In the early 1970s, Beck served as a
missionary in the Brazil North Central (later the Brazil São Paulo North) Mission. Beck has served in other positions in the LDS Church, including
bishop,
stake president and
president of the Brazil
Rio de Janeiro North Mission. On April 4, 2009, In 2012, Beck spoke at a
Brigham Young University commencement exercise and implored graduates, "You must never sacrifice your family for career or other outside interest. Indeed, in time and eternity you will influence nations by being family focused." While president, Beck did a tour of congregations in
Africa and visited
Durban, South Africa;
Maputo, Mozambique; and
Kinshasa,
Democratic Republic of Congo. At the LDS Church's April 2015 general conference, Beck was released and succeeded by
Stephen W. Owen. ==Personal life==