Like many missionaries, the young Elder found his mission a life-changing watershed in his life. "The gospel came into focus for me during that time. I was brought up a member of the Church, but while serving a mission I learned the practical aspects of the gospel, as well as the spiritual aspects." He would be called upon to fully utilize both the practical and the spiritual aspects of the Gospel throughout his life but especially years
later when he was called as a General Authority.
Dallas Nielsen Archibald was born
Those practical aspects have come in handy as Brother
Archibald’s career has taken him and his family—his wife, Linda Ritchie,
and his daughter, Teri—to Japan, the Philippines, Canada, Puerto Rico,
South Africa, Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, Brazil, and several different states
in the United States.
“Every time we move, our first step is to find the
church and get involved,” Sister Archibald says. “We can move from one
area to another and be immediately accepted by members of the Church.”
That church involvement has kept Elder Archibald
busy; he has served as bishop, stake president, regional representative,
and mission president.
Born 24 July 1938 in Logan, Utah, Dallas grew up
in Ogden, where he returned after his mission. He met Linda in Ogden, and
after they were married he served a four-year stint in the Coast Guard.
Then the Archibalds returned to Ogden, where Elder Archibald received a
bachelor’s degree from Weber State University. He has also
earned a master’s degree in international management.
Elder Archibald’s philosophy on life includes the
elements of work, progress, and commitment.
“Individuals need to have an eternal perspective
and find the motivation that is necessary to bring their life into harmony
with gospel principles,” he explains.
“The true motivation in our lives comes through Jesus
Christ and the power of the Atonement. Once we understand that, the eternities
are open to us and we move forward, using our own agency to obtain salvation.”
On October 3, 1996, four years after being called to the Seventy, Elder Archibald was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy. He died in a fishing accident on December 14, 1998.
