Jim Boud was born in 1952 and raised in Salt Lake County, Utah. He grew up in a large family where his parents instilled in their children a work ethic work that has been a benefit to them throughout their lives. He served in the Utah National Guard for six years. In 1971 through 1973 he served a 2-year mission in England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was as an assistant to his Mission President near the end of his mission.

Jim and his wife Linda were married in the Los Angles temple in July of 1974 and will celebrate their fiftieth-year anniversary in 2024. They have four children and 16 grandchildren who add great joy to their lives. After finishing an accounting degree, Jim started law school at the J. Reuben Clark Law School where he graduated as a J. Reuben Clark Scholar in 1980. He had a successful law practice and handled a variety of litigation cases and other legal matters. He donated much of his time giving free advice and doing pro bono legal work for others including the Muslim community in Salt Lake Valley. His last pro bono project for the Muslim Community was to review and advise the Utah Islamic Center on its Constitution and By-Laws. He retired from the practice of law on December 31, 2021.