Robert R. Newell has degrees from the University of Utah and the Brigham Young University, including an EdD. He has taught social studies and instrumental and vocal music at the high school, college, and university level and served as professor and director of secondary education at the BYU—Hawaii campus. He also served as administrative assistant to the president and director of personnel at the College of Eastern Utah. His publications include a three-volume series, World History for Latter-day Saints. His callings in the Church have included Sunday School president and instructor, Scoutmaster, counselor to two bishops, executive secretary, ward choir director, and high priests instructor. He and his wife, Charlene, have eight sons, four daughters, and twenty-six grandchildren.