institution he was graduated in June of 1932. He had interrupted his university education to labor in the Swiss-German Mission from 1927 to 1930. The responsibilities there given him are a testimony of his faithfulness. During his mission he served as branch president in Bern, Switzerland, and Altona, Germany, and later as district president in the Schleswig- Holstein District. On February 23, 1933, he married his childhood sweetheart, Minnie Preece, in the Salt Lake Temple. At the time he was working as Assistant Salt Lake City Bacteriologist and M.I.A. Superintendent in his home ward. He also was doing work on his Master's Degree which was received from the University of Utah in June of 1934. With fluency in the use of the German language, he secured employment as Technical Assistant to the United States Treasury Attache in Vienna, Austria. He served there from 1934 to 1937 and then took the same post in Berlin, Germany, for another year. From 1941 to 1943 he was instructor in chemistry, physics, and mathematics at Carbon College in Price, Utah. Then in 1943 he moved to Logan to begin a teaching career at Utah State University. He has there served as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor of Chemistry. In 1950 he took leave to accept a Westinghouse Electric Research Fellowship at Purdue University where he received his Ph.D. degree in June of 1951. Six years later Dr. Burton interrupted his professional career at the call of the Church to preside over the West German Mission. Few realize the extent of his tremendous burdens in this post. During most of his tenure he had responsibility for what are now both the West German and the South German Missions and also a number of activities now centered in the European Mission office. During the major period of his presidency he not only looked after the proselyting program and administrative duties of this large mission, but also had responsibility for the very extensive servicemen’s program in Europe, administration of an old folk s home, and carried the task of getting into print all publications used in the German-speaking missions of Europe, including a monthly periodical, Der Sterne. His previous training as Sunday School teacher, Scoutmaster, Sunday School superintendent, Bishop of the Cache Fourth Ward, High Councilman in the Cache Stake, and President of the Cache Stake High Priests Quorum had equipped him for these burdensome Church assignments. His wife, who had served as ward Relief Society President, was likewise well schooled for her work as mission Relief Society president. He returned to Logan this past summer to resume his teaching, only to be called again from the classroom to the ministry, this time as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, He brings to this new calling qualities cultivated and developed through lone experience. His meticulous attention to detail and his educated curiosity, hallmarks of the scientist, coupled with warmth of personality and an unshakable testimony of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and his restored Gospel, equip him for the high and sacred responsibility which now rests upon him. |
Courtesy the Deseret News
ELDER THEODORE MOYLE BURTON Courtesy, Church Section, the Deseret News
ELDER THEODORE MOYLE BURTON AND HIS FAMILY Left to right: Elder Theodore Movie Burton; Minnie Susan Preece Burton; Robert Preece Burton. |
Middleton, Patricia. "Elder Theodore M. Burton." Improvement Era. January 1961. pg. 23, 59.
Fishers of Men ELDER THEODORE M. BURTON BY PATRICIA MIDDLETON EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE A humble, unassuming man, Elder Theodore M. Burton, new Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, does not hesitate to acknowledge his recently acquired responsibility as "frightening." He has just returned from the West German Mission where he served as president for the past three years. Saints and missionaries alike have sat enthralled in meetings where he presided and listened to him bear powerful testimony of the gospel to the peoples of the West German Mission. During one of those meetings— a farewell address—he told them that it did not matter what type of responsibility one held in the Church, just so one had a job and did it well. Elder Burton was prepared to return to his home ward in the East Cache Stake and "accept a job teaching Sunday School, or ward teaching—anything the Church would have him do." As he spoke, one missionary turned to his companion who was also giving undivided attention to Elder Burton's remarks, and was overheard to say: "We know where he's going." Elder Burton, evidently, did not. However, the feeling was prevalent throughout the mission, that he would continue to serve the Lord in even greater capacities, shortly after his release. But he admits he had not dreamed that such a responsible calling awaited him from the headquarters of the Church. In reference to his new calling, he maintains that "little men are made big enough" to do whatever the Lord wants them to do. This is his firm belief. "When the Lord has a special job for us or a mission for us to perform, he will magnify us and make us strong enough to carry out his work." This was proved to him during the time he served as bishop of the Logan Fourth Ward of Cache Stake, "one of the most humbling experiences" of his life. "The work was beyond my capacity, but I did things then that I could never have done before. I am convinced that the mantle of authority is real, not imaginary. I have talked with other bishops, and all bear similar testimonies." Elder Burton's life story might open as does that of Nephi: ". . . having been born of goodly parents, . . . "For I am what I am because of them. And I am greatly aware of the inspiration and guidance my parents gave to me in my home." He was born in Salt Lake City, March 27, 1907, a son of Theodore Taylor and Florence Moyle Burton. "From the time I can first remember, my parents took us children with them wherever they went. I went with my father on high council assignments, and he always made it a point to preach on my level so I could understand him. My brothers and I played musical instruments, and he would take us with him to furnish the music at meetings. Later in life, my musical ability helped in earning money to get an education and to send me on a mission. Father and Mother provided the opportunities and taught us the gospel by living it in the home." Many people often refer to a particular event or single out one faith-promoting experience in their lives upon which they have built their faith. And they may call it to memory on occasions to bolster their faith. But to Elder Burton, his faith was built on knowledge learned "line upon line," a series of "little things" that accumulated through the years, "piling one on top of another," that enabled him to acquire a strong conviction of the truth of the doctrines of the restored Church and an unwavering testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ. "I am also what I am because of the support and encouragement my wife has given me." He was married in the Salt Lake Temple, February 23, 1933, to Minnie Susan Preece. They have one son, Robert Preece Burton, fourteen. He likes to recall an experience his mother-in-law told him. Mrs. Preece, he believes, is living proof that the old tales people tell about troublesome mothers-in-law are "just not true." When her daughter Minnie and Theodore were in the first grade, Mrs. Preece watched them walk together through the classroom door on registration day and was impressed with the thought that young Theodore would one day become her son-in-law. As professor in the Department of Chemistry at Utah State University, where he has taught since 1943, Elder Burton strongly believes that his studies in the field of chemistry have helped him to become more sensitive to God's laws: "Whether teaching chemistry or the principles of the gospel, the same fundamental laws apply in the experimental laboratory or in the daily living of gospel ideals, if we follow scrupulously the law we reach desired ends. Failure to follow the laws of science or the laws of God results in disappointment. "My testimony has been strengthened because in science I was trained to see order. Though fallacies may arise in a scientist's judgment, he must make decisions which are sometimes wrong. In science wrong theories can lead to a discovery of truth by testing those theories. In our religion God gives us infallible truth which we can prove to ourselves by applying it to our lives." After graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, the new Assistant to the Twelve attended the University of Utah, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in 1932 and an M.A. degree in 1934. He received his Ph.D. degree from Purdue University in June 1951. He has received recognition as a member of several scholastic fraternities, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Xi, and Alpha Epsilon Delta, and also served as chairman of the Utah Section of the American Chemical Society and as a past president of the American Association of University Professors, Utah State University Chapter. Elder Burton, who writes music for pleasure, composed the USU school Alma Mater Hymn. Prior to his position at the University, he taught chemistry, physics, and mathematics at the Carbon Junior College in Price, Utah. From 1932 to 1934 he was Salt Lake City's assistant city bacteriologist, then he became technical assistant to the United States Treasury attache, US Treasury Department in Vienna, Austria and in Berlin, Germany. The new General Authority filled a mission to the Swiss-German Mission from 1927 to 1930 during which he was branch president in Bern, Switzerland, and Altona, Germany, and president of the Schleswig-Holstein District. He accepted the mission call with considerable anxiety, being frightened at the thought of living among the then called "Huns." Since he was reared during World War I, he had acquired many preconceived notions about this people which were wrong. He learned many lessons from the German people. "They are good, strong Latter-day Saints. They are good leaders— a determined people, highly intelligent— and have the blood of Ephraim in their veins. They made a remarkable recovery after the second world war. If we refuse to take our voting seriously, the same thing could happen to us as happened to them. We must take our responsibility seriously— fighting for freedom at all times." In due time, Elder Burton, along with the other new Assistants to the Twelve, will become familiar with every clear-cut duty and intricate detail of the work. But their most important duty is the covenant each has made to bear testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Elder Burton bore solemn witness to that effect to the Latter-day Saints during October 1960 general conference on Saturday morning: "President Mc- Kay told me that my responsibility would be principally to bear witness to the divinity of Jesus Christ, and this I can do from the bottom of my heart. I do know that Jesus is the Christ. I have covenanted with him to be his son. I have covenanted to bear that name, and I pray that I might always bear it honorably, that I might never do anything to bring dishonor to that glorious name." |
Elder Theodore M. Burton
Elder and Mrs. Theodore M. Burton with their son, Robert.
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"Elder Theodore M. Burton Assistant to the Council of the Twelve." Improvement Era. November 1967. pg. 50.
THEODORE M. BURTON Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
A colleague in the Genealogical Society, where Elder Theodore M. Burton serves as vice-president as well as managing director of the Priesthood Genealogy Committee, describes Elder Burton as a humble man "of honesty, love, dedication, and uncompromising loyalty to the gospel and its principles."
Elder Burton developed these qualities early in his life. He was born March 27, 1907, and his parents, Theodore Taylor and Florence Moyle Burton, encouraged him to work from the time he was 12 years old. Of them Elder Burton has said, "They provided the opportunities and taught the gospel by setting an example and living it in our home in Salt Lake City."
He successfully completed his education, receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Purdue University. From 1932 to 1934 he was assistant bacteriologist for Salt Lake City. Later he was a popular teacher of chemistry at Carbon College in Price, Utah, and then at Utah State University, Logan.
Elder Burton believes that his studies in science have helped him to become more sensitive to God's laws. "My testimony has been strengthened, because in science I was trained to see order. In our religion, God gives us infallible truth that we can prove to ourselves by applying it to our lives."
From 1927-30 Elder Burton served as a missionary in the Swiss-German Mission. He later served as bishop and high councilor in Logan. In 1957 he returned to Europe to preside over the West German Mission. Accompanying him were his wife, Minnie Preece Burton, whom he married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 23, 1933, and his son, Robert, who has since fulfilled a mission in Switzerland. Before becoming European Mission president in 1962, Elder Burton was set apart as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve on October 9, 1960. In June 1965, he became the West European Mission supervisor.
Theodore Burton has said, "In the next world the question will not be how many positions did you hold, but how many people did you help"; and in reference to his work with genealogy he has said, "What Jesus did was done as an example to show us how we too could serve others through our own^ work and sacrifice. In our vicarious work for the salvation of our dead, we do follow our Lord and Savior and become saviors ourselves for those who cannot save themselves."
These are not mere words for Elder Burton, but rather principles he puts into action. It has been said of him that "he has sworn his loyalty to the kingdom!"
THEODORE M. BURTON Assistant to the Council of the Twelve
A colleague in the Genealogical Society, where Elder Theodore M. Burton serves as vice-president as well as managing director of the Priesthood Genealogy Committee, describes Elder Burton as a humble man "of honesty, love, dedication, and uncompromising loyalty to the gospel and its principles."
Elder Burton developed these qualities early in his life. He was born March 27, 1907, and his parents, Theodore Taylor and Florence Moyle Burton, encouraged him to work from the time he was 12 years old. Of them Elder Burton has said, "They provided the opportunities and taught the gospel by setting an example and living it in our home in Salt Lake City."
He successfully completed his education, receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Purdue University. From 1932 to 1934 he was assistant bacteriologist for Salt Lake City. Later he was a popular teacher of chemistry at Carbon College in Price, Utah, and then at Utah State University, Logan.
Elder Burton believes that his studies in science have helped him to become more sensitive to God's laws. "My testimony has been strengthened, because in science I was trained to see order. In our religion, God gives us infallible truth that we can prove to ourselves by applying it to our lives."
From 1927-30 Elder Burton served as a missionary in the Swiss-German Mission. He later served as bishop and high councilor in Logan. In 1957 he returned to Europe to preside over the West German Mission. Accompanying him were his wife, Minnie Preece Burton, whom he married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 23, 1933, and his son, Robert, who has since fulfilled a mission in Switzerland. Before becoming European Mission president in 1962, Elder Burton was set apart as an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve on October 9, 1960. In June 1965, he became the West European Mission supervisor.
Theodore Burton has said, "In the next world the question will not be how many positions did you hold, but how many people did you help"; and in reference to his work with genealogy he has said, "What Jesus did was done as an example to show us how we too could serve others through our own^ work and sacrifice. In our vicarious work for the salvation of our dead, we do follow our Lord and Savior and become saviors ourselves for those who cannot save themselves."
These are not mere words for Elder Burton, but rather principles he puts into action. It has been said of him that "he has sworn his loyalty to the kingdom!"