Heidi S. Swinton

Heidi S. Swinton is one of the newer board members of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation. A gifted writer, Heidi is the author of President Thomas S. Monson’s official biography To the Rescue. For To the Rescue, Deseret Book presented her with the “Excellence in Writing Award” for 2010. She also received that award in 2000 for her biography of Joseph Smith American Prophet. She has authored award winning books and written PBS documentaries including Sweetwater Rescue, the Willie and Martin Handcart Story (2006); America’s Choir: A Portrait of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2004); Sacred Stone: Temple on the Mississippi (2002); American Prophet: The Story of Joseph Smith (2000); and the documentary Trail of Hope: The Story of the Mormon Trail (1997). She also has authored In the Company of Prophets, Pioneer Spirit, and has edited and contributed to numerous compilations.

She writes for Music and the Spoken Word and conducts interviews for “Conversations” on the Mormon Channel.

She recently returned from three years in Great Britain (2006-2009) where her husband Jeffrey C. Swinton, former Area Seventy, presided over the England London South Mission. They have five sons (four living), four daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren.

She has served as a member of the LDS Relief Society General Board and on the LDS Church Curriculum Writing Committee for Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, and the BYU Women’s Conference Executive Committee. She has been a Young Women’s President, Primary President, and taught Gospel Doctrine every week for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Utah, she has served as Vice Chair of This is The Place Heritage Park and the Salt Lake City Historical Landmarks Commission.