Devin G. Durrant: “Teach in the Savior's Way”
Contributed By By Jason Swensen, LDS Church News
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When Devin G. Durrant was called on April 5 as the Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, it’s certain many Church members flashed back to his glory days in a BYU basketball jersey.
Sports, of course, have played an important role in Brother Durrant’s life. He even spent a season competing in the NBA against the world’s top players. But basketball has never defined this lifelong member. Yes, he was a star athlete—but he’s been much more: a missionary, a husband, a father, a grandfather, an author, a businessman, a faithful member, and, for the past two and a half years, the president to the elders and sisters serving in the Texas Dallas Mission.
Devin G. Durrant
Brother Durrant, 53, will tell you his childhood home played a pivotal role in preparing him for each of those life roles. His parents, George and Marilyn Durrant, were both gifted teachers.
“Certainly, they taught through their words—but really, the great teachings that I experienced in the home were by watching them live their lives—how they interacted with other people and how they cared for and loved us as children.
Brother Durrant and his wife, Julie, know well the importance of strong teachers in preparing future missionaries.
“[Future missionaries] are being well taught by their parents in the home and by their teachers at church and in excellent seminary and institute programs.”
The Sunday School program, he added, allows instructors and students of all ages “to teach in the Savior’s way.”
Brother and Sister Durrant were married in the temple on April 23, 1983, and are the parents of six children and have six grandchildren.
Prior to his calling as a mission president, he served in a variety of callings, including bishop, stake presidency counselor, stake Sunday School presidency member, and institute instructor.
He earned an undergraduate degree in American Studies from BYU and an MBA from the University of Utah. He is the owner of a real estate investment company.
Brother Durrant expressed his excitement to be working with his fellow members of the Sunday School general presidency, Brother Tad R. Callister and Brother John S. Tanner. “They are two superbly gifted teachers.”
