As a young man he served as an LDS Church missionary in South Africa.

Prior to his call as a general authority, he served as a bishop, stake president, and regional representative in Idaho.

[2] In 2012 Clarke addressed the BYU student body at the weekly devotional.

[3] From 1998 to 2001, Clarke was president of the LDS Church's Laie Hawaii Temple.

[4] Clarke married Barbara Jean Reed and are the parents of eight children.