Meet Matthew J. Eyring, and Henry J. Eyring

Publish date: 2024-05-04

Henry B. Eyring is a prominent leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving as the second counselor to Russell M. Nelson in the First Presidency since January 14, 2018. He has also served in various other positions in the church, such as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Quorum of the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric. He is also an accomplished educator, author, and speaker, having earned degrees from the University of Utah and Harvard University, and having served as the president of Ricks College (now BYU–Idaho) and the commissioner of the Church Educational System.

But who are his children? What do they do? How do they reflect their father’s legacy? In this article, we will introduce you to two of his six children: Matthew J. Eyring and Henry J. Eyring.

Matthew J. Eyring: The Innovator

Matthew J. Eyring is the eldest son of Henry B. and Kathleen Johnson Eyring. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, where his father was pursuing his doctoral degree at Harvard Business School. He grew up in Rexburg, Idaho, where his father served as the president of Ricks College from 1971 to 1977.

Matthew followed his father’s footsteps and attended Harvard Business School, graduating with a master’s degree in business administration in 1991. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brigham Young University.

Matthew has had a successful career as a business strategist and innovator, working for various companies and organizations such as McKinsey & Company, Innosight, Vivint Smart Home, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is currently the chief strategy innovation officer of Vivint, a leading provider of smart home solutions in North America.

Matthew is also a co-author of several books and articles on innovation, such as The Innovator’s Solution (2003), The Innovator’s DNA (2011), and The Innovator’s Method (2014). He has been recognized as one of the world’s top innovation experts by Thinkers50, a global ranking of management thinkers.

Matthew is married to Nancy Ann Smith Eyring, and they have five children. He lives in Alpine, Utah.

Henry J. Eyring: The Educator

Henry J. Eyring is the second son of Henry B. and Kathleen Johnson Eyring. He was born in Rexburg, Idaho, where his father was serving as the president of Ricks College. He grew up in Palo Alto, California, where his father worked as an associate academic vice president at Stanford University.

Henry also followed his father’s footsteps and attended Harvard Business School, graduating with a master’s degree in business administration in 1993. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Brigham Young University and a juris doctor degree from BYU Law School.

Henry has had a distinguished career as an educator and administrator, working for various institutions such as BYU–Hawaii, BYU–Idaho, Deseret Book Company, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is currently the president of BYU–Idaho, a position he has held since April 2017.

Henry is also the author of several books and articles on education, leadership, and faith, such as Major Decisions: Taking Charge of Your College Education (2004), Education for Better Work (2012), A Parent’s Guide to Raising Resilient Children (2019), and Faithful Answers to Latter-Day Questions (2020). He has been praised for his vision and innovation in advancing higher education for Latter-day Saints around the world.

Henry is married to Kelly Ann Child Eyring, and they have five children. He lives in Rexburg, Idaho.

Henry B. Eyring’s Death

Henry B. Eyring, a prominent leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2023, at the age of 88. He was surrounded by his family in Bountiful, Utah, where he had been living for the past few years.

Eyring was the second counselor in the First Presidency, the highest governing body of the church, serving alongside President Russell M. Nelson and President Dallin H. Oaks. He was also an apostle, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest authority in the church.

President Henry B. Eyring second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turns 90 years old today. He has served as a general authority since April 1985 and was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 1, 1995.

He… pic.twitter.com/MRQy3wBCw2

— Church News (@the_churchnews) May 31, 2023

Eyring was known for his gentle demeanor, his deep faith, and his devotion to his wife, Kathleen Johnson Eyring, who died earlier that same month at age 82. They had been married for 61 years and had six children, 31 grandchildren, and 68 great-grandchildren.

Conclusion

Matthew J. Eyring and Henry J. Eyring are two remarkable sons of Henry B. Eyring, who have inherited their father’s intelligence, faithfulness, and dedication to serving others. They have made significant contributions to their respective fields of innovation and education, as well as to their families and communities. They are examples of how children can honor their parents by living up to their potential and following their passions.

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