Rector studied at Murray State Teachers College and at the University of Southern California.

Rector moved his wife and two young children to San Diego, California, and then went to special training in Hawaii.

[2] From February to March 1969, Rector served as the interim president of the church's Italian Mission.

[8] In his April 1981 General Conference address, Rector taught "If children have a happy family experience they will not want to be homosexuals, which I am sure is an acquired addiction, just as drugs, alcohol, and pornography are.

"[9][10][11] Though this portion was removed from the transcription of the talk in the Ensign's Conference Report[10] and later on the official Church website, the accompanying video retaining remarks about homosexuality, abortion, and vasectomies remained at least through 2017.