1948-1951

Joe served in the Mexican Mission. His assignment was for 31 months, ten of which in Costa Rica in Central America and the final ten months as Secretary to the Mission Presidency.

1950-1952

After graduating from BYU Provo Barbara decided to go on a mission. Elder Spencer W. Kimball, a General Authority at the time, suggested at first that she not go on a mission. Then later advised her that she should indeed go on a mission. After setting her apart as a missionary to Mexico he said, “We don’t go on a mission to find a husband, but keep your eyes opened.” Luckily she did.

1951-1953

Joe attended BYU in Provo. He graduated with a BA degree and elected to Phi Kappa Phi, national honorary scholastic fraternity, and was also commissioned as an officer (2nd Lt.) in the Air Force. He received the Air Force Association Silver medal given to what they considered to be the “outstanding senior cadet” and named a “Distinguished Graduate” should the Air Force decide to offer a regular commission such as is received by those who graduate from the Air Force Academy.

1952

September 2nd, Joe J Christensen and Ida Barbara Kohler were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Spencer W. Kimball.

1953-1955

Joe served as an officer in the Air Force. Called to active duty during the time of the Korean War but as he began his service, the armistice was signed between North and South Korean and so he spent the entire active duty service time at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. The Charleston AF Base was part of the Tactical Air Command with the specific assignment to provide the air support to parachute soldiers into combat. At the end of active duty, he was offered a “regular” commission rather than the reserve commission, which he declined in order to go on to graduate school. The military obligation was for a total of 8 years—in his case, with two on active duty and another six on active reserve status. He finished his time with the rank of captain.

1955-1956

Joe was offered an academic fellowship at BYU, but to gain experience in week-day religious education, he accepted a full-time position as a seminary teacher at Granite High School in Salt Lake City which was enjoyed very much.

1956-1957

Requested and was granted a “leave without pay” from the Seminary Department to go on to graduate school. Attended BYU-Provo. Joe chose to major in counseling and guidance, hoping to be of better assistance to students with whom he would serve in seminaries and/or institutes who would come for advice or counsel. They offered him some part-time work teaching two religion classes while there—one LDS Doctrine and Philosophy and the other in Church History.

1957-1960

Arrangements were made for Joe to receive a graduate fellowship at Cornell University in New York to work on his PhD, but the administration asked if they would consider being Institute Director at Washington State University part-time and do his graduate work there. They agreed, and went to Pullman. By this time they had three children (Amy, Susan and Stephen) and the fourth, Linda, was born while there.

1960-1962

In May Joe received a PhD from WSU. They graciously had offered him a contract to remain on the faculty at WSU but he chose instead to continue with Church Education. He was assigned to serve as Institute Director at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho—just 7 miles to the East of Pullman and to succeed Brother George Tanner who had been there for 28+ years. Douglas was born in July. In November 1960, Joe was called to be Bishop of the Moscow 2nd Ward which included the 300+ single and married students attending the U. of Idaho.

1962-1970

Joe was called to serve as Institute Director adjacent to the University of Utah to succeed Dr. Lowell Bennion. Durring this time he served on the High Council of the U. of Utah Student Stake. Spencer, Joe and Barbara's youngest son was born in October of 1962 just after they arrived in SLC.

1970

Joe and Barbara were called to preside over the Mexico City Mission. In July, they left with their six children, got settled and were thoroughly enjoying the challenge when President Harold B. Lee of the First Presidency called and said that the Church Board of Education (the First Presidency and the Twelve) had determined that they should return to become an Associate Commission for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion to serve with Brother Neal A. Maxwell, the newly appointed Commissioner of Church Education.

1970-1979

Joe served administering the Seminaries and Institutes of Religion around the world. The Brethren decided that the week-day religious educational programs should be made available to members of the Church wherever they were. At the time, the Church did not have one course even translated into another language. During the following nine years, Joe travelled in and out of 66 countries, many several times, and the seminaries and institutes of religion began functioning in 16 languages.

1979-1983

In 1979 Joe was called by the First Presidency to served as President of the Missionary Training Center in Provo with Barbara. Joe and Barbara were informed when they were called that they would likely be there for two or three years, but they were given a bonus and we were there for four years during which time, more than 58,200 missionaries came to receive their preliminary training.

1985-1989

In 1985 Joe was called to serve as President of Ricks College (Now BYU-Idaho.) with Barbara. A tremendously rewarding experience for both of them. During their time at the school, Ricks College had it's centennial celebration.

1989-1999

In 1989 Joe was called to serve as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. His first assignment for three years was to serve in the Area Presidency of Brazil. Joe and Barbara had to shift from Spanish to Portuguese. It was a phenomenal experience for the both of them!

Next, from 1992-93, Joe served as President of the North America Northwest Area of the Church and from 1993 as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.

1999-2002

After becoming emeritus, Joe and Barbara served as President and Matron of the San Diego California Temple.

2002-2009

Joe and Barbara reside in the Valley View Stake and the 7th Ward where they have had some choice experiences. They teach the Temple Preparation Course, serve as home teachers and visiting teachers and now, for four+ years as Stake Patriarch and scribe, they attend the SLC Temple weekly where Jow serves as a Sealer and Barbara performs ordinances. Two+ years ago, they received a call from the First Presidency to help with the care, maintenance and beautification of the Church-owned property and senior missionaries serving at Adam-ondi-Ahman in Missouri.
Joe and Barbara's family now totals 52 and with the great-grandchildren coming, it continues to grow.