This biographical sketch adapted from the "News
of the Church: Elder Ronald T. Halverson of the Seventy" in the Ensign,
May 1998.
“I have been very blessed to see the hand of the
Lord in my life,” says Elder Ronald T. Halverson, “and I have learned that
the gospel brings happiness and joy when you are obedient.”
Born on 18 December 1936 in Ogden, Utah, to Marlowe
and Hilda Tomlinson Halverson, Ronald was the third in a family of four
boys. He grew up in Ogden and attended Weber State College, where he met
Linda Kay Jensen, of Hooper, Utah. In
1957-59, he served in the Oslo Norway Mission. After his mission, while
attending the University of Utah, he and Linda married in the Salt Lake
Temple on 13 October 1960. They are the parents of five children—four boys and one girl.
Upon leaving the University of Utah, he worked at
his father’s company, Marlowe Plumbing and Heating. He quickly discovered
that he had an ability in business, and eventually he and his brother started
three companies: Halverson Mechanical, Inc.; H&H Mechanical, Inc.;
and RHYCO, Inc.
Active in politics, Elder Halverson served for a
total of 16 years (1966-82) in the Utah State Legislature in both the House
and Senate. He has also served for nearly 10 years as chairman of the State
Building Board and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Weber State
College.
The Halverson family enjoy vigorous outdoor sports
and activities, such as skiing, snowmobiling, desert biking, fishing, and
hunting. They also raise and train horses.
Elder Halverson has fulfilled Church callings with
a vitality for which he is known in his personal and professional life.
He has served as a stake president and counselor, regional representative,
president of the Oslo Norway Mission 1990-93, and member of the Fifth Quorum
of the Seventy serving in the Utah North Area.
“My testimony grew line upon line, precept upon precept,”
says Elder Halverson, “and I have been privileged over the years to have
personal spiritual experiences. My testimony is very strong that Jesus
is the Christ and that it is only through him that we
can return to the presence of the Father.”
In October 2006 , Elder Halverson was extended an honorable release and given a vote of thanks from a grateful Church in General Conference assembled.
