Biographical Sketch Church

Bernell N. (Bernie) Boswell “Bringing vision and hope to families throughout the world” Bernie and Shirley Boswell were married in Provo Utah on February 28, 1948. On their first wedding adversary February 28, 1949 they were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. This was followed in rather quick order by four more beautiful children, a total of five, three boys and two girls. Bernie and Shirley are the grandparents of six lovely grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Time and space does not allow for defining the many wonderful (and sometimes critical) experiences over 60 years. By learning early the importance of meeting family crises head on and using the crisis to strengthen the family, a system emerged that became the basis for the Families in Focus Program. Each family member has been professionally involved in providing family training and other services. Bernie has had a distinguished career in humanitarian services. He is the founder of The Cottage Program International and creator of Families in Focus (Seven Secrets to a Successful Family). As a community education effort, his prevention/wellness programs included meeting with families and neighborhood groups in their homes. His mission and commitment is to promote social and personal values consistent with the behavioral health and emotional well-being of individuals and families. Based on spiritual principles and the universal appeal as a family and community approach to prevention his programs have been replicated in many communities throughout the United States and abroad, bringing new hope to thousands of families. In 1977 Bernie contributed his services for the LDS Church’s Publication on Alcoholism and Family. This program offers help for LDS families in preventing and intervening in alcohol abuse and other destructive behaviors Under the auspices of CPI in collaboration with the United Nations organizations, the First International Year of the Family (IYF) was formed in 1994 in Malta.. It was created to help address the breakdown and diverse needs of families. The first International Year of the Family World Conference was convened in Salt Lake City in June of 1995. Over 600 delegates from 56 Countries participated. President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints keynoted the closing session at the Tabernacle on Temple Square. The Families in Focus Program was endorsed by IYF as an established program for strengthening families. Appointed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bernie served as a member of the National Advisory Council for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and as liaison to the core group of the Science Advisory Board as well as ad hoc to the Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration. And as a consultant for the U.S Department of Education As a Select Member of the National Academy of Science, Washington, DC, he participated in developing Alternative Policies Affecting the Prevention of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for our Federal Government. His contribution to the NIAAA Prevention Panel supported the Public Health Model for community-based prevention services. He is the author of a series of timely articles on family wellness and is co-author of prevention and wellness studies. He has testified before the United States Congress on multiple occasions. He is a strong advocate for community education and family wellness programs. Governor Michael O. Leavitt honored Bernie with the Governor’s Award “In recognition of his outstanding commitment and service to families throughout the world and the vision and hope given to all families through the Families in Focus program”. Bernie appeared frequently on national and local television always emphasizing the critical role of family in creating an emotionally healthy society. He has testified before Congress on numerous times advocating the need for prevention services. His biographical sketch appears in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. Bernie was chosen as a Torch Bearer for the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games.