Bruce L. Olsen
Bruce L. Olsen (born 1939) served as director of Public Affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1989 to 2008.
Olsen was born in Orangeville, Utah. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University (BYU).
From 1982 to 1985, Olsen served as president of the church's Massachusetts Boston Mission. He later served as a stake president in Orem, Utah. He also served twice as a bishop and as a member of the Young Men General Board.
Olsen was registrar at BYU, as well as manager for performing groups and as Assistant to the President for University Relations (essentially head of Public Relations for the university). He was also a professor of communications part of his time at BYU. After working at BYU for 20 years, Olsen went to work in corporate communications for Geneva Steel.
During his time as Communications Director for the LDS Church, Olsen sought to combat misleading statements about the church's finances. Among the ways he did this included sending a letter in response to Time Magazine's "Mormons, Inc." article.
Olsen later served as president of the BYU Alumni Association. From 2008 to 2011, he was president of the San Diego California Temple.
Olsen is married to Christine Payne; they are the parents of five children. She has been a member of the Young Women General Board.
Notes
References
- "Corporate official to oversee LDS public communications", Church News, June 10, 1989
- short bio of Olsen