President Charles was born and raised in Southern California. After high school graduation, he attended Utah State University, completed a mission to Austria, and graduated from BYU with a Bachelor Degree in German and Economics. He then attended the University of California at Davis Law School where he received a Juris Doctor Degree. Following law school he passed the state of Oregon bar exam and filled a clerkship appointment, and then was appointed Assistant City Attorney in Springfield, Oregon. Later President Charles opened his own private practice of law to pursue business interests in land development.
In 1983, the Charles family moved from Oregon in the USA to Eichberg, Switzerland where they resided until their call to serve in the D&usseldorf Mission Presidency. During their time in Switzerland, President Charles founded and built up the European headquarters of an office automation computer software company. He later started a computer-peripherals distribution company serving the European market. He sold this company to prepare for his mission call.
Sister Charles was born in Linz, Austria and attended the Austrian schools until she was 9 years old, when she moved with her family to Canada; Saskatchewan and then Toronto. At the age of 15 she returned with her family to Europe, living for a short time in the area of Stuttgart before returning to Linz, Austria. She graduated from the Frauenoberschule with a Matura. She was awarded an academic scholarship to BYU, which she attended for one year majoring in French. Having grown up with two mother tongues she is equally fluent in German and English.
Sister Charles is a convert to the church. She was baptized in Linz, Austria in 1967. She is best known for her dedication to healthy diets and the oft-suggested cold remedy of drinking tea.