Alvin R. Dyer

Alvin R. Dyer was ordained an apostle in 1967, but uniquely was never made a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency under David O. McKay but was not sustained to the Twelve.

Dyer was known for his strong missionary emphasis and controversial teachings about race and the pre-existence. Some of his recorded talks contained ideas about Black people and pre-mortal existence that were considered extreme, even by the standards of that era.

After McKay’s death, Dyer returned to the Seventy rather than taking a place in the Twelve. His unusual position—apostle but not of the Twelve—remains unique in modern church history.