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Former Head of PR for LDS Church to Speak at Devotional Jan. 6
Bruce L. Olsen, former managing director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Christine, will give devotional addresses on Friday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. in the Stoddard Center at Southern Virginia University.
The Olsens were released last month as president and matron of the San Diego California Temple, where they served for three years.
Prior to his call to serve as a temple president, Bruce Olsen oversaw the LDS Public Affairs Department for nearly 20 years. His assignment included the direction of worldwide offices in eleven countries and domestic offices in Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles. He was responsible for government affairs, community relations, and interfaith and media relations programs. He also worked at Brigham Young University in a variety of positions, including assistant to the president for university relations, and as an associate professor in the department of communications.
He received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from BYU, and served as president of its 370,000-member alumni association.
He has served in the Church in numerous positions including, high councilor, bishop, stake president and member of the Young Men General Board.
Christine Olsen received a bachelor’s degree from BYU and worked as a registered nurse. Among her church assignments she has served in stake relief society presidencies three times, as a stake young women president, and as a member of the Young Women General Board.
Together, the Olsens presided over the Massachusetts Boston Mission from 1982 to 1985. They have five children and 14 grandchildren.
Community members and Southern Virginia faculty, staff and students are invited to hear forum and devotional speakers each Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the Stoddard Center. Recordings of past forum and devotional speeches may be accessed online.