Background
Asay was born in Sutherland, Utah, and raised in Monroe, Utah.
Asay was born in Sutherland, Utah, and raised in Monroe, Utah.
University of Utah.
In 1947, just prior to leaving on his mission, Asay married Colleen Webb. When he first arrived in the mission, Asay had a hard time finding his mission president, Badwagan Piranian, who was also arriving from Switzerland. Asay had a bachelor"s degree from the University of Utah, a master"s degree from California State University, Long Beach and a doctorate from the University of Utah.
He was president of the church"s Texas North Mission from 1970 to 1973 and later was the president of the church"s International Mission.
In 1986, Asay served as the executive director of the church"s curriculum department. In October 1996, Asay was designated as an emeritus general authority and appointed president of the Salt Lake Temple.
He died of a heart attack while serving in that calling. His funeral was held in the Salt Lake Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In 1976, Asay became a general authority and a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. His first assignment was to head the church"s missionary department. He was a member of the seven-man Presidency of the Seventy twice, from 1980 to 1986 and from 1989 to 1996.
In 1985-1986 and 1995-1996, he was the senior member of the presidency.
