David A. Bednar

David A. Bednar – Life, Career, and Spiritual Insights

Explore the life of David A. Bednar (b. June 15, 1952), American religious leader and educator. Learn about his journey in academia, service in the LDS Church, his teachings, and his lasting influence.

Introduction

David Allan Bednar is a prominent leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 2004. His life combines rigorous scholarship, faith commitment, institutional leadership, and spiritual teaching.

In this article, we trace his early life, education, ecclesiastical service, contributions, personality, teachings, and the lessons his journey offers.

Early Life and Family

David A. Bednar was born on June 15, 1952, in Oakland, California (or San Leandro, in the East Bay area) to Anthony George Bednar and Lavina Whitney Bednar.

Bednar grew up helping in his family’s life, including tasks like working with his mother preserving produce and contributing in modest ways.

A notable family story: during his missionary years, Bednar wrote to his father asking when he would be baptized. Years later, his father arranged for David to come and baptize him. This deeply personal moment illustrates the blending of family, faith, and service in his life.

Bednar married Susan Kae Robinson on March 20, 1975, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Education and Early Career

Missionary Service

Shortly after his youth, Bednar served a full-time mission for the LDS Church in Southern Germany (the South German Mission). This experience contributed to his testimony, teaching style, leadership skills, and intercultural perspective.

Academic Studies

After returning from his mission, Bednar pursued higher education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Brigham Young University (BYU), 1976

• Master’s in Organizational Communication, BYU, 1977

• PhD in Organizational Behavior, Purdue University, 1980

His academic background informed both his administrative roles and his approach to teaching, leadership, and organizational growth.

Academic and Administrative Roles

After completing his doctorate, Bednar embarked on a career in academia and leadership:

• 1980–1984: Assistant Professor of Management, University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)

• 1984–1986: Assistant Professor of Management, Texas Tech University

• 1987–1992: Return to University of Arkansas, as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, College of Business Administration

• 1992–1997: Director of the Management Decision-Making Lab, University of Arkansas

In 1997, he assumed the presidency of Ricks College (later transitioned to BYU-Idaho).

Church Service & Apostleship

Early Church Leadership

Before his call as apostle, Bednar held many ecclesiastical leadership positions:

• Bishop (local congregation level)

• Stake President (twice)

• Regional Representative

• Area Authority / Area Seventy

These roles allowed him to influence congregations, mentor other leaders, and contribute to church policy and direction.

Call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

On October 2, 2004, Bednar was sustained by church members as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. October 7, 2004, by then-President Gordon B. Hinckley.

At 52 years old, he was the youngest man called to that body since Dallin H. Oaks in 1984. prophet, seer, and revelator, with worldwide ecclesiastical responsibilities.

In his church leadership role, he participates in teaching, policy decisions, temple dedications, ministry tours, general conference addresses, and global church oversight.

Major Contributions & Writings

Institutional Leadership

One of Bednar’s notable achievements was guiding Ricks College’s evolution into a four-year institution, BYU-Idaho, setting the academic and structural foundations for that transformation. His administrative and instructional background equipped him to navigate the educational, financial, and organizational challenges of such a shift.

Scholarly and Educational Works

Bednar has authored and co-authored works in both secular and religious domains. Some of his notable contributions include:

• Organizational Behavior: Understanding and Managing People at Work (co-author)

• Increase in Learning (religious work)

• Act in Doctrine

• Power to Become: Spiritual Patterns for Pressing Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ

• One by One

He has also published academic journal articles in areas like communication, quality theory, organizational change, decision making, and managerial style.

Through sermons, conference addresses, devotional talks, and publications, Bednar often emphasizes principles of discipleship, scripture study, personal responsibility, and spiritual growth.

Personality & Style

From public speeches, writings, and accounts, several traits characterize Bednar’s approach:

• Intellectual and reflective: His educational background gives him a thoughtful, structured approach to doctrine and leadership.

• Devoted to scripture: Bednar often emphasizes the centrality of the scriptures, encouraging members to “hold up” their faith through God’s word.

• Humility and service mindset: He often frames leadership in terms of service and reliance on divine power rather than personal ego.

• Clarity and conviction: His speeches tend toward clear, direct statements of doctrine, with exhortation and testimony.

• Optimism and faith: He encourages enduring faith, trusting in the “strength of the Lord” in difficult times.

• Persistence: Throughout his academic, ecclesiastical, and family life, he demonstrates long-term commitment.

However, like many religious leaders, he has faced scrutiny on public statements. For example, in 2016 he made a comment that “there are no homosexual members of the church,” which drew controversy concerning his views on sexuality and identity.

Notable Teachings & Themes

Some recurring themes in Bednar’s teachings include:

• Scripture as foundation: He encourages frequent and deep study of the scriptures as spiritual tools.

• Personal responsibility and agency: Each person is encouraged to act, not passively wait.

• Faith in Christ and grace: He teaches that through Christ’s Atonement, one can receive strength beyond self.

• Enduring trials with hope: He often speaks about enduring difficulties, trusting divine timing, and persevering.

• Conversion and discipleship: Growth is not static, but ongoing.

• Unity with doctrine and practice: He stresses that belief must be lived—thought, speech, and action aligned.

In his speeches and written works, he often weaves in metaphors, doctrine, personal stories, and challenges to the audience to act.

Lessons from Bednar’s Life

1. Education and faith can enrich each other
   Bednar’s academic training did not detract from his religious service; rather, it sharpened his capacity to teach and administer.

2. Leadership is service more than authority
   His trajectory—from professor to university president to apostle—shows that spiritual leadership often demands humility and servant posture.

3. Family and faith matter
   The story of baptizing his father underscores that personal and familial faith journeys intersect deeply with public ministry.

4. Growth often involves transitions
   He moved across roles—missionary, professor, dean, college president, apostle—each requiring adaptation, learning, and sacrifice.

5. Clarity, conviction, and consistency are powerful
   His reputation rests partly on presenting doctrine clearly, teaching consistently, and standing by convictions.

6. Resilience in public scrutiny
   As a religious leader, public statements are subject to critique; humility and willingness to clarify matter.

Conclusion

David A. Bednar’s life is an exemplar of blending scholarship, devotion, service, and spiritual leadership. From his upbringing in California, missionary service in Germany, academic career in universities, to guiding an educational institution and then serving as an apostle, his journey spans many realms. His emphasis on scripture, personal responsibility, faith, and humility mark his teachings.