Jerry Hansen was born in Munich, Germany and was raised in several places, the most formative years being in Nebraska, Iowa, and Flagstaff, Arizona. He served a mission in France and Switzerland from 1974 to 1976. He received his B.A. in English literature from Eastern Oregon State College and his M.A. in English literature from BYU. He taught 9 years in seminary and institutes, 19 years in the religion department at Ricks College/BYUI, and 10 years in the Political Science department at BYUI. During many of those years he also taught GE courses with heavy doses of art history, as well as a class on Western European Peoples and Cultures.

Jerry’s experience in Europe includes two dozen trips over a twenty-five-year period, either leading student tours, faculty tours, or for research purposes. Married to Sharlene Wilkerson, they have eight children. He is the author of Sacred Walls: Learning from Temple Symbols, as well as several articles on the Book of Mormon.