“Gayle M. Clegg Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency,” Liahona, Jan. 2000, 128
Gayle M. Clegg
Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency
“I’ve always loved children. Raising my own was the most pleasurable thing I’ve ever done,” says Gayle M. Clegg, mother of five, grandmother of nine, and former elementary school teacher in Utah, Brazil, and Argentina. “I’m grateful the Lord is allowing me to continue working with the children of this world.”
Sister Clegg was born on 23 June 1942 in Glendale, California, the first of five children born to Grant and Lillie Tidwell Muhlestein. Raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Utah. There she met Calvin C. Clegg, and they married on 14 August 1964 in the Salt Lake Temple.
Over the next 16 years, the family lived in Florida; Arizona; Washington, D.C.; New Jersey; Brazil; and Argentina. In each place they enjoyed many opportunities for Church service and spiritual growth.
“My Primary experience began in New Jersey,” says Sister Clegg. “As a young president, I learned that Primary is a loving place where working with children strengthens your testimony. Several years later in Brazil, I taught Primary. Since I didn’t know the language, I literally memorized the lessons each week. As a result, I learned to speak Portuguese.”
The Cleggs lived for two years in Brazil and then moved to Argentina. “For three and a half years, our home was the center of many ward activities,” says Sister Clegg. In 1980 the Cleggs returned to Salt Lake City.
“We’re an outdoor family who love to hike, talk, and tell stories,” she says. “Music is important to us. All of my daughters play the piano, and everyone loves to sing. Primary songs are our favorites.”
Sister Clegg taught elementary school from 1982 until 1996, when Brother Clegg was called to serve as president of the Portugal Lisbon North Mission.
Of her new calling, Sister Clegg says: “I take confidence in the knowledge that who the Lord calls, He qualifies. I believe this will be an opportunity to show my appreciation to the Savior for all He has done for me.”