L. Whitney Clayton was born on February 24, 1950, to L. Whitney Clayton, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth. He grew up a member of the Church in Whittier, California. Elder Clayton began his education at the University of Utah, but interrupted his education to serve a mission for the Church in the Peru Andes Mission. He then returned to the University of Utah, taking a Bachelor's Degree in finance, then went to the University of the Pacific in California, where he earned a law degree. He married Kathy Ann Kipp on August 3, 1973, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have raised seven children.