Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was born in American Fork, Utah, on Jan. 24, 1945. He graduated from high school in New Jersey, earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Duke University. He served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge John J. Sirica during the trials and other proceedings known as Watergate (1972-74).

As a young man, Elder Christofferson served a full-time mission in Argentina. He met Sister Kathy Jacob Christofferson at a BYU football game, where she was on the Cougarette dance team and he was helping with crowd control, and they were married within a year. They have five children.

Prior to being sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 2008 general conference, Elder Christofferson served in the Presidency of the Seventy, as executive director of the Family and Church History Department and as president of the Mexico South Area. He was called as a General Authority Seventy in 1993 and has also been a bishop and a stake president.

In honor of his 78th birthday today, here are nine quotes from Elder Christofferson from the past year.

1. Time in the temple

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles waves goodbye as he leaves the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

“As we leave the temple, we find that the problems and challenges we laid down at the entry are still there. We are obliged to shoulder them again. They haven’t changed, but gratefully, our time in the temple has changed us. Our perspective is surer and more accurate. We now see that what had seemed overwhelming and impossible can, with the Lord’s help, find resolution, and we are more certain of His help.”

— Facebook post on the day of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple dedication, Jan. 15, 2023

2. Power of the Book of Mormon

Sister Kathy Christofferson and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center, pose for a portrait with some of their grandchildren after a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Grandchildren from left are Ben Christofferson, Jake Christofferson, Katherine Nufer, Rachael Nufer and Grace Nufer.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

“This is today. This is our life. This is real. This is what we’re experiencing. This is to us. This is speaking to us right now for the circumstances for which we find ourselves right now.”

 — Devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center, Jan. 17, 2023

3. The Church in Central Africa

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greets Church employees in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. To his left are Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Thierry K Mutombo, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Africa Central Area presidency; and Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“We see a vibrant Church, a rapidly growing Church; we see a stable Church and great opportunities for the future. Members are making individual contributions, but as a Church, we’re beginning to be a real force for good in this area.”

— Visit to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nov. 14, 2022

4. ‘Muscular Christians’

The world needs “muscular Christians” — “disciples who can endure and do hard things, who can meet and overcome challenges with their faith in Jesus Christ.”

— Devotional at the Cedar City Institute of Religion, Oct. 23, 2022

5. ‘We need one another’

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 192nd Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Oct. 1, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Having been given this privilege, we cannot permit any racism, tribal prejudice or other divisions to exist in the latter-day Church of Christ. … As our Church population grows ever more diverse, our welcome must grow ever more spontaneous and warm. We need one another.”

— “The Doctrine of Belonging,” October 2022 general conference

6. Move forward with a spirit of joy

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at a member devotional in Iquitos, Peru, on May 25, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“We all have the opportunity to forgive and be forgiven, so let us do that and leave everything else in the hands of the Lord. Let us move forward with a spirit of joy, with love for all.”

— Ministry in Peru and Bolivia, June 9, 2022

7. Get close to God

“[I]n the midst of this refiner’s fire, rather than get angry with God, get close to God. Call upon the Father in the name of the Son. Turn to Them for daily bread. Walk with Them by the Spirit, day by day and step by step. Come truly to know Them and to truly know yourself. Let God prevail.”

— Facebook post, May 13, 2022

8. Engaging in God’s work

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday morning session of the 192nd Annual General Conference on April 3, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“Our repentance and obedience, our service and our sacrifices do matter … because they engage us in God’s work and are the means by which we collaborate with Him in our own transformation from natural man to saint.” 

— “Our Relationship With God,” April 2022 general conference

9. Bring others to Christ

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks at a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022.

Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

“The greatest service we can provide to others in this life, beginning with those of our own family, is to bring them to Christ through faith and repentance so that they may experience His redemption. It will mean peace and joy now and eternal life in the world to come.”

— Devotional at Provo Missionary Training Center, Feb. 8, 2022