Richard L. Evans

Template:Latter Day Saint biography/Richard L. Evans Richard Louis Evans (March 23, 1906 – November 1, 1971) was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) (1953–71); the president of Rotary International (1966–67); and the writer, producer, and announcer of Music and the Spoken Word for forty-one years (1929–71).

Evans was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Utah. There, he joined Pi Kappa Alpha. He may have been best known as the announcer for the weekly Mormon Tabernacle Choir radio broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word: every week, he wrote, produced, and announced the radio broadcasts, including a short inspirational message. Evans's weekly broadcasts spanned from its inception in 1929 until his death in 1971.

Evans's voice was familiar to Latter-day Saints as the narrator of various church productions, most notably Man's Search for Happiness. He also introduced the Salt Lake City choir's contribution to Bing Crosby's annual "Christmas Sing with Bing" radio broadcasts during the 1950s, and is heard on the 1956 Decca LP of the same name, which featured the previous year's "Christmas Sing" edition.

Evans was ordained an apostle on October 8, 1953, following the death of Albert E. Bowen.

Evans was the last LDS Church apostle to sport facial hair while in office, wearing a neatly trimmed mustache until the mid-1960s.

Evans died at age 65 on November 1, 1971. The vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from his death was filled by Marvin J. Ashton. Evans was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.

Grave marker of Richard L. Evans (front).

Grave marker of Richard L. Evans (back).

Published works

• Evans, Richard L. (1937). A century of "Mormonism" in Great Britain. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press. LCCN 38030638. OCLC 4322064. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |authormask= (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1940). Unto the Hills. New York, London: Harper & Brothers. LCCN 40008173. OCLC 3189422. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1942). This day...and always. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 42050833. OCLC 3189434. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1945). ...and "The Spoken Word". Harper & Brothers. LCCN 45006083. OCLC 1439410. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1949). At this same hour. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 49009729. OCLC 1439435. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1952). Tonic for our times. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 52012774. OCLC 444780. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1955). From the crossroads. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 55009688. OCLC 3068520. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Richards, LeGrand; et al. (1955). The Ten Commandments today: a discussion of the decalog. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. OCLC 55056948.
• Evans, Richard L. (1957). The Everlasting Things. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 57010532. OCLC 2489723. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |authormask= (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1959). From within these walls. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 59014531. OCLC 1245208. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1961). May peace be with you. Harper & Brothers. LCCN 61013283. OCLC 13961602. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1963). Faith in the future. New York: Harper & Row. LCCN 63021589. OCLC 2503657. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1966). Faith, Peace and Purpose. Cleveland: World Publishing Corporation. LCCN 66025880. OCLC 914294. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1966). Thoughts for 100 Days Vol. I. Salt Lake City: Publishers Press. LCCN 86220105. OCLC 3724643. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1967). An Open Door (Vol. II Thoughts for 100 Days). Publishers Press. OCLC 22013438. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1968). An Open Road (Vol. III Thoughts for 100 Days). Publishers Press. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1970). Thoughts for 100 Days Vol. IV. Publishers Press. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1972). Thoughts for 100 Days Vol. V. Publishers Press. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1984) [1937]. A century of "Mormonism" in Great Britain. Publishers Press. ISBN 978-0-916095-07-9. OCLC 11642406. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L. (1984) [1971]. Richard Evans' quote book. Publishers Press. LCCN 86186298. OCLC 13960823. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
• Evans, Richard L.; Kinard, J. Spencer; Newell, Lloyd D. (2003). Messages from Music and the Spoken Word. Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain. ISBN 978-1-57008-961-9. LCCN 2003008844. OCLC 52091978. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)

References

• Evans, Richard L., Jr. (1973). Richard L. Evans: The Man and the Message. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft. ASIN B0006CA03E. OCLC 790539.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Hanks, Marion D. (December 1971). "Elder Richard L. Evans: Apostle of the Lord (1906–1971)". Ensign. LDS Church: 32.
• "Funeral Services for Elder Richard L. Evans". Ensign. LDS Church. December 1971.