Five new temple presidents have been called by the First Presidency, with their wives called as matrons. They will begin service in November.
John Malulani Aki Jr., 69, Kaneohe 3rd Ward, Kaneohe Hawaii Stake, called as president of the Hong Kong China Temple, succeeding President Charles W. H. Goo. President Aki's wife, Lai Wah Choi Aki, will serve as temple matron. Serving as stake assistant director of Public Affairs, he has served as president of the China Hong Kong Mission, stake president's counselor, high councilor, bishop and senior couple missionary. A retired educational specialist of the Hawaii State Department of Education, he was born in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, to John Malulani and Cecilia Cooper Aki Sr.
Sister Aki served with her husband as he presided over the China Hong Kong Mission and as a senior couple missionary. She has also served as a ward Relief Society president, secretary in a ward Young Women presidency, ward Young Women advisor, and Relief Society and Primary teacher. She was born in Hong Kong, China, to Yee-Shing and Yuj-Wah Lee Choi.
Juan Antonio Machuca Cañas, 63, Acueducto Ward, Mexico City Arbolillo Stake, called as president of the Monterrey Mexico Temple, succeeding President Horacio A. Tenorio. President Machuca's wife, Isabel Santana Guirado de Machuca, will serve as temple matron. Recently released as an Area Seventy, he has served as president of the Mexico Puebla Mission, mission president's counselor, stake president, high councilor and bishop. An instructor for the Church Educational System, he was born in Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit, Mexico, to Gregorio and Socorro Cañas de Machuca.
Sister Machuca served with her husband as he presided over the Mexico Puebla Mission. She has also served as a ward Relief Society president and counselor and in a ward Young Women presidency. She was born in Ciudad Obregón, Sonora, Mexico, to Alberto and Esperanza Guirado de Santana.
Karl Earl Nelson, 66, Twin Falls 6th Ward, Twin Falls Idaho Stake, called as president of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple, succeeding President D. Rex Gerratt. President Nelson's wife, Beverly Carol Andrus Nelson, will serve as temple matron. Serving as first counselor in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple presidency, he has served as an Area Seventy, president of the India Bangalore Mission, Area Authority, regional representative, stake president and high councilor. A retired regional sales manager for WestFarm Foods, he was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Hugh M. and Dorothy O. Nelson.
Sister Nelson serves as an assistant to the matron of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple and has previously served with her husband as he presided over the India Bangalore Mission. She has also served as a stake Relief Society president's counselor, ward Young Women president's counselor, as ward Primary president and counselor and seminary teacher. She was born in Wendell, Idaho, to Ted G. and Ariyane B. Bartholomew Andrus.
Julio Enrique Otay Gómez, 59, Colón Ward, Puerto Montt Chile Stake, called as president of the Santiago Chile Temple, succeeding President Thomas E. Lyon. President Otay's wife, Elena De Navarro Ampuero Otay, will serve as temple matron. Serving as a temple missionary in the Santiago Chile Temple, he has served as an Area Seventy, Area Authority, mission president's counselor, regional representative, stake president, district president's counselor and branch president. A retired official of Banco Del Estado de Chile, he was born in Puerto Varas, Chile, to Enrique and Duraliza Gómez Otay.
Sister Otay, serves with her husband as a temple missionary in the Santiago Chile Temple, and has previously served as a counselor in a stake Young Women presidency and ward Relief Society presidency, institute teacher and Sunday School teacher. She was born in Los Muermos, Chile, to Alejandro and María Navarro Ampuero.
Clair Ogden Thueson, 71, Rexburg 10th Ward, Rexburg Idaho Stake, called as president of the Rexburg Idaho Temple, succeeding President Val R. Christensen. President Thueson's wife, Myrtle Anne Byram Thueson, will serve as temple matron. Serving as second counselor in the Rexburg Idaho Temple presidency, he has served in a mission presidency, and as a stake president, patriarch, bishop, senior couple missionary and temple ordinance worker. A retired tire store owner, he was born in Sugar City, Idaho, to Ray Devine and Tacy Mildred Ogden Thueson.
Sister Thueson serves as assistant to the matron of the Rexburg Idaho Temple and has served as ward Relief Society president, patriarch's scribe, ward Activities Committee chairman, senior couple missionary, temple ordinance worker and ward organist. She was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to George and Verna Ellen McDaniel Byram.
