Elder Milton R. Hunter was born in 1902 in Holden, Utah. His ancestors had come to Utah from Scotland with the early Mormon pioneers. In 1929, he graduated from Brigham Young University with his bachelor’s degree. He earned his master’s degree from there in 1931. In 1935, he received his PhD from the University of California. While pursuing his education, he married his wife, Ferne. Elder Hunter served as a principal of many different schools during his education. After being awarded his PhD, he moved to Logan, Utah to teach at the Institute of Religion. Elder Hunter had a passion for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to others, and chose to dedicate his life to doing so, though he could have accepted a much more prestigious position elsewhere.
Elder Hunter was called to the First Council of the Seventy in 1945. His service took him around the world, serving everywhere he went and continuing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also made many trips to see ruins in Central and South America, researching the history behind the Book of Mormon and hypothesizing about where the setting of this book of scripture may have been. He had a passion for history. He put all his talents and energy into serving the Lord. Elder Hunter passed away in 1975 after many years of faithfully fulfilling his calling. Together, he and his wife had six children and ten grandchildren at the time of his passing.
Elder Hunter is remembered fondly by those who knew him. When he came to BYU, he spoke about his experiences in Central and Southern America and also offered advice to college students regarding how to keep their faith in an ever-changing world. His wisdom helped many, as did his lifetime of service to his family and to the Church.
