Elder Carmack to Direct Perpetual Education Fund

The First Presidency has called Elder John K. Carmack of the Seventy to direct the new Perpetual Education Fund announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on 31 March in the priesthood session of general conference.

The Perpetual Education Fund will assist young Latter-day Saints in developing countries, primarily returned missionaries, to gain an education. Without financial assistance, these young people are often unable to obtain the necessary education or training to help them rise out of poverty. The fund will provide school loans with minimal interest to be repaid after the individual has completed his or her education and is employed.

Elder Carmack will supervise operation of the Perpetual Education Fund, which will be administered through the Church institute program.

Elder Carmack was president of the Europe Central Area when he was called to direct the new program. Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1984 while serving as president of the Idaho Boise Mission, he had previously served the Church as a regional representative and stake president. An attorney, he had been president of a Los Angeles law firm.