“Devin G. Durrant,” Liahona, May 2014, 144
Devin G. Durrant
Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
When Devin G. Durrant was called as the second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, it’s possible many Church members flashed back to his glory days in a Brigham Young University basketball jersey.
Sports, of course, have played an important role in President Durrant’s life. He even spent a season competing in the NBA against the top players in the United States. But he’s been much more than a star athlete: a missionary in Madrid, Spain, a husband, a father, a grandfather, an author, a businessman, a faithful member, and the Texas Dallas Mission president for the past two and a half years.
President Durrant, born October 20, 1960, in Brigham City, Utah, says his childhood home played a pivotal role in preparing him for each of those life roles. His parents, George and Marilyn Durrant, were 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.”
President Durrant and his wife, Julie Mink Durrant, 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.”
President and Sister Durrant were married in the Salt Lake 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 as a bishop, stake presidency counselor, stake Sunday School presidency member, and institute instructor.
He earned an undergraduate degree in American Studies from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Utah. He is the owner of a real estate investment company.