Elder Royden G. Derrick served in many different Church callings and had many responsibilities in his life. Born in 1915 in Salt Lake City, Utah, he remained loyal to his hometown for nearly his entire life. After high school, he attended both LDS Business College and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. In 1938, he married Allie Jean Olsen. They spend most of their life together in Salt Lake City. The two had four children together and their family continues to grow even after Elder Derrick’s passing.
Elder Derrick served as a high priest group leader, a member of a stake presidency, a counselor in a bishopric, and as a guide on Temple Square. He served as mission president of the England Leeds Mission for three years. He had plans after his service to return to his former life; the Lord, however, had something else in mind. Immediately after returning to the United States, Elder Derrick received a call to preside over the Ireland Dublin Mission for ten months. During his time in Ireland, he was called and sustained as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. From 1980 to 1984, he was a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy. In 1989, his service as a General Authority was concluded as he was named emeritus.
His BYU addresses are centered on themes of agency, the understanding of gospel concepts, and who the Creator is. Students at BYU have learned much from Elder Derrick, and the records of his devotional talks can help anyone struggling with questions regarding these particular themes.
In 2009 and at the age of 94, Elder Derrick passed away. Members of the Church and those whose lives he touched remain grateful today for the influence he had on their lives.
