Thomas E. ("Tom") Johnson was born in Utah in 1948. He attended Juab High School in Nephi, Utah, and Snow College and University of Utah, graduating in 1969. He began attending Northwestern Law School in Chicago in 1969, but interrupted his studies to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan. After completing his missionary service, he returned and completed law school, graduating in 1975. Most of his law career was with the firm of Baker & McKenzie and the last five years was spent with Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg. He concentrated in international business and wrote five editions of a popular export/import book. He married Norma Christensen and they had five daughters together. He has held numerous leadership positions in the LDS (Mormon) Church and, particularly since his retirement from the practice of law, he has written numerous books relating to religion, Christianity, and "Mormonism."