stˈʌdiɪŋ fˈɜːst æt ɹˈɪks kˈɑːlɪdʒ, wˌɛɹ ˈɜːnd ɐn ɐsˈoʊsɪˌeɪt dᵻɡɹˈiː, hiː pˈɔːzd hɪz stˈʌdiz tə sˈɜːv ɐ tˈuːjˈɪɹ mˈɪʃən fɚðə tʃˈɜːtʃ ʌv dʒˈiːzəs kɹˈaɪst ʌv lˈæɾɚdˈeɪ sˈeɪnts ɪn ˈɔːstɹiə.
Studying first at Ricks College, where earned an associate degree, he paused his studies to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Austria.