Latest news with #195thAnnualGeneralConference
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
President Nelson invites church members to increase their capacity for charity and virtue
President Russell M. Nelson sounded notes of optimism and warning Sunday afternoon and invited listeners to take intentional steps to increase their charity, virtue and confidence before God at the conclusion of the 195th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 'As we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy and our faith in Jesus Christ will increase,' he said. 'We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes.' The church's 100-year-old prophet-leader was the last of 32 speakers at the two-day conference, which drew 98,397 to the Conference Center and Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Millions more watched and listened to broadcasts and livestreams. While he said the Church of Jesus Christ is experiencing great momentum, he also warned listeners against divisiveness. 'The present hostility in public dialogue and on social media is alarming. Hateful words are deadly weapons,' he said. 'Contention prevents the Holy Ghost from being our constant companion.' He invited church members and others to take specific steps to shield themselves and help others. He said increasing charity and virtue can help them lead the way as peacemakers. 'The Savior is the Prince of Peace. We are to be his instruments for peace,' he said. 'In the Lord's own words, charity and virtue open the way to having confidence before God,' he added. 'Brothers and sisters, we can do this. Our confidence truly can wax strong in the presence of God, right now!' President Nelson attended the Sunday session after viewing the four earlier sessions from home. His message was pre-recorded as a concession to age. 'My eyes continue to get older,' he said. As he prepared to announce 15 new temple locations at the end of his talk, he said regular worship in temples increases capacity for charity and virtue. 'Time in the temple increases our confidence before the Lord,' he said. 'Increased time in the temple will help us prepare for the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We do not know the day or the hour of his coming. But I do know that the Lord is prompting me to urge us to get ready for that 'great and dreadful day.'' Sunday's temple announcement brings the total number of Latter-day Saint temples to 382 — including 202 that are dedicated. The others are in various stages of planning or construction. With the 15 new locations, President Nelson now has announced 200 temples since becoming church president in January 2018. (The full list of new temples is at the bottom of this story.) Sunday's other speakers described Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as 'perfectly loving, kind, patient, understanding and perfectly glorious,' in the words of Elder John A. McCune, a General Authority Seventy. President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, said the Father designed his plan of happiness with divine, saving help in mind. First, God planned to send his Son, Jesus Christ, to provide a 'glorious erasing' of repented sins, said President Oaks, who also listed four other helps that God provided his children: The light or spirit of Christ to help each person know good from evil. The cluster of directions available in scripture known as commandments, ordinances and covenants. The manifestations of the Holy Ghost that witness of truth. The gift of the Holy Ghost as a daily companion from the Godhead. 'Our part in this Divine Plan,' President Oaks said, 'is to trust in God and seek and use these divine helps, most notably the Atonement of his Beloved Son, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.' Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles noted that Sunday's conference marked the exact 195th anniversary of the 1830 worship service that served as the formal organization of the church. He called it 'a singular event in the history of the world' and some of the most important glorious 'good news' any person can receive. 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's New Testament church restored,' Elder Bednar said. 'This church is anchored in the perfect life of its chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, and in his infinite Atonement and literal Resurrection. Jesus Christ has once again called apostles and has given them priesthood authority.' That first meeting on April 6, 1830, he added, was 'the culmination of a sequence of miraculous experiences.' The second in a 'sequence of miraculous experiences' that led to the church's organization was the publication of the Book of Mormon, followed by the restoration of the keys of the priesthood authority bestowed by ancient prophets and apostles upon Joseph Smith,' Elder Bednar said. Every person is a child of God who should seek connection with deity and push back against feelings of shame, speakers said. The truth that each is a child of God is breathtaking and literal, said Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 'This is not just a nice song we sing,' he said. 'Will you please accept, open and receive this gift of knowledge and understanding from him? Will you hold it close as the precious treasure it is? Re-receive this gift, or perhaps truly receive it for the very first time, and let it transform every aspect of your life.' God and Christ love every person, said Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. 'Listen for that voice that says good things about you — the voice of the Savior, your finest friend, and your Father in Heaven, who is really there,' she said. 'Remember, their love and your worth are always great, no matter what.' Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve said Easter, which falls on April 20 this year, helps connect God's children to him. 'Easter in Jesus Christ helps us mend, reconcile, make right our relationships, on both sides of the veil,' he said. 'Jesus can heal grief; he can enable forgiveness. He can free us and others from things we or they have said or done that otherwise bind us captive.' Father in Heaven loves each of his children perfectly, so much so that he provides them compensating blessings for things beyond their control, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé said. 'My dear friends,' Bishop Caussé said, 'if you ever feel limited or disadvantaged by the circumstances of your life, I want you to know this: The Lord loves you personally. He knows your circumstances, and the door to his blessings remains wide open to you no matter the challenges you face.' The new temples are: Reynosa, Mexico Chorrillos, Peru Rivera, Uruguay Campo Grande, Brazil Porto, Portugal Uyo, Nigeria San Jose del Monte, Philippines Nouméa, New Caledonia Liverpool, Australia Caldwell, Idaho Flagstaff, Arizona Rapid City, South Dakota Greenville, South Carolina Norfolk, Virginia Spanish Fork, Utah
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here's what happened during the Sunday morning session of General Conference
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its second day of the 195th Annual General Conference from the Conference Center in Downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday. Prior to the morning session of the conference, the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performed its weekly broadcasted show of Music and the Spoken Word. The weekly show has been running uninterrupted for almost 100 years. In his address to those in attendance, Derrick Porter, the host of Music and Spoken Word, spoke about the power found in Jesus Christ's name. He stated that Christ is known by many names — Prince of Peace, the advocate in heaven to Heavenly Father, the Shepherd and Bishop of souls. How General Conference has evolved over the past two centuries 'What's in a name?' Porter asked the audience, speaking about the name of Jesus Christ. 'Everything,' he said. Directly following the live broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word, the morning session got underway. Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke first on Sunday. He spoke about the restoration of what members believe is Christ's Church on Earth today. He told those listening around the world that anyone can receive the message of the restored gospel. Elder Steven D. Shumway followed Bednar. Shumway taught laboring with God helps members grow in their measure of their creation. 'When we say yes to Christ, we are saying yes to the most abundant life possible,' he said to those attending and listening. Shumway was followed by Sister Tamara Runia. Sister Runia spoke about the path away from spiritual pain. 'Sometimes I have to remember, like a Post-it note on my forehead, that the commandments are the path away from pain,' she said. 'Repentance is too. Our prophet said, 'The Savior loves us always but especially when we repent.'' She was followed by the presiding bishop Gérald Caussé, who told members the Lord loves them personally and knows their struggles. He also said that members can contribute to blessings through work for ancestors that have passed by going through the temple. Elder Gerrit W. Gong also spoke of a visit to the temple in his talk. 'Including the Kirtland Temple, I recently visited sacred places in Ohio where the Prophet Joseph and others saw in vision God our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ,' Gong told members. 'The Prophet Joseph saw what heaven is like. In heaven, Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, 'saves all the works of his hands' in a kingdom of glory. The only exceptions are those who willfully 'deny the Son after the Father has revealed Him,'' Gong finished. Elder John A. McCune and President Dallin H. Oaks were the last two speakers of the session. McCune said that Jesus Christ is the way to happiness while Oaks taught of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ — who atones for the sins of the world. In Oaks' talk, he also said that ordinances and covenants are part of the path to eternal life. One more session of General Conference will be held, which will take place at 2 p.m. Mountain Time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No one is beyond the love of Jesus Christ, speakers say on first day of general conference
The Savior Jesus Christ is a cherished friend ready to bless and rescue those who seek and draw near to him, speakers said Saturday during the first three sessions of the 195th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church President Russell M. Nelson, who is 100, watched all three sessions from home like the millions of the church's now 17.5 million members assembled throughout the world on the first day of the two-day conference. The statistical report released Saturday listed membership at the close of 2024 at 17,509,781 in more than 190 countries and territories. In a social media post March 16 President Nelson encouraged all to remember the Easter season and to see Christ's Resurrection as the ultimate expression of his love. That message was echoed by other leaders throughout the conference which attracted capacity crowds to downtown Salt Lake City's Conference Center totaling 56,227 during the day. Christ lovingly invites all to draw near to him with the promise that they shall find him, said President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency. 'Every covenant-servant of Jesus Christ will receive his direction as they bless and serve others for him,' he said. 'Then they will feel his love and find joy in being drawn closer to him.' That promise is durable, other apostles said. Christ stands willing to save those who follow him and those who sin grievously or become uprooted and leave His church. It was a welcome promise, coming during a time of war internationally and turmoil between countries as the United States and its friends and foes manage conflict over trade. Saturday featured protests across all 50 states of administration policies, including at the Utah Capitol up the hill from the Conference Center. But there was no disturbance to the message of peace in Christ emenating from the Conference Center. President Jeffrey R. Holland, the acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told the conference that all people should seek to grow closer to Christ by being as faithful as little children. 'Is there anything sweeter, more pure, more humble than a child at prayer?' President Holland said. 'It is as if heaven is in the room. God and Christ are so real, but for others the experience can become more superficial ... But children really do love him, and that love can carry over into their other relationships in the playground of life.' Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve told the touching story of the love shown by a congregation toward a young unmarried woman who became pregnant and honored the sanctity of life and made the righteous choice to deliver the baby. Elder Anderson reiterated the church's position that abortion is a sin, but noted the love available to all who chose to come to Christ for comfort and forgiveness. 'The diminishing love for unborn children worldwide is a grave concern. God cherishes life' — but he also emphasized that forgiveness 'can come through the miracle of (Jesus Christ's) atoning grace, as you turn to him with a humble and repentant heart.' Church members can also help each other hear the Savior's song of redeeming love and be one body in Christ, said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 'The unity we seek is not to have everyone stand in the same place; it is to have everyone face in the same direction — toward Jesus Christ. We are one, not because of where we've been but where we are striving to go, not because of who we are but who we seek to become,' he said. 'That is what Christ's true church is all about.' Two leaders shared messages centered around conversations they'd had with girls in Primary, the church's children's organization. Elder Dale G. Renlund said a young girl told him she loved Christ by was scared about his Second Coming because of foretold calamities. He shared how Christ himself provided comfort about his Second Coming through the parables of the Ten Virgins, the talents and the sheep and goats. 'The essential lesson of (the parable of the 10 virgins) is that we are wise when we accept the gospel, seek to have the Holy Ghost with us and avoid deception,' he said. God also expects his children to magnify their talents and use them to bless others. He invited the girl and all was to follow Christ and trust the Holy Ghost as one would a cherished friend. 'You will be ready to meet the Savior,' Elder Renlund said, 'and you can join President Nelson in being joyfully optimistic.' Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve shared the story of the tragedy and rescue of the 1856 Willie and Martin handcart companies as an example. 'In a world of great beauty, there are also enormous challenges,' he said. 'As we turn to Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, he rescues us from the storms of life through his Atonement in accordance with the Father's plan … The Father's plan of happiness is based on the Savior's atoning rescue.' Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson said those who suffer from physical and emotional afflictions can feel whole now as they await the ultimate healing of the Master Healer by following him with faith. 'I can be whole, while I wait for healing, if I am wholehearted in my relationship with him,' she said, adding, 'Faith in him increases my hope for healing, and that hope reinforces my faith in Jesus Christ. It is a powerful cycle.' The Sermon on the Mount is 'decisively the most noteworthy discourse ever delivered,' said Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary General Presidency. She said church members want their children to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ and his church through covenant and strive to become like Jesus Christ. 'This Jesus should not be a fictional Jesus or a simplistic Jesus, or a bodiless Jesus, or a casual Jesus or an unknown Jesus,' she said, 'but a glorified, omnipotent, resurrected, exalted, worshipful, powerful Only Begotten Son of God, who is mighty to save.' Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve said Latter-day Saints are followers of Jesus Christ who embrace a higher and holier celebration of Easter. 'Implicit in the name of the church is our theology of 'Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone,'' Elder Stevenson said. He listed ways the church is focusing members on Christ — emphasizing the full name of the church, new Christ-themed art for meetinghouses, Young Women and Young Men themes and music focused on Christ, greater emphasis on the Atonement and literal Resurrection of Christ as the most glorious events in history, the celebration of Easter as a season and not just a holiday, and the new church symbol of Thorvaldsen's statue of Christ. 'I testify that all who accept the invitations from our living prophet and his counselors to more intentionally commemorate the holy events that Easter represents will find that their bond with Jesus Christ grows ever stronger,' Elder Stevenson said. Elder D. Todd Christofferson closed the Saturday sessions with a talk about worshiping Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He said the sacrament is the highlight of Sabbath worship for the penitent. 'Worship on the Lord's Day is marked by a particular focus on the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We appropriately and specially celebrate his Resurrection at Easter but also every week as we partake of the sacramental emblems of his Atonement, including his Resurrection,' he said. He warned against false idols, which he defined as anything that takes precedence over worship of the Father and Son. 'One who places loyalty to party or cause ahead of divine direction worships a false god. Even those who purport to worship God but do not keep his commandments are walking in their own way.'
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Latter-day Saints sustain new leaders — 16 general authorities, young men general presidency
During the opening moments of the 195th Annual General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday morning, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency announced 16 new General Authority Seventies and a new Young Men General Presidency. President Oaks also announced that Elder Kevin R. Duncan has been called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, effective August 1, 2025. He will replace Elder José A. Teixeira, who has served in the presidency since 2018. In addition, President Oaks announced that five General Authority Seventies will be released and receive emeritus status on Aug. 1. Those leaders include: Elder David S. Baxter, Elder Randall K. Bennett, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, Elder Rafael E. Pino and Elder Jorge F. Zeballos. Following is a brief biography of each new General Authority Seventies. General Authority Seventies are church leaders called by the First Presidency to be 'especial witnesses' and to assist the Twelve in 'building up the church and regulating all the affairs' and 'preaching and administering the gospel' throughout the world (Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). They act under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, according to a press release on General Authority Seventies serve full-time in the church. They are usually released in the year they turn 70 years old and are granted emeritus status. Elder Amos was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on November 2, 1961. He graduated with engineering degrees from Southern University, Baton Rouge and the University of Central Florida, Orlando. He is now retired from the United States Navy Reserve and Siemens Energy Inc. At the time of this call, he was serving as a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southeast Area. He and his wife, Michelle Evette Wright, have three children. Elder Barcellos was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 4, 1975. He studied business administration at São Marcos University. He went on to work in sales and marketing for several companies. In 2011 he cofounded GreenMile, LLC, where he worked as chief operating officer for four years and chief executive officer for six years. When called to be a General Authority, Elder Barcellos was serving as a seminary teacher in the Orlando Florida South Stake. He and his wife, Karin Spat Albino, are the parents of three children. Elder Barlow was born in Bountiful, Utah, on January 1, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in health education from the University of Utah in 1993. He worked as an executive in data analytics and quality improvement in health care. At the time he accepted this assignment to be a General Authority, Elder Barlow was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Christina Evans, have five children. Elder Brown was born in Manchester, Jamaica, on May 18, 1976. He received a bachelor's degree in computing with management studies from the University of Technology, Jamaica, in 2008. He went on to receive a master's degree in governance and public policy from the University of the West Indies in 2012. Since 2001 he has worked for the Church's Seminaries and Institutes of Religion as an Institute coordinator, division director–training services, coordinator, and associate administrator. At the time of this call, Elder Brown was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Nadine Lezanne Carter, have five children. Elder Cuvelier was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 12, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in public relations from Brigham Young University in 1994. He joined Shell Oil Company in 1996 and worked across various business units throughout North America. He has also served as a director on several national and regional boards. When called to the ranks of the General Authorities, Elder Cuvelier was serving as a member of the Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. He and his wife, Wendi Sue Manwaring, have four children. Elder Cziesla was born in Neumünster, Germany, on July 26, 1972. He received a degree in law from the University of Mainz in 2000. He also obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mainz in 2003, comparing German and U.S. law as a visiting scholar at BYU. He worked as an attorney and partner for SJ Berwin LLP from 2003 to 2016, and in 2017 became senior corporate partner at McDermott Will & Emery. At the time of this call, Elder Cziesla was serving as ward activity committee chairman for the Darmstadt Ward. He and his wife, Margret Anne Rauh, are the parents of five children. Elder Evanson was born in Taber, Alberta, Canada, on August 16, 1968. He received a bachelor's degree in dental materials in 1993 followed by a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1995, both from the University of Alberta. He has worked as a dentist in private practice for over 26 years. When he was called as a General Authority, Elder Evanson was serving as a Sunday School teacher and activity days leader in his congregation. He and his wife, Jody Karil Zobell, have five children and 11 grandchildren. Elder Eyre was born in Logan, Utah, on January 17, 1964. He received a bachelor's degree in finance from Utah State University in 1988. In 1993, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tulsa. From 2008 to 2019, he worked for Baxter International in a variety of roles including general manager, corporate vice president, and senior vice president. Since 2023, he has been a board member for HemaSource. At the time of this call to be a General Authority Seventy, Elder Eyre was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Susan Zari Rahimzadeh, are the parents of five children. Elder Farias was born in Recife, Brazil, on October 19, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting from the Catholic University of Pernambuco in 1995, a postgraduate degree in finance from Pernambuco University, and later received a master's degree from the Getulio Vargas Foundation. He has worked for the Church since 1995 in various positions, including financial manager, human resources manager, and director of temporal affairs in the Brazil Area. When he accepted the call to be a General Authority, Elder Farias was serving as president of the Georgia Atlanta Mission. He and his wife, Giovanna de Medeiros Prata, are the parents of three children. Elder Hall was born in Provo, Utah, on March 4, 1971. He received a degree in professional sales from Weber State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah. He worked as an executive for technology and private equity firms. Most recently, he was working for the Church as a director in the Missionary Department. At the time of this call, Elder Hall was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Kimberly Wade, are the parents of four children. Elder Holmes was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 5, 1977. He received a bachelor's degree in political science in 2008 and a Juris Doctor degree in 2012, both from Arizona State University. He was vice president of Holmes Homes of Arizona from 2006 to 2010. In 2014, he founded Holmes Law, PLC. Since 2021 he has worked as general counsel for Charter One, LLC. When he was called to be a General Authority, Elder Holmes was serving as a member of the Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. He and his wife, Alyson Margaret Wilson, have six children. Elder Larreal was born in Valencia, Venezuela, on July 6, 1976. He received a bachelor's degree in management from Simón Rodriguez University in 2005. He went on to receive two Master of Business Administration degrees, one in 2008 from Santa Maria University and one in 2021 from BYU. From 1998 to 2008, he worked for the Church as a Seminaries and Institutes coordinator. Since 2009, he has worked for Nature Sunshine Products Inc. as general manager and then as director of Latin America from 2017 to 2023. At the time of this call, Elder Larreal was president of the Texas McAllen Mission. He and his wife, Sariah Alvarez Campos, are the parents of three children. Elder Matswagothata was born in Middlepits, Botswana, on January 8, 1980. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He has worked in the automotive industry since 2004 with various car brands. He has held several leadership positions, including sales manager, general manager, and country manager for Barloworld Motor. When he accepted this assignment, Elder Matswagothata was serving as a temple ordinance worker in the Johannesburg South Africa Temple and as an area self-reliance specialist. He and his wife, Novelty Busisiwe Buthelezi, have three children. Elder Ortega was born in Godoy Cruz, Argentina, on July 10, 1977. He received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the John F. Kennedy University, Argentina in 2008 and a master's degree from the University of Belgrano in 2016. In 2017, he received a diploma in leadership from Harvard Business School. Elder Ortega worked as a construction project manager, first for SBS Co. and then for Village Roadshow Co. He became real estate director for American Express Company in 2014, board member for Arch Royale Projects Limited in 2023, and board member for CorNet Global in 2024. At the time of his call to be a General Authority, Elder Ortega was serving as a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the Mexico Area. He and his wife, Gabriela Alejandra Cappi Franzia, are the parents of three children. Elder Rowe was born in Provo, Utah, on April 23, 1967. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Brigham Young University. He also received a master's degree in public policy and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago. He practiced international law for many years as a partner in various law firms in Washington, D.C., and overseas. He has served as chief executive officer for the Stirling Foundation since 2019. When he was called as a General Authority, Elder Rowe was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Brooke Francis, have five children. Elder Wu was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on December 22, 1970. He received a bachelor's degree from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in 2014 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Universidad del CEMA in 2020. He has worked for the Church since 2007, first in the Meetinghouse Facilities Department and then, beginning in 2016, as the operations and maintenance manager for the South America South Area. When he accepted this assignment, Elder Wu was president of the Chile Antofagasta Mission. He and his wife, Marcela Beatriz Castellani, are the parents of three children. Members of the new Young Men General Presidency will begin service on August 1. The Young Men organization promotes faith, growth, and development in young men through Sunday instruction, weekday service and activities, and annual camps and conferences. The Young Men General Presidency, which directs this organization for the whole Church, consists of a president and two counselors, according to a press release on These three men are responsible for supporting young men ages 12 to 18 in the Church. President Farnes, 55, lives in Bountiful, Utah. He is a self-employed investor and advisor. He currently serves as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area. His previous Church assignments include mission president, stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishop, young single adult (YSA) bishop, and bishopric counselor. He and his wife, Linsey, have five children. Brother Wunderli, 63, lives in Alpine, Utah. He is chairman of the board for ORI Inc. He currently serves on the Young Men general advisory council. His previous Church assignments include mission president, young single adult (YSA) stake president, YSA bishop, missionary training center branch presidency counselor, and ward Young Men president. He and his wife, Diane, have four children. Brother Dixon, 54, lives in Spanish Fork, Utah. He is director of the Utah South Institute Region and has worked in various assignments in Seminaries and Institutes for the past 30 years. He currently serves as president of the Spanish Fork Utah East Stake. His previous Church assignments include mission president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, and ward Young Men president. He and his wife, M'Shelle, have five children. President Oaks also announced that Elder Duncan has been called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Duncan was born in Ogden, Utah, on October 6, 1960. He has served as a General Authority Seventy since 2010. During his full-time Church service, his assignments have included president of the Central America Area and, most recently, executive director in the Temple Department. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting, a master's degree in taxation, and a Juris Doctor from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1991. He began his career as a tax attorney in Seattle, Washington. In 1996 he founded CaseData Corporation, from which he retired in 2005. Elder Duncan and his wife, Nancy Elizabeth Smart, are the parents of five children. The Presidency of the Seventy is a group of seven General Authority Seventies called as presidents by the First Presidency to preside over all members of the Seventy. One of the seven presidents is chosen to preside over the other six (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:93–94), according to a press release on The Presidency of the Seventy oversees the work of the Seventy and assists the Quorum of the Twelve in their work throughout the world. This work includes traveling to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ; administering missionary, temple, family history, humanitarian, and other efforts; meeting with Church members and missionaries; organizing Church units; working and counseling with local Church leaders; and many other responsibilities. The other six members of the Presidency of the Seventy are Elders Carl B. Cook (the Senior President), S. Mark Palmer, Marcus B. Nash, Michael T. Ringwood, Arnulfo Valenzuela and Edward Dube.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
April general conference updates
Reporters and editors at the Conference Center and our newsroom in downtown Salt Lake City will share the latest news, talk highlights, photos and themes as they develop from the 195th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here are the latest updates.
