David J. Ridges taught for the Church Educational System for thirty-five years. He taught adult religion and Know Your Religion classes for BYU Continuing Education and spoke at BYU Campus Education Week for many years. He has served as a curriculum writer for Sunday School, seminary, and Institute of Religion manuals. His callings in the Church include Gospel Doctrine teacher, bishop, stake president, and patriarch. He and his wife, Janette, served a full-time eighteen-month mission where they trained senior CES missionaries and helped coordinate their assignments throughout the world. They are the parents of six children and make their home in Springville, Utah.