As a political pollster and market researcher, Gary C. Lawrence has spent 35 years studying the opinions and behaviors of the American public. He grew up in Springville, Utah, graduated from Brigham Young University in 1967 with a B.A. in political science, and then earned a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1972 in a communication program that emphasized the study of attitudes – how they are formed, how they are measured, and how they are changed.

Dr. Lawrence has served in many callings in the Church: missionary to South Germany, early morning seminary teacher, bishop, and ordinance worker in the Newport Beach Temple.

He resides in Orange County, California, with his wife, Jan, who earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Utah State University. They are the parents of four children and have four grandchildren.