Elder Rowe’s talk summary

“Several years ago, as a young lawyer, I was involved in resolving a border dispute between countries that had been at war.” He worked in areas laid with many undiscovered mines. To stay safe, he had to follow Winta, an experienced guide. “I was literally to follow in Winta’s footsteps.”

As much as Winta’s guidance was needed then, “I need Jesus Christ to be my guide through life’s journey amidst its spiritual land mines. All of us do.”

The Savior consistently invites all to follow Him. “Jesus Christ denieth none. No one need walk alone.”

Exercise faith in Christ, repent and make covenants with Him to enter His path. Be in holy places, partake of the sacrament, pray, study the scriptures and minister to others to follow in His footsteps.

“The more time we spend with our guide in this way, … the more we will develop a deep bond and special relationship with Him and our Heavenly Father.”

Knowing His children would be imperfect followers, Heavenly Father provided the Savior who, through His Atonement, has the power to heal completely.

“Jesus Christ is thus not only a perfect and personal guide — He is also the resurrected Redeemer and Master Healer.”

Read the full text of Elder Rowe’s talk: ‘Choose Jesus Christ as Your Guide’

Notable quotes

“I need Jesus Christ to be my guide through life’s journey amidst its spiritual land mines. All of us do.”

“Jesus Christ denieth none. No one need walk alone.”

“Jesus Christ is thus not only a perfect and personal guide — He is also the resurrected Redeemer and Master Healer.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder Rowe?

• Elder Edward B. Rowe was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the April 2025 general conference. He previously served as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area and as president of the Adriatic North Mission.
• He married his high school sweetheart, Brooke Francis, after returning from serving in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. They were sealed in January 1989 in the Salt Lake Temple and are the parents of five children
• In his career practicing international law, Elder Rowe and his family lived in areas of the world where they were likely the only members of the Church. They held sacrament meeting services as a family in their home — complete with Sunday dress and talk assignments.

What has Elder Rowe done recently?

• On Jan. 20, he spoke at a devotional at Ensign College in Salt Lake City on how Christ strengthens individuals beyond their own abilities.
• On Nov. 4, 2025, Elder Rowe spoke in a BYU devotional in Provo, Utah, about staying anchored to Jesus Christ during life’s climb.
• Elder Rowe was one of 16 General Authority Seventies sustained on April 5, 2025, during the April 2025 general conference.

April 2026 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

Foundation of testimony

Elder Shumway shared two important ways his testimony has been formed and strengthened. First is the influence of his family. “My parents lived the gospel even more beautifully than they taught it,” Elder Shumway said. “Their example of living the gospel with joy was instrumental to my own faith. I saw in my parents that when we live the gospel, we have joy.”

Elder Shumway’s parents taught him the importance of work in having a successful and happy life. He was a young boy when he got his first job at his father’s grocery store. “My dad often gave me the unpleasant jobs in the store. He did that intentionally so that I would want an education and learn to love whatever I was asked to do.”

Elder Shumway also shared how his testimony was strengthened on his mission.

His mission president assigned him to open a new area in Kennett Square Pennsylvania — the mushroom capital of the world. “If you don’t know,” Elder Shumway said, “mushrooms grow in dark huts with damp manure. Kennet Square didn’t smell good.

It was a small town with few members of the Church at the time. “Even though I spoke little Spanish, I was tasked with starting a Spanish group in that area. Furthermore, I was a new district leader, and I was training a new missionary.”

Day after day he and his companion worked with little success. As they walked home at the end of a particularly discouraging and rainy day, Elder Shumway stepped ankle deep in a mud puddle. Almost ready to cry, he thought, “You’re doing no good here. You should just go home. There is no way the Lord wants you to labor in these dirty, smelly streets of Kennett Square with no success.”

Then this life-changing question came into his mind: “What price would you pay to know Me?” Elder Shumway had never considered this question. He stopped and quietly whispered, “I will pay whatever price You require of me to know You.” Elder Shumway described this as a spiritually pivotal experience in his life.

He said, “Often, we cannot see the reasons why God asks us to do certain things. They may seem absurd to us. But we know that when we do what the Lord asks with a willing and obedient heart, we come to know the Savior and become more like Him. Ultimately that is why we were all sent to earth — to become like Christ.”

Marriage and moving

Elder Shumway studied chemical engineering at Brigham Young University, where he met his wife, Heidi O’Brien.

The Shumways shared that they both had very clear and separate plans for their lives when they first met. He had a girlfriend. She had a mission call. But gratefully, the Lord had something better in mind for them.

Their meeting was “definitely very spiritual,” said Sister Shumway. “I just knew from the first time I saw Steven that I needed to know him.”

For the next couple of weeks, Elder Shumway kept bumping into Heidi. Unable to get his mind off her, one evening he decided to take a break from studies and sit in on one of BYU’s religion classes. In a “crazy coincidence,” the class he chose just happened to be the one Heidi attended. When she arrived late, the only available seat was right next to his. “That was just one more tender mercy from the Lord to help me to have confidence that I was on the right path,” Elder Shumway said.

The Shumways were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec. 29, 1994. After Elder and Sister Shumway graduated from BYU in 1996, they moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked for Exxon Chemical Co. Elder and Sister Shumway loved living in the area. They planned to stay and work there for several years before leaving to earn an MBA.

While they were living in Houston, Elder Shumway’s parents were called to be mission leaders in Bolivia. His father was concerned about what would happen to the family business while they were away for those three years. “I don’t want to put pressure on you to come back,” his father said to Elder Shumway. “But I hope you will prayerfully consider it.”

It was a difficult decision for them to make, said Elder Shumway. So he and his wife traveled five hours to the Dallas Texas Temple and spent the day there without finding an answer. It wasn’t until they visited the bookstore and spotted President Gordon B. Hinckley’s biography “Go Forward With Faith” when, Elder Shumway said: “Both of us felt the Lord say, ‘You need to go forward in My way, not in your way.’ We knew what we needed to do, so we moved to Arizona, which has turned out to be one of the most significant and beautiful experiences in our lives.”

Sister Shumway shared that “in the first few years of marriage we were not able to have children. We have often felt like our willingness to follow this direction to move to Arizona brought the miracle we sought to be able to have children. We are now the parents of four wonderful children.”

After Elder Shumway’s parents returned from serving in Bolivia, he and his wife decided to stay in Pinetop, where they raised their family. He has been president and CEO of Whiting Brothers Investment Co. since 1998.

The Lord continued to direct the Shumways’ path in unexpected ways. For example, while Elder Shumway was serving in the bishopric of his ward, he and his wife bought land in another ward and had plans to move and build a new home. However, just as they were ready to start construction, Elder Shumway was invited by his stake president to reconsider this move and accept the calling to serve as bishop of the ward they were living in. After prayerful consideration, they decided to accept this invitation, put their house plans on hold and accept the call to serve as the bishop.

“It’s always an invitation with the Savior,” Elder Shumway said when recounting these experiences. “That’s one of the important things we’ve learned is that when you accept His invitations and say yes to Jesus, we are saying yes to living the most beautiful and abundant life possible.”

Illinois Chicago Mission leaders

Elder and Sister Shumway were called to serve as leaders of the Illinois Chicago Mission in 2019. “The Lord sent us the very best missionaries,” Sister Shumway said. In fact, in March of 2020 the mission was gearing up to break the mission record for convert baptisms in a month.

In the first part of March, the missionaries had tremendous success in working toward this goal. “Faith was growing stronger as the missionaries saw what God was doing,” Elder Shumway said.

Then overnight, “the world changed,” said Sister Shumway of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Missionary work changed, and we had to change with it,” she said.

“It really was a rebuilding of the work,” Elder Shumway said. The first year they did the work in much the same way it had been done for centuries, including door-to-door and street contacting. “These are still effective ways we need to use. But God had a different plan, a better way to do His work,” he said.

“In COVID, the Lord broke us down to where we had no other way but to do it His way.”

Each missionary took on unique responsibilities to create content for social media, from Facebook posts to making short videos. Sister Shumway added that with faith and with this new understanding, “everybody got excited about this new way of doing missionary work.”

Elder Shumway said that “Chicago became a top performing mission in using technology to find, teach and baptize people. This happened because these remarkable missionaries trusted that the Lord had a different way to make His work go forward.”

This didn’t happen right away. The key, Elder and Sister Shumway said, was that the Lord continually sent them faith-filled missionaries who learned how to draw upon the powers of heaven in using technology to find and teach people online.

This was another example of a lesson Elder Shumway has learned throughout his life, and one he will continue to use in his new calling as a General Authority Seventy: “Revelation is refined. The Lord gives us small pieces of information. As we give effort to understanding, He gives more and more knowledge until our understanding is refined into this larger portion of heavenly understanding,” he said.

Elder Steven D. Shumway

Family: Born on June 30, 1970, in Springerville, Arizona, to Wilford Douglas and Dixie Ann Shumway; raised in Eager, Arizona. Married Heidi O’Brien in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec. 29, 1994. They are the parents of four children.

Education: Earned a degree in chemical engineering from Brigham Young University in 1996.

Work experience: Worked at Exxon Chemical Co. in Texas 1996-1998, and has been the president and CEO of Whiting Brothers Investment Co. since 1998.

Church service: At the time of his call, he was serving as an Area Seventy. He is a former Illinois Chicago Mission president, stake president, bishop, elders quorum president, stake mission preparation teacher and missionary in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission.

Elder James R. Rasband’s talk summary

In the Kirtland Temple’s dedicatory prayer, “Joseph [Smith] again and again pleaded for mercy” for Church members, their enemies, political leaders “and, very personally, he pled with the Lord to remember him and to have mercy upon his beloved Emma and their children.”

Each person can find mercy in the house of the Lord and the covenants made there. In the temple, individuals learn that “every part of the plan of salvation” is merciful.

“Indeed, it might be said that the plan of salvation is a plan of happiness precisely because it is a ‘plan of mercy.‘”

The Lord will “manifest Himself in mercy whenever we … plead for mercy.” If one struggles to feel answers to prayer, “seeking the Lord’s mercy is one of the most powerful ways to feel the witness of the Holy Ghost.”

When asking Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is true, follow Moroni’s invitation to ponder “how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men” (Moroni 10:3-5), and ask if His plan as taught in this book is really this merciful.

“I testify that it is and that the peace-giving and hopeful teachings of mercy in the Book of Mormon are true.”

See the full text of Elder Rasband’s talk: ‘The Plan of Mercy’

Notable quotes

“It might be said that the plan of salvation is a plan of happiness precisely because it is a ‘plan of mercy.‘”

“For those who sometimes struggle to feel answers to prayer, seeking the Lord’s mercy is one of the most powerful ways to feel the witness of the Holy Ghost.”

“In sum, is the Father’s plan as taught in the Book of Mormon really this merciful? I testify that it is.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder James R. Rasband?

• Elder James R. Rasband was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 6, 2019, at age 56. At the time of his call, he had been serving as an Area Seventy in the Utah South Area.
• Elder Rasband served as a young full-time missionary in the Korea Seoul Mission.
• He married Mary Diane Williams in the Los Angeles California Temple on Aug. 11, 1984. They are the parents of four children.
• He began his career as an attorney in Seattle, Washington, and later served as dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University from 2009 to 2016. He then served as academic vice president of BYU.

What has Elder James R. Rasband done recently?

• During the April 2020 general conference, Elder Rasband taught that through Christ’s healing power, all of God’s children will have a fair opportunity to choose to follow Him.
• Elder Rasband, as a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Temple Department, spoke to news media representatives during media tours of the Taylorsville Utah Temple in April 2024.
• In a January 2020 BYU–Idaho devotional, he taught four ways to keep Christ at the center of one’s gospel vocabulary.

Read Elder James R. Rasband’s previous general conference address.

April 2025 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

Raul T. Antonio, 60, and Eleanor C. Antonio, four children, Pasay 1st Ward, Pasay Philippines Stake: Philippines Baguio Mission, succeeding President Gordon N. Wilson and Sister Dixie Wilson. Brother Antonio is a service mission leader and former stake presidency counselor, district president, stake executive secretary, bishop, elders quorum president, elders quorum presidency counselor, Church history specialist, temple ordinance worker, ward mission leader and missionary in the Philippines Bacolod Mission. He was born in Gerona Tarlac, Philippines, to Ricardo Antonio Antonio and Nieves Facun Taberna.

Sister Antonio is a service mission leader and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor, Church history specialist, Relief Society teacher, seminary teacher and missionary in the Philippines Bacolod Mission. She was born in Pasay City, Philippines, to Alejandro Rubadin Filipino Collado and Dolores Prudente Salipot Collado.

Christopher J. Brady, 62, and Shawna Brady, four children, Monterey Ward, Mesa Arizona Boulder Creek Stake: México México City Northwest Mission, succeeding President Lynn W. Burnham and Sister Jenny Robinson Burnham. Brother Brady is a former stake president, high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, missionary preparation teacher, temple and family history consultant and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. He was born in Provo, Utah, to Michael John Brady and Margaret Jeanne Brady.

Sister Brady is a stake Relief Society president and former stake Young Women president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, missionary preparation teacher and ward organist. She was born in Provo, Utah, to Alan Kent Van Wagenen and Arlene Van Wagenen.

Scott Broadbent, 63, and Kendra Broadbent, three children, Poulsbo 1st Ward, Silverdale Washington Stake: Brazil São Paulo West Mission, succeeding President David L. Hunt and Sister Amy F. Hunt. Brother Broadbent is a stake presidency counselor and former high councilor, stake Young Men presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, elders quorum presidency counselor and missionary in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission. He was born in Seattle, Washington, to Norville Rich Broadbent and Vera Leoyce Broadbent.

Sister Broadbent is a Sunday School teacher and former ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary presidency counselor and Primary teacher. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Morris Russell Kunz and Dona Gay Patterson.

Kyle R. Crump, 58, and Daniece D. Crump, three children, Centennial Ward, Peoria Arizona Stake: Chile Rancagua Mission, succeeding President Scott Y. Doxey and Sister Annelle Doxey. Brother Crump is a service mission leader and former stake presidency counselor, high councilor, stake Young Men presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, ward Young Men presidency counselor, ward mission leader, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Spain Madrid Mission. He was born in American Fork, Utah, to Norman Ray Crump and Lois Ostergaard Crump.

Sister Crump is a service mission leader and former stake Young Women president, ward Young Women president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, activities committee chair, scout committee chair, Activity Days leader, Sunday School teacher, ward Relief Society teacher and seminary teacher. She was born in Price, Utah, to Wilford Lavon Day and Marianne Winward Day.

Michael K. Harries, 60, and Diann B. Harries, four children, Chattahoochee Ward, Roswell Georgia Stake: Perú Trujillo North Mission, succeeding President David P. Hiatt and Sister Maria B. Hiatt. Brother Harries is a stake presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker and former high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Willard James Harries Jr. and Dorothy Jeanne Harries.

Sister Harries is a stake Relief Society presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker and former ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women secretary, Young Women adviser and seminary teacher. She was born in Oakland, California, to Ralph Raymond Barnes and Chloris Bowman Barnes.

Mel S. Huffaker, 62, and Dru Huffaker, six children, Mapleton 1st Ward, Mapleton Utah Stake: Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission, succeeding President Ross N. Hugues and Sister Leslie Hugues. Brother Huffaker is a stake president and former high councilor, stake Young Men presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, high priests group leader, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Australia Brisbane Mission. He was born in Ajo, Arizona, to Melvin Forrest Huffaker and Grace Elaine McGrady.

Sister Huffaker is an institute teacher and former stake temple and family history consultant, ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher, Sunday School teacher, Young Women adviser and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, to Wendell Walter Jewell Sr. and Neely Joyce McCaskill.

Todd L. Knapp, 59, and Signe S. Knapp, six children, Santa Clara 6th Ward, Eugene Oregon Santa Clara Stake: California Newport Beach Mission, succeeding President Mark Carter and Sister Shauna Carter. Brother Knapp is a ward missionary and former stake president, high councilor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men presidency counselor, ward mission leader and missionary in the Idaho Boise Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Lowell Arnold Knapp and Eldeen Knapp.

Sister Knapp is a Primary teacher, seminary teacher and ward temple and family history consultant and former ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Gospel Doctrine teacher and missionary in the Belgium Brussels Mission. She was born in Vallejo, California, to Norman Allen Sorensen and Mollie Rose Sorensen.

John A. Koranteng, 62, and Cynthia K. Koranteng, four children, Agbogba Ward, Accra Ghana Madina Stake: Rwanda Kigali Mission, succeeding President Christian Mavinga and Sister Mariam Mavinga. Brother Koranteng is an MTC branch president and former Area Seventy, stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, stake executive secretary and elders quorum presidency counselor. He was born in Hohoe, Ghana, to Joseph Kwame Koranteng and Mercy Adwoa Ababio.

Sister Koranteng is a stake Relief Society president and former ward Relief Society president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor and Primary teacher. She was born in Accra, Ghana, to Benjamin Amu Antah and Yvonne Darkowa Dodoo.

Lance A. Loveland, 54, and Laura Coltrin Loveland, five children, Burley 8th Ward, Burley Idaho Stake: Texas Fort Worth Mission, succeeding President Jarom L. John and Sister Jamie Joy John. Brother Loveland is a Young Men adviser and former stake president, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, ward Young Men presidency counselor, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Spain Madrid Mission. He was raised in Brigham City, Utah, by Clinton Ardel Loveland and Julie Ann Sievers Loveland.

Sister Loveland is a stake Young Women president and former ward Young Women president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Sunday School teacher and Young Women adviser. She was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, by Paul Ira Coltrin and Nancy Stallings Coltrin.

Luis Luna Luna, 49, and Carolina Xaltepec Jacinto de Luna, three children, Tetenco Ward, Nealtican México Stake: México Hermosillo Mission, succeeding President Luis G. Zapata and Sister Purisima Zapata. Brother Luna is a stake president and temple ordinance worker and former high councilor, bishop, institute teacher, seminary teacher and missionary in the México Tampico Mission. He was born in Nealtican, Mexico, to Filemon Luna Perez and Tomasa de Luna Luna.

Sister Luna is a temple ordinance worker and former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor and Primary teacher. She was born in Nealtican, Mexico, to Abel Xaltepec Tlatelpa and Marcelina de Xaltepec Jacinto.

Evgenii Markelov, 43, and Elena Markelova, three children, Volzhski Ward, Saratov Russia Stake: Russia Yekaterinburg Mission, succeeding President Roman Nabatnikov and Sister Elena Nabatnikova. Brother Markelov is a stake president and former mission presidency counselor, stake presidency counselor, district presidency counselor, branch president, Sunday School teacher, seminary teacher, institute teacher and missionary in the Russia Yekaterinburg Mission. He was born in Saratov, Russia, to Anatoly Nikolaevich Markelov and Lyubov Nikolaevna Sukhova.

Sister Markelova is a stake Young Women presidency counselor and former stake Young Women president, ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Relief Society teacher and missionary in the Russia Moscow West Mission. She was born in Saratov, Russia, to Sergey Nikolaevich Revyakin and Natalia Ebazerovna Revyakina Ganieva.

Pedro A. Miranda, 54, and María Ysabel Miranda, two children, California Ward, Trujillo Perú Central Stake: México Villahermosa Mission, succeeding President Pablo H. Chavez and Sister Eunice Chavez. Brother Miranda is an elders quorum president and former stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward Sunday School president, FSY representative and missionary in the Colombia Cali Mission. He was born in Marcona, Peru, to Hector Antonio Miranda Nieto and Azucena Georgina de Miranda Garcia.

Sister Miranda is a stake Primary music leader and Sunday School teacher and former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor, Sunday School teacher, institute teacher and FSY representative. She was born in Lima, Peru, to Oscar Marcos Machuca Uribe and Alejandra Julia de Machuca Rivas.

Jared A. Sasser, 57, and Nikkii T. Sasser, four children, Lake Mountain 1st Ward, Saratoga Springs Utah Lake Mountain Stake: Brazil Ribeirão Preto Mission, succeeding President Richard T. Denning and Sister Laurie L. Denning. Brother Sasser is a stake president and former high councilor, stake assistant clerk, bishop, bishopric counselor, ward clerk, Primary teacher, Sunday School teacher, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the Brazil São Paulo North Mission. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Denver Glendaire Sasser and Marlene Edel Sasser.

Sister Sasser is a temple ordinance worker and former stake Young Women president, YSA stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, stake Young Women camp director, ward Young Women camp director, ward Primary secretary, Primary teacher, Activity Days leader, nursery leader and missionary in the California Sacramento Mission. She was born in Hailey, Idaho, to Gavin Adair Van Hook and Corienne Dilworth Van Hook.

Darrell C. Sherman, 60, and Jane Sherman, four children, Hermosa Groves Ward, Mesa Arizona Citrus Heights Stake: Washington Everett Mission, succeeding President Dan Oakes and Sister Shannon Oakes. Brother Sherman is a stake president and former stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. He was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Clyde Roger Sherman and Lenora McCray Sherman.

Sister Sherman is a former ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward missionary, Young Women adviser and missionary in the California Fresno Mission. She was born in Salt Lake City to Taylor Skeen Merrill and Joan Buehner Merrill.

Laren R. Walker, 56, and Caralee H. Walker, seven children, Eagle 2nd Ward, Eagle Idaho Stake: Italy Rome Mission, succeeding President Timothy D. Morris and Sister Cindy S. Morris. Brother Walker is a stake president and former stake presidency counselor, high councilor, stake Young Men president, bishop, bishopric counselor, high priests group leader, scoutmaster and missionary in the Italy Milan Mission. He was born in Mesa, Arizona, to LeeRen L and Beverly Ray Walker.

Sister Walker is a ward communication specialist and former stake Young Women presidency secretary, ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society presidency secretary, Primary music leader, sign language interpreter, ward music chair and missionary in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission. She was born in Payson, Utah, to Royce Larry and Carolyn Child Hermansen.

Trevor Williams, 52, and Amy Williams, four children, Lakewood Ward, Arlington Washington Stake: Brazil Santa Maria Mission, succeeding President Kevin Whitaker and Sister Lori Whitaker. Brother Williams is an institute teacher and mission presidency counselor and former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, ward Young Men president, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Brazil Porto Alegre South Mission. He was born in Provo, Utah, to Richard Earl Williams and Elizabeth Joanne Boyd Williams.

Sister Williams is an institute teacher and former stake employment specialist, ward Primary president, ward Primary presidency counselor, ward missionary, Young Women adviser, Primary teacher, Relief Society teacher, seminary teacher, choir director and missionary in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. She was born in Seattle, Washington, to Jack Russell Jenkins and Margaret Ann Jenkins.

2025 new mission leadership assignments

Read about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

Elder Renlund’s talk summary

Dr. Craig H. Selzman is the first surgeon to hold the Dr. Russell M. Nelson and Dantzel W. Nelson presidential chair in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Utah. Days before he was appointed to the professorship in 2018, the surgeon made the decision that he must emulate Dr. Nelson’s respectful temperament.

“Dr. Selzman had intentionally improved his prior attitude and aspirations because his name was now linked to that of President Nelson.”

This experience showcases “at least five parallels to the process through which we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.” They are identification, remembrance, emulation, alignment and empowerment.

“When we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, we link our name with His. We identify with Him. We gladly become known as Christian.”

Partaking of the sacrament in remembrance of Christ’s Atonement helps one remember the Savior throughout the week.

As Christ’s disciples, “strive to become like Him and seek to be blessed with His attributes.” In doing so, willingly, intentionally and enthusiastically align one’s goals with His.

“When we take upon ourselves the name of the Savior, our Heavenly Father blesses us with His power to help us fulfill our mission in mortality.”

Read the full text of Elder Renlund’s talk: ‘Taking on the Name of Jesus Christ’

Notable quotes

“When we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, we link our name with His. We identify with Him. We gladly become known as Christian.”

“As His disciples, we … strive to become like Him and seek to be blessed with His attributes.”

“Come unto our Heavenly Father. Take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ. Identify with Him. Always remember Him. Strive to be like Him. Join Him in His work. Receive His power and blessings in your life.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder Renlund?

• Elder Dale G. Renlund was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 3, 2015. He had been a General Authority Seventy since 2009
• He was a professor of medicine at the University of Utah and medical director of the Utah Cardiac Transplant Program.
• Elder Renlund is the son of Swedish immigrants, served a mission in Sweden from 1972 to 1974, speaks Swedish and considers the country his “other homeland.”
• He met his wife, Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund, in his home ward in Salt Lake City. After mustering up the courage to ask her out, she said no. He was more successful when he tried again a few months later. They were married on June 16, 1977, in the Salt Lake Temple and are the parents of one daughter.

What has Elder Renlund done recently?

• In the April 2025 general conference, he spoke about following the Savior’s teachings to prepare for His Second Coming.
• At the 2025 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, he taught about putting on the armor of God.
• He traveled to Busan, South Korea, in May and taught youth about their divine worth and the importance of Jesus Christ’s Atonement.
• On April 20, Elder Renlund taught missionaries in the Church’s MTCs why Latter-day Saints celebrate Easter.
• He accompanied Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to an unveiling of a statue honoring Elder Eyring’s father at the University of Utah on April 18.

Read more of Elder Renlund’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X/Twitter.

October 2025 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

The session was conducted by President Dallin H. Oaks, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong and Elder D. Martin Goury, General Authority Seventies, gave the opening and closing prayers.

Music was provided by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, directed by Mack Wilberg, and accompanied by organists Richard Elliott and Brian Mathias.

Speakers

• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: ‘The Atoning Love of Jesus Christ’
• Elder James E. Evanson: ‘Go and Do Likewise’
• Elder Ulisses Soares: ‘Adorned With the Virtue of Temperance’
• Elder Peter M. Johnson: ‘The Power of Ministering to the One’
• Elder D. Todd Christofferson: ‘Look to God and Live’
• Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus: ‘Prophets of God’
• Elder Henry B. Eyring: ‘Proved and Strengthened in Christ’

October 2025 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

When it comes to President Russell M. Nelson’s relationship with the house of the Lord, a certain number of statistics come to mind.

During his ministry, he announced the locations of 200 new temples — more than any other latter-day Church president. In his lifetime, he dedicated five temples — including the Rome Italy Temple — and rededicated three. During his prophetic ministry, each member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated or rededicated at least one temple.

However, the most significant thing to remember is President Nelson’s steadfast and strong testimony of the temple and its centrality to the covenant path. He repeatedly invited members to receive the blessings that come from attending the temple on a regular basis.

“My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days,” he taught. “If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.”

The temple lies at the center of strengthening one’s faith and spiritual fortitude “because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple,” he said in his closing October 2021 general conference address, “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation.”

“Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ. His essential ordinances bind us to Him through sacred priesthood covenants. Then, as we keep our covenants, He endows us with His healing, strengthening power. And oh, how we will need His power in the days ahead.”

It seems ironic that a prophet who has announced the most temples of any Church president has dedicated relatively few of them. In fact, President Nelson has the lowest percentage of temple dedications done by any president of the Church in the latter days — less than 10% of the total temples dedicated during his administration.

As an Apostle, the first temple he dedicated was the Sapporo Japan Temple on Aug. 21, 2016. Before that, he’d rededicated the Nuku‘alofa Tonga Temple on Nov. 4, 2007.

During his presidency, he dedicated or rededicated six temples. The first temple he dedicated since he became President of the Church was the Concepción Chile Temple on Oct. 28, 2018.

Then on March 10, 2019, President Nelson dedicated the Rome Italy Temple, an event he described as “a hinge point in the history of the Church.” Notably, each member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was present.

And following its extensive renovations, he rededicated the Washington D.C. Temple on Aug. 14, 2022.

On April 21, 2024, President Nelson rededicated the Manti Utah Temple, one of the Church’s pioneer-era temples that he had directed for renovation.

And at age 100, President Nelson dedicated two houses of the Lord — the Deseret Peak Utah Temple on Nov. 10, 2024, and the Syracuse Utah Temple on June 8, 2025. The Deseret Peak dedication gave the Church 200 dedicated temples worldwide; Syracuse was No. 206.

President Nelson also presided at the groundbreaking services of two Utah temples that remain under construction — the Ephraim Utah Temple on Aug. 27, 2022, and the Heber Valley Utah Temple on Oct. 8, 2022.

During his tenure as President, a total of 49 temples were dedicated, and 18 were rededicated. In a historic first, each member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated or rededicated at least one temple during his administration.

Why delegate this task to them? Because watching his Brethren carry out the work of the Church across the globe brought him great joy, he said in a 2019 interview during a ministry stop in São Paulo, Brazil.

“Have you ever been a father and taken children on a fishing trip?” he asked. “Are you happy catching a fish? Are you happier watching your children catch a fish?”

In his closing address of the October 2022 general conference titled “Focus on the Temple,” President Nelson testified: “Let us never lose sight of what the Lord is doing for us now. He is making His temples more accessible. He is accelerating the pace at which we are building temples. He is increasing our ability to help gather Israel. He is also making it easier for each of us to become spiritually refined.

“I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.”

President Russell M. Nelson dies at 101

On the morning of April 6, 1984, Russell M. Nelson was making rounds at the hospital he worked at as a doctor when he was summoned to the phone. D. Arthur Haycock, the secretary of Church President Spencer W. Kimball, asked him to come by the office of the First Presidency.

“Of course, I’ll be happy to — but where is it?” he replied.

It wasn’t long before he would become more than familiar with the Church Administration Building and the offices within.

At that meeting, he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, filling a vacancy that had lasted more than a year following the death of Elder LeGrand Richards on Jan. 11, 1983. Elder Nelson was sustained during general conference on April 7, 1984, and ordained five days later on April 12.

President Russell M. Nelson dies at 101

In an interview with the Church News in 2015, President Nelson said that there was no way to describe that experience of being called as an Apostle. “It is the most sacred thing that can happen to a man in this life,” he said. “It is life-changing, yes. But, hopefully, he, in turn, will be able to change the lives of many other people toward the Lord. This is what we do. We are servants of the Lord.”

He would serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for 34 years. During this time, he fulfilled many assignments, including serving on the Church Board of Education, supervising the Church in Africa and Eastern Europe and dedicating or rededicating two temples.

During some of his first years as an Apostle, he served as an adviser to the Young Women organization and supported the development of the Young Women values and Personal Progress program. Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, Young Women general president at the time, wrote: “I learned from him the value of counseling together. He would ask significant questions and then listen and coach with encouragement.”

Following the deaths of three senior Apostles in 2015 — President Boyd K. Packer, Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder Richard G. Scott — President Nelson was called and sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Following this call, he reflected on the support he had received from other members of the quorum over the previous 31 years, noting his interactions with Elder Bruce R. McConkie in particular. “Occasionally, I would have an idea I wanted to discuss or had a question. I would knock on his door, and he was always gracious, always warmly welcoming.”

The other Apostles were equally compassionate and willing to share, President Nelson said. “We learned from one another. That continues. Even now, as I’m sitting in the quorum president’s chair, I go to my meetings early so I can learn from my Brethren. It’s not a matter of seniority. It’s a matter of spirit-to-spirit communication. It’s a glorious fringe benefit of this call to have the companionship of fellow Apostles and be taught by them.”

Perspective: 40 years, two special witnesses

What did the Prophet recently teach in general conference?

From 2022: President Nelson now the Church’s longest-living Apostle in the latter-day dispensation

From 2022: President Nelson is now the oldest President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

IBADAN NIGERIA STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Olusola Taiwo Ojo, 52, Transmission Company of Nigeria PLC principal manager; succeeding Akingbade Ademola Ojo; wife, Titilayo Alo Ojo. Counselors — Abiola Olasoji Aminu, 40, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion coordinator; wife, Adeyemi Abiodun Oshilaja Aminu. Sunday Olubunmi Orokunle, 53, Oyo Subeb head teacher; wife, Adijat Omowunmi Orokunle.

MCKINNEY TEXAS STAKE: (Aug. 10, 2025) President — Ellsworth Wayne McLaws Jr., 45, Boston Scientific territory manager; succeeding Tod Kent Richardson; wife, Brooke Elaine Jarman McLaws. Counselors — Craig Aaron Calhoun, 57, Sweet Cow Holdings LLC co-founder; wife, Mari Alice Brimhall Calhoun. David Dana Walters, 57, V2X Aerospace training manager; wife, Lisa Hale Walters.

RAINIER OREGON STAKE: (Aug. 10, 2025) President — Bradford Gary Siegman, 43, business owner; succeeding Patrick Gerald Opdahl; wife, Stephanie Lauren Fielding Siegman. Counselors — Lynn Lavern Jackson, 50, Astoria School District principal; wife, Dawn Hunter Jackson. Walter Marcus Farmer, 67, Clatskanie People’s Utility District general manager/CEO; wife, Julie Kay Despain Farmer.

SÃO PAULO BRAZIL FRANCO DA ROCHA STAKE: (June 29, 2025) President — Hector Jose Rivero, 40, Foundever backoffice; succeeding Paulo Henrique Sabino Ferreira; wife, Diana Carolina Rivas Gutierrez de Rivero. Counselors — Leles Pedro Dos Santos Jr., 43, Primorex operations manager; wife, Cristina Freitas de Santana Santos. Mauro de Oliveira Correa, 34, OSF Digital SA project manager; wife, Jheniffer Valéria Luca Correa.

SÃO PAULO BRAZIL PERDIZES STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Marcos Paulo Borges da Silva, 38, Ocean Network Express regional HR supervisor for Latin America; succeeding Tarcísio Brugnerotto Malaquias; wife, Emanuela Rodrigues Alves Borges. Counselors — Cleyfer Franco Reishoffer, 65, retired; wife, Elizabeth Braga Willmann Reishoffer. Guilherme Moura Loureiro, 38; wife, Monire Caroline Da Silva Loureiro.

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA FAIRFIELD STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Tevita ‘Ofa Helu Amone, 45, self-employed business owner; succeeding Sione Tatafu Angakehe Liutai; wife, Akenese Fagalilo Amone. Counselors — Andrew John Bathgate Curtis, 50; wife, Marii Mizuno Curtis. Tevita Folau, 41, NSW Department of Education learning support teacher; wife, Lilipeti Leiola Mateaki He Lotu Hehepoto Folau.

Learn about other recently called leaders of temples, missions, stakes and more

Aug. 1 marks several leadership changes

BARRIE ONTARIO STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Perry Adam McLaren, 44, Upper Grand District School Board teacher; succeeding Robert Matthew Chaggares; wife, Rebecca Erin Puddicombe McLaren. Counselors — Alejandro Gabriel Padron Mantero, 54, Century 21 Millennium Inc. realtor; wife, Silvana Canavesi Padron. Russell Ammon Atkins, 48, Bruce Power lead auditor; wife, Tricia Leigh-Ann Davison Atkins.

DIBINDI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO STAKE: (June 22, 2025) President — Yves K. Kabangu, 42, self-reliance manager; succeeding Kabemba Faustin Nyembo; wife, Davina Kabangu Bilonda. Counselors — Fuende Bowell Mutondo, 37, MAMB Services regional manager; wife, Rachel Masengu Kabamba Mutondo. Kalamba Louis-Michel Ngindu, 49, OVDA department head and independent medical health center manager, A1 nurse; wife, Nathalie Kanyeba Kalamba.

DOVER DELAWARE STAKE: (Aug. 10, 2025) President — Byron Craig Peacock, 47, JPMorgan Chase Bank VP compliance manager; succeeding Christopher Frank Smith; wife, Kristin Rachelle Bertagnole Peacock. Counselors — Steffan Paul Williams, 41, BSC Analytics delivery owner; wife, Caryn Joy Bingham Williams. Benjamin Ashby Smyth, 45, McCarter & English, LLP partner; wife, Stacy Ann Wilson Smyth.

HIGHLANDS RANCH COLORADO STAKE: (Aug. 10, 2025) President — David Smith Chipman, 61, Chipman Glasser LLC lawyer; succeeding Jeffrey Blaine Whipple; wife, Lisa Ann Burgoyne Chipman. Counselors — Jeffrey Lyle Cutler, 54, ENT Specialists of the Rockies otolaryngologist; wife, Kristi Brooke Buchanan Cutler. Jason Lynn Hansen, 51, RevGen Partners president and CFO; wife, Mindi Ina Hobbs Hansen.

LIBERTY MISSOURI STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Matthew Aaron Russell, 47, self-employed dentist/owner; succeeding Michael Thurston Beach; wife, Heidi Paula Stansbury Russell. Counselors — Randall Scott Cramer, 49, North Kansas City Hospital/Meritas Health physician; wife, Rosalyn Rebecca Connell Cramer. Matthew Brody Perschon, 43, Fidelity Investments vice president; wife, Amy Geaneen Blauer Perschon.

NEIAFU VAVA’U TONGA WEST STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — ‘Amanakilelei Funaki, 41, Poetcom organic adviser/auditor; succeeding Siale Matavaha ‘Eliesa; wife, Toatepi Patolo Funaki. Counselors — ‘Inoke Fonovai Hausia, 36, fisherman; wife, ‘Ileini Leanani Fangaake Hausia; Piuela Tupa, 52; wife, Kulueli Moli Tupa.

MOSCOW RUSSIA STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Andrey Vladimirovich Bozhenov, 42, operations manager; succeeding Vladimir Nikolaevich Astashov; wife, Olga Aleksandrovna Marfitsyna Bozhenova. Counselors — Valeriy Grigor’evich Gents, 56; wife, Nadezhda Borisovna Babkina Gents; Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Kuptsov, 35; wife, Natalya Vyacheslavovna Mitina Kuptsova.

SAVAII SAMOA WEST STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Mareko Lamositele, 62, former CES full-time employee; succeeding Faafouina Mu’a; wife, Soo Seumanutafa Lamositele. Counselors — Oreni Maifala, 45; wife, Talalelei Ausage Maifala. Kelly Afualo, 52; wife, Mesepa Afualo.

TARAVAO TAHITI STAKE: (June 22, 2025) President — Vatea Ramon Chevrier, 42, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seminary and institute coordinator; succeeding Rupe Parker; wife, Vaite Bennett Chevrier. Counselors — Johny Manoa Chung, 49, Commune de Taiarapu-est deputy head of fire and rescue center; wife, Mareva Louisa Emma Garbutt Chung. Ridgie Marurai, 31, SISAE Te Ui Rau teaching assistant; wife, Teanau Melissa Loana Renvoye Marurai.

Learn about other recently called leaders of temples, missions, stakes and more

Aug. 1 marks several leadership changes

New stakes

A new stake has been created from the Eagle Pass Texas District. The Amistad Texas Stake, which consists of the Carrizo Springs, Cotulla and Del Rio 3rd (Spanish) branches and the Del Rio 1st, Eagle Pass, Hondo and Uvalde wards, was created by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, General Authority Seventy, and Elder Guillermo Rojas, an Area Seventy.

AMISTAD TEXAS STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Brady Lee Williams, 54, certified registered nurse anesthetist; wife, Amy Adams Williams. Counselors — Dennis Mario Russo, 58, former U.S. Border Patrol agent; wife, Virginia Rodriguez Russo. Scott Harry Fieber, 37, Cook Solutions Group chief strategy officer, Unlimit-Aid managing partner and Short Game Golf Academy co-founder; wife, Brooke Yvonne Baird Fieber.

A new stake has been created from the Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake. The Kananga Democratic Republic of the Congo Nganza Stake, which consists of the Katuishi, Malandji 1st, Muimba, Nganza 1st, Nganza 2nd and Nkonko wards, was created by Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier, General Authority Seventy, and Elder Mees Bulang-C. Tshiband, an Area Seventy.

KANANGA DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO NGANZA STAKE: (June 15, 2025) President — Mulamba Donatien Makolo, 50, university assistant; wife, Kelly Ntambue Kanku. Counselors — Mufuta Clément Kande, 29, Protestant school English teacher; wife, BenaLuabu Godeliève Mufuta. Beya Tshipamba Isidore, 39, Congolese state education teacher; wife, Tshiyoyo Beya Véronique.

A new stake has been created from the Siniloan Philippines District. The Siniloan Philippines Stake, which consists of the Infanta Branch and Pakil 1st, Pakil 2nd, Santa Maria, Siniloan 1st and Siniloan 2nd wards, was created by Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., General Authority Seventy, and Elder Jaime N. Rivera Jr., an Area Seventy.

SINILOAN PHILIPPINES STAKE: (June 22, 2025) President — Franco Patana Cajumban, 34, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation Inc. executive administrator and HR specialist; wife, Janelle Nicerio Bigay Cajumban. Counselors — Arbin Molleno Sarmiento, 51, Department of Education principal; wife, Julie Caidic Cadapan Sarmiento. Benjamin Agena Serrano Jr., 52, Menser Transient House owner; wife, Argene Adricula Mendez Serrano.

Reorganized stakes

ANTOFAGASTA CHILE LA PORTADA STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — José Miguel Palma Correa, 40, Komatsu Holding South America Ltda. regional deputy manager of warranties and campaigns; succeeding David Andres Reyes Torres; wife, Hellen Mariana Trigo Alfaro. Counselors — Ricardo Carlos Almeida Nuñez, 46, Indebco commercial manager; wife, Paula Andrea de Almeida Palma. Oscar Andres Becerra Gonzalez, 41, Servicio de Salud Antofagasta organizational development head and private practice clinical therapist for Family Services; wife, Alexandra Berta Becerra Layseca Sancho.

AUGUSTA MAINE STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — David Budge Hyde, 57, VA Medical Center physician; succeeding Richard Jensen Taylor; wife, Betsey Damon Hyde. Counselors — John Edward McNaughton, 58, FMI president; wife, Sarah Frances Myers McNaughton. Clinton Barrett Beveridge, 46, Town of Camden code officer; wife, Michelle Jeanne Roy Beveridge.

BETIM BRAZIL STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Cristiano de Freitas Moreira, 47, self-employed professor; succeeding Marcelo Duarte Jacinto; wife, Marta Clemilda Alves Da Silva Moreira. Counselors — Eudermes Eustáquio de Almeida, 49, Caixa Econômica Federal software developer; wife, Alessandra Aparecida Pires de Almeida. Thiago Duarte Campinho, 38, Campinho Individual Law Firm CEO and attorney; wife, Dayanne Luciana de Avelar Campinho.

CAGAYAN DE ORO PHILIPPINES STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — Joel Fabre Marcaida, 50, Fast Logistics Corp. branch manager/sales manager; succeeding Edwin Cantor Sacay; wife, Charisse Sasing Porpor Marcaida. Counselors — Joseph Mabunay Baculio, 46, Regent Foods Corporation sales manager; wife, Miralona Abragan Badoles Baculio. Vergel Gallana Remadavia, 39, Snack Center owner and Spring Board student support for registration BYU–Pathway Worldwide; wife, Mary Shayne Yuraba Corpuz Remadavia.

CAMPINAS BRAZIL BANDEIRANTES STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Everton de Souza Nascimento, 35, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints administrative assistant; succeeding Francisco Rodrigues de Souza; wife, Kátia Regina Lima Corrêa Nascimento. Counselors — Adonias Lima Da Silva, 40, Bray Americas Manufacturing Center Ltda quality engineer; wife, Miriam Almeida Da Silva. Wilson Alves Fernandes, 43, Campinas Municipal Public Servants Association administrative assistant; wife, Natalia Cristina Zanata.

CATARMAN PHILIPPINES STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Jay Baluyot Magalang, 42, Provincial Government of Northern Samar tax mapper; succeeding Amado Ebdane Estonanto; wife, Kristhel Casiñas Dorias Magalang. Counselors — Russell Duran Rojo, 50, Philippines National Police investigator; wife, Jeanette Nuez Jumadiao Rojo. Richard Olayer Gesulga, 44, City Savings Bank manager; wife, Edna Carias Visaya Gesulga.

COALVILLE UTAH STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Joshua Noble Richins, 50, Allied Mechanical owner; succeeding Jeffrey Vern Young; wife, Terri Wilde Richins. Counselors — Michael Frank Brown, 53, Brown Dairy owner; wife, Lisa Maree Toole Brown. Bart Bullock Thiriot, 62, Altitude Home Concierge property manager; wife, Wendy Dee Adamson Thiriot.

DERBY KANSAS STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Kip Lamar Kimball, 48, Koch Engineered Solutions vice president of finance; succeeding Stephen Maxwell Daley; wife, Alisha Broadhead Kimball. Counselors — Benjamin Richard Pieper, 45, self-employed business owner; wife, Jamie Christine Pokorny Pieper. Jared Troy Mortensen, 46, Real Men Apparel Co. owner and chief designer; wife, Jill Banks Mortensen.

GENERAL SANTOS PHILIPPINES STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Alexander Yumol Benedicto, 50, AJ and J Marine Supplies and Equipment owner; succeeding Michael Quiaoit Garcia; wife, Jackie May Tibungcog Quinco Benedicto. Counselors — Ruel Broces Herezo, 63, former oil berth operator and oil inspector; wife, Maria Luzviminda Delos Reyes Tagle Herezo. Danilo Delos Santos Baricar, 41, DB Mjolnir Construction general manager; wife, Fritze Ritze Sabordo Pajela Baricar.

GILBERT ARIZONA STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Jeremy Scott Geigle, 50, Jackson White managing shareholder; succeeding Bradley Allen Tinker; wife, Jill Marie Farnsworth Geigle. Counselors — Jason Knapp Judd, 47, Arizona Family and Kids Dental and Judd Orthodontics owner; wife, Tina Kay Heath Judd. John Gale Arnett, 49, Farnsworth Construction Company president; wife, Brittany Marie Ahlstrom Arnett.

KANANGA DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO STAKE: (June 15, 2025) President — Tshisungu Cosmas Kankonde, 33, entrepreneur; succeeding Mulamba Donatien Makolo; wife, Milolo Juliette Kumuamba Kankonde. Counselors — Kanyinda Norbert Kanyinda, 36, Université de Kananga teacher; wife, Agnes Luebe Dikebele. Jean Pierre Tshibuyi Musangu, 36, former National Ministry of Finance monitoring and evaluation coordinator; wife, Tubajika Mariette Ntumba.

KISSY SIERRA LEONE STAKE: (June 15, 2025) President — Rashid Smart, 48, Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre senior finance administrator; succeeding Idrissa Turay; wife, Sia Molai Smart. Counselors — Allieu Sahr Sellu, 43, Kumba R. Kalilu managing director; wife, Christiana Nafiesatu Kokofele Sellu. George Coker Jr., 31, LAPO Microfinance Bank S.L. Ltd. performance manager; wife, Tina Gbondo Coker.

LAKEWOOD WASHINGTON STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Johnson Wen-Tai Chang, 54, Department of Defense-Army supervisory psychologist; succeeding David Mark K Danielson; wife, Alisha Pixton Chang. Counselors — Jason Lamar Pace, 52, JNA Networking Services Inc. president; wife, Jamie Jo Stevens Pace. Zachary Dale Truscott, 40, ArenaNet director of production; wife, Janalee Christensen Truscott.

LAWTON OKLAHOMA STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Tiboah Ofe, 40, Kalco Machine and Manufacturing Company computer and information system manager; succeeding Brian Lane Blaisdell Gladwell; wife, Bernice Kwakye-Andoh Ofe. Counselors — Chad Edward Halverstadt, 38, CAE USA instructor pilot; wife, Cara Lynn Hervey Halverstadt. Alexander Neil Smith, 43, rancher; wife, Emily Marlene Brough Smith.

LETHBRIDGE ALBERTA YSA STAKE: (June 22, 2025) President — Bruce William Stewart, 52, Rebound Management Group physiotherapist and director; succeeding Stuart James Morgan; wife, Amy Suzanne Price Stewart. Counselors — Lorne Steele Atwood, 61, Lethbridge Polytechnic chair and instructor; wife, Annette Johnson Atwood. Hunter Bruce Heggie, 56, Heggie Developments Ltd. president; wife, Carol Jean Pizzingrilli Heggie.

LIMA PERÚ SANTA PATRICIA STAKE: (April 27, 2025) President — Marco Antonio Silva Torres, 54, Tecnológica de Alimentos S.A. internal supply central manager; succeeding Alfredo Fidel Altamirano Linares; wife, Sheyla Ofelia Herrera Linares de Silva. Counselors — Juan Alberto Quiroz Paredes, 55, Special Projects Department project manager; wife, Olga Angela Leon Torres de Quiroz. Marco Antonio Sánchez Herrera, 49, Polysistemas Corp innovation solutions product manager; wife, Diana Delinda Briceño Zapata de Sánchez.

LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — McKay Leland Hugentobler, 55, podiatrist; succeeding Jared Adam Dixon; wife, Cori Lyman Hugentobler. Counselors — David Brit Warner, 51, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences director of cornea service; wife, Ceanne Hardman Warner. Larry David Hartzell, 49, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences professor of otolaryngology; wife, Holly Ann Cornia Hartzell.

MONROVIA LIBERIA STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Gabriel Godwin Nwainokpor, 52, self-employed CEO; succeeding Augustine S. Geedeh; wife, Krubo Ninee Vaziema Kollie Nwainokpor. Counselors — David Tisoh Lafayette, 35, Maretha College of Professional Studies and Maretha International Preparatory High School accountant; wife, Benjalyn Bendu Stanley Lafayette. Prince Owah Dolo, 55, GOL supervisor; wife, Bendu Dempster Dolo.

NIBLEY UTAH STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Brent Richard Skinner, 45, retired; succeeding William Dan Farnsworth; wife, Breanne Smith Skinner. Counselors — Dennis Jeffrey Nielsen, 58, Spartronics director of engineering; wife, Cressent Rupp Nielsen. Aaron Larry Gillingham, 52, Top Job Asphalt sales employee; wife, Sydnee Olson Gillingham.

PAGO PAGO SAMOA STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Robert Lloyd Max Toelupe, 47, US Department of Veterans Affairs director of Vet Center Program; succeeding Michael Barry Lavea; wife, Bethany Malae Toelupe. Counselors — Penaia Faalii, 50, American Samoa Power Authority FSM manager; wife, Zarahemla Saraemila Mamea Faalii. Lotoa Lotoa Jr., 37, Department of Education special education teacher; wife, Katherine Asiasiga Lama Lotoa.

PISCO PERÚ STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Pedro Jesus Bravo España, 34, FamilySearch field relation manager; succeeding Edgardo Aguilar Huallpa; wife, Milagros Rosario de Bravo Gomez. Counselors — Hector Armando Balarezo Ramos, 45, Agrilor SAC administrative manager; wife, Ada Betzabeth de Balarezo Pachas. Benjamin Franklin Saldaña Armejo, 43, Wow Perú commercial adviser; wife, Liliana Esperanza de Saldaña Lisma.

PUNAAUIA TAHITI STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — Raimanutea Jean-Hubert Matahi Laughlin, 34, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facilities manager; succeeding Steeve Raiarii Tchan; wife, Hinerava Mareihau Petis Laughlin. Counselors — Johann Bruno Tchan, 47, temple recorder; wife, Krystel Mere Rava Cao Tchan. Teiva Garry Mollon, 54, Directorate of Taxes and Public Contributions tax controller.

REXBURG IDAHO YSA 9TH STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Matthew Preston Traynor, 48, ophthalmologist; succeeding Rodney Harold Hillam; wife, Ann Melinda Jensen Traynor. Counselors — Joseph Redford Liljenquist, 52, orthopedic surgeon; wife, Wendy Marie Turley Liljenquist. Bradley Alan Call, 52, Five 9s Communications partner and Reef Capital Partners business development; wife, Leslie Ann Palmer Call.

RIO RANCHO NEW MEXICO STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Joseph Donald Tarry, 54, TXNM Energy president and chief operating officer; succeeding Casey Craig Allman; wife, Jennifer Marquelle Cook Tarry. Counselors — Gregory John Jorgensen, 62, Jorgensen Orthodontics owner; wife, Cheryl Helen Ferjo Jorgensen. Peter Elrond Galbraith, 45, BetterRX chief technology officer; wife, Amanda Joy Bowerman Galbraith.

SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA EAST STAKE (TONGAN): (May 4, 2025) President — Vasiteni Jay Teaupa, 48, Knorr-Bresme test and commissioning manager; succeeding Paula Salesi Tonga; wife, Angelica Vanessa Baron Teaupa. Counselors — Clint Namath Schaumkel, 49, Enterprise Holdings sales manager; wife, Ilaisaane Palutea Melissa Kongaika Schaumkel. Siosifa Tanginoa ‘Aholelei, 44, Redwood City operator; wife, Enilose Moala ‘Aholelei.

SPANISH FORK UTAH EAST STAKE: (June 8, 2025) President — Rohan Kent Shearer, 53, Sbarro senior vice president and chief administrative officer; succeeding Sean Romney Dixon; wife, Jenifer Ann Halliday Shearer. Counselors — Morgan Travis Fife, 46, Anderson, Fife, Marshall & Johnson partner; wife, Jennifer Lyn Craven Fife. Corey Andrew Heaps, 53, Wolverine Fuels general manager of safety; wife, Diane Budge Heaps.

ST. GALLEN SWITZERLAND STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — Todd Merrill Cheney, 41, UBS head of data, AI and strategy compliance; succeeding Christian Bolt; wife, Christina Susanne Klaumünzner Cheney. Counselors — Sandro Kriesch, 58, Acrisure Re head of ILS and managing director; wife, Amanda Eckart Kriesch. Simon Charly Sunke, 41, Swiss49 senior software developer and Procamed IT solutions product specialist; wife, Ronja Marie Pilz Sunke.

TARIJA BOLIVIA TABLADITA STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Juan Carlos Mendoza, 39, Farmedical Corp. regional manager; succeeding Nelson Dario Landivar Vallejos; wife, Evelin de Mendoza Plata. Counselors — Gonzalo Garzón Torrejón, 41, State Housing Agency construction inspector; wife, Paola Carola de Garzon Cornejo. Jose Abdul Sullca Contreras, 31, Bloom quoting specialist; wife, Victoria Margarita Balcazar Rivera.

TEGUCIGALPA HONDURAS LA ESPERANZA STAKE: (June 15, 2025) President — Luris Francisco Posso Matamoros, 46, automotive repair shop owner; succeeding Norman Alexander Pineda Carbajal; wife, Reina Lolita Cartagena Guifarro de Posso. Counselors — Kevin Alexander Lovo Maradiaga, 37, Smile Solutions owner and manager; wife, Marlyn Sarahi Galindo Matute de Lovo. Marvin Eduardo Espinal Velasquez, 35, CNC Construction supervisor; wife, Mirian Carolina Nuñez de Espinal.

YENAGOA NIGERIA STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Simeon Beinbein, 48, Post Primary Schools’ Board classroom teacher; succeeding Jonah Akekere; wife, Tari Dick Beinbein. Counselors — Tamaradenyefa Ejigue, 40, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital staff nurse; wife, Faith Omasan Ogbeyiwa Ejigue. Vincent Vincent Isaac, 32, self-employed agency banker and farmer; wife, Hope Azik Isaac.

Learn about other recently called leaders of temples, missions, stakes and more

New stake

A new stake has been created from the Yaoundé Cameroon District. The Yaoundé Cameroon Stake, which consists of the Biyem-Assi, Messassi, Obili and Soa branches and the Anguissa, Bastos, Ekounou, Eleveur and Mimboman wards, was created by Elder Paul B. Pieper, a General Authority Seventy, and Elder Charden Ndinga, an Area Seventy.

YAOUNDÉ CAMEROON STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Pascal Thierry Onana, 36, agricultural entrepreneur; wife, Sylviane Onana. Counselors — Francky Ludovic Ntyam Adjomo, 35, Ets Ludaim CEO; wife, Melanie Gisele Aimée Bella Ntyam Adjomo. Samuel Claver Osse, 30, Springboard success manager and Interweave Solutions success ambassador; wife, Isatu Aminata Conteh Osse.

From few to thousands: The first stake in central African country of Cameroon is organized

Reorganized stakes

APOPA EL SALVADOR STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Ricardo Aaron Guevara Arevalo, 42, Multi Inversiones Mi Banco banking process technician; succeeding Rudis Antonio Ruiz; wife, Evelyn Astrid Deras Navarro de Guevara. Counselors — Omar Alexander Muñoz Mena, 43, Seguridad Integral human resources coordinator; wife, Sandra Jeanmileth Diaz Conrado de Muñoz. Jose Wilfredo Jovel, 54, self-employed; wife, Sara Jeannette Gomez Rivera de Jovel.

FARMINGTON UTAH STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Clark Feller Caldwell, 54, DSV Air & Sea sales director; succeeding Robert Murray Wilkes; wife, Jewalene Hartley Caldwell. Counselors — Michael Irvin Poulter, 59, Bank of Montreal managing director; wife, Heidi Richards Poulter. Timothy Dell Nichols, 47, Workman Nydegger shareholder and University of Utah adjunct professor; wife, Trudy Amanda Groll Nichols.

GUATEMALA CITY SAN CRISTÓBAL STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — Luis Alberto Ochoa Regalado, 44, SPD construction project manager; succeeding Cesar Alejandro Morales Folgar; wife, Heder Madahi Echeverria Escobar de Ochoa. Counselors — Elvis Estuardo Zepeda Ramirez, 38, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints area engineer; wife, Sofia Mayari Ibañez Lopez de Zepeda. William Ernesto González Castañeda, 52, project manager; wife, Valerie Marie López Yalibat de González.

HONOLULU HAWAII WEST STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Dennis Takashi Fujii, 51, United States Army physician; succeeding Taran Kealakai Hing Fee Chun; wife, Nyree Lynn Fox Fujii. Counselors — Ryan Fisher, 40, United States Air Force national security law attorney; wife, Cherisse Leann Marks Fisher. Mark Kalaionamaunahuihui Ellis, 56, Brigham Young University–Hawaii adjunct faculty and Polynesian Cultural Center director of voyaging experiences; wife, Kristin Kehaulani Bell Ellis.

LA CEIBA HONDURAS STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Luis Carlos Salazar Giron, 45, Leyde junior auditor; succeeding Mauro Alberto Moncada Almendarez; wife, Selene Molina Haylock de Salazar. Counselors — Jorge Fertinando Romero Gutiérrez, 53, AAA Autoparts store manager; wife, Iris Yolanda Cáceres Galindo de Romero. Oscar Fernando Bueso Lozano, 40, Atec Suministros S.A. sales manager; wife, Cintia Gissela Velasquez Romero.

MÉXICO CITY TACUBAYA STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — Juan Carlos Moreno Soriano, 41, Liverpool commercial planning coordinator; succeeding Marco Antonio Barrera Noriega; wife, Rocio Martinez Garcia. Counselors — Marco Antonio Avila Velazquez, 47, independent company manager; wife, Deyanira Valderrabano Navarro de Avila. Jorge Alberto Perez Samperio, 49, general surgeon; wife, Karla Eunice Bojorquez Gutierrez.

MÉXICO CITY TECAMAC STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — Sergio Ivan Valdez Reyes, 37, Siigo Aspel customer trainer; succeeding Arturo Martinez Escamilla; wife, Maria Natividad Santillan Macias. Counselors — Victor Manuel Montero German, 40, lawyer; wife, Deniss Camberos Huerta. Leonardo Guerrero Hernandez, 30, project manager; wife, Maribel Lizbeth Salinas Zaragoza.

OLATHE KANSAS STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Ryan Joseph Call, 44, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple recorder; succeeding Eric Bradley Gillis; wife, Bethany Mae Peck Call. Counselors — Ryan Keith Beasley, 47, ProTransport/Shamrock Trading director of sales and operations; wife, Debra Maria Hall Beasley. Sergio Andres Aguilar Umpierrez, 40, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigator; wife, Ashley Renee Blackburn Aguilar.

PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Peter Francis Spencer, 45, attorney; succeeding Walter Vlademar Rehon; wife, Erin Lea Waite Spencer. Counselors — Travis William Ferrell, 46, HotelAVE vice president of compliance and accounting; wife, Tamara Weight Ferrell. Brian Kent Hadley, 50, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth director of facilities services; wife, April Dawn Blake Hadley.

RICHMOND VIRGINIA STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Justin Ronald Wilkins, 46, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion area director; succeeding Shane Timothy Holdaway; wife, Amber Judith Wood Wilkins. Counselors — Theodore Herbert Lansing II, 46, entrepreneur; wife, Joy Engebretsen Lansing. David Jonathan Jacobs, 48, Virginia Eye Institute vitreoretinal surgeon and partner; wife, Jennifer Stier Jacobs.

SALT LAKE MILLCREEK STAKE: (June 1, 2025) President — Zerin Dixon Brewer, 47, Navitaire director of software development; succeeding Ammon Hyrum Harris; wife, Jillyn Dalton Brewer. Counselors — Laurence Jacinto Clifford, 52, RC Willey sales manager; wife, Sabrina Holyoak Clifford. Manuel Jesus Cabezas Ochoa, 32, HI-IQ LLC chief business development officer and HI-IQ Solutions LLC CEO; wife, Sarah Diwslly Quiroz Bracamontes.

SANTIAGO CHILE LAS CONDES STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Rene Andres Ovalle Gutierrez, 49, management control auditor and AIEP University Andres Bello part-time professor; succeeding Gabriel Andres Campos Lopez; wife, Claudia Cristina Castro Cardenas. Counselors — Osman Adan Olivares Gatica, 39, Chilean Ministry of Health National Reference Program for Mental Health in the Workplace employee; wife, Maria Jose Loreto Manriquez Mena. Fabian Natanael Serradell Diaz, 39, Deloitte senior consultant; wife, Paula Daniela Ceballos Pino.

SÃO FILIPE CAPE VERDE STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Vlademir Fernandes Andrade de Barros, 39, Câmara Municipal de Santa Catarina do Fogo superior technician; succeeding António Eduardo Pires; wife, Catelina Pina de Barros Andrade. Counselors — Emanuel de Barros Andrade, 37, civil engineer; wife, Elrronise Samila Barbosa Vicente Andrade. Carlos Alberto De Pina Leite, 35, self-employed electrician; wife, Aleida Sofia Gomes Barros Andrade Leite.

SÃO PAULO BRAZIL MOGI DAS CRUZES STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — Renato Senna Galbes, 38, Premier Prime Assessoria Condominial managing partner; succeeding Thiago Godofredo Reis Lacerda; wife, Ana Paula Motta de Almeida Galbes. Counselors — Erik Cava Hein, 41, mechanical engineer; wife, Fernanda Helena Pauluci Da Silva. Mauro Adilson Batista Leal, 49, businessman; wife, Cristiane Aparecida da Silva Leal.

SÃO VICENTE BRAZIL SERRA DO MAR STAKE: (March 16, 2025) President — Samuel Medina Fonseca, 41, Prefeitura de São Paulo specialized educational service teacher; succeeding Silvio Roberto Barra Sol; wife, Marilia Braga Catarino Fonseca. Counselors — Adriano Cavalcante Castro, 53, mathematical electrical engineer; wife, Patricia Costa Castro. Giuliano de Souza dos Santos, 44, self-employed driver; wife, Viviane Souza da Cruz Santos.

SPARKS NEVADA WEST STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Clinton Brooks Robinson, 49, UPS Northern Nevada sales manager; succeeding Martin Lyel Mueller; wife, Angela Noel Abbott Robinson. Counselors — Dale Lee Moss, 56, Bishop Manogue High School teacher and coach; wife, Shaun Mari English Moss. Derek Stratford Allen, 50, general contractor; wife, Mitzi Krivanek Allen.

Learn about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

Robert Wyatt Powell and Lisa Marie Spaulding Powell, Beverly Ward, Whittier California Stake, called as president and matron of the new Yorba Linda California Temple. President Powell is a temple sealer and elders quorum president; and a former Korea Busan Mission interim president, stake president, bishop and bishopric counselor. He was born in Lynwood, California, to Robert Kenneth Powell and Judith Sharron Powell.

Sister Powell is a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker; and a former interim mission president companion, ward Relief Society president, seminary teacher and JustServe specialist. She was born in Los Angeles, California, to Michael Lawrence Spaulding and Judith Lea McClelland.

2025 new temple leadership assignments

Learn about the history and stories of the temples of the Church in the Church News Almanac

Learn about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

*new temple

Africa Central Area

Africa South Area

Africa West Area

Asia Area

Asia North Area

Brazil Area

Canada Area

Caribbean Area

Central America Area

Europe Central Area

Europe North Area

Mexico Area

North America Central Area

North America Northeast Area

North America Southeast Area

North America Southwest Area

North America West Area

Pacific Area

Philippines Area

South America Northwest Area

South America South Area

Utah Area

A previous version of this story placed the Kyiv Ukraine Temple in the wrong area of the Church. It is located in the Europe North Area.

Learn about the history and stories of the temples of the Church in the Church News Almanac

Read about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

New stakes

A new stake has been created from the Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo District. The Matadi Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake, which consists of the Buima 1st, Buima 2nd, Matadi, Mvuzi, Nzanza 1st and Nzanza 2nd branches, was created by Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, a General Authority Seventy, and Elder David Ngabizele, an Area Seventy.

MATADI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Wa Kadima Paul Kadima, 39, Complexe Scolaire Merode school principal; wife, Anouska Tukebana Lumbu. Counselors — Mukiese Dady Tekasala, 30, private school teacher; wife, Fravine Yimbu Dimbu. Moupepe Adelard Konde, 53, Congolese Armed Forces personnel chief; wife, Helene Alele Mouzala.

A new stake has been created from the Orem Utah Cherry Hill, Orem Utah Geneva Heights, Orem Utah Hillcrest, Orem Utah Lakeview, Orem Utah Sharon Park, Orem Utah Suncrest, Vineyard Utah Springwater and Vineyard Utah stakes. The Orem Utah Mountain View Stake (Spanish), which consists of the Cherry Hill 8th, Geneva Heights 1st, Hillcrest 9th, Lakeview 11th, Sharon Park 13th, Springwater 3rd, Suncrest 8th and Vineyard 7th wards, was created by Elder Hugo E. Martínez, a General Authority Seventy, and Elder Martín P. Fernández, an Area Seventy.

OREM UTAH MOUNTAIN VIEW STAKE (SPANISH): (April 13, 2025) President — Malcolm Miguel Botto, 51, Brigham Young University-Provo coordinator for international study programs and adjunct instructor of K’iche’ and Tulane University director and adjunct lecturer of K’iche’ Summer Language Program; wife, Astrid Zussett Urizar Fernandez. Counselors — Reynaldo Peñaranda Salazar, 55, Young Living Essential Oils shipping associate; wife, Ingrid Rojas Flores de Peñaranda. Miguel Angel Lee, 39, JetBlue IT analyst; wife, Vanessa Delgado Aurazo Lee.

Reorganized stakes

AMERICAN FORK UTAH EAST STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Donald Dunlap Bennion, 46, Adobe senior director of strategy; succeeding David Kartchner Hafen; wife, Amy Mellissa Petersen Bennion. Counselors — Morgan Laker Cummings, 44, Brigham Young University adjunct professor and Lehi City judge; wife, Kathleen Erin Eddy Cummings. Rodney Glen Jackson, 48, Rocketship Inc. director of finance, Equity Real Estate Results real estate agent, and Rustic Log Furniture of Utah Inc. owner and president; wife, Kimberly Lois Bugg Jackson.

ARARAQUARA BRAZIL STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — Diogo Augusto Pezzoti Frediani, 42, Farmácia Manipulação Animal microentrepreneur and Laboratório de Análises Clínicas São Lucas human resources coordinator; succeeding Otavio Pimentel Martins; wife, Thays Bocchi Morales Frediani. Counselors — Danilo Pacheco Villani, 45, physician; wife, Lia Silva Martins Villani. Cristian Fernando Marmorato de Oliveira, 43, Marmorato dental prosthesis laboratory owner; wife, Mayara Ramos Oisi Oliveira.

BELLEVUE WASHINGTON STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Andrew Wesley Stacey, 42, University of Washington School of Medicine associate professor of ophthalmology; succeeding Jared Michael Spataro; wife, Lauren McCann Stacey. Counselors — Cory Thomas Hrncirik, 47, Microsoft director; wife, Rachelle Harmon Hrncirik. Kevin Michael Brown, 47, dentist; wife, Patricia Ann Bodell Brown.

BLANDING UTAH STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Dane Phillip Lyman, 35, Utah Navajo Health System Inc. medical doctor; succeeding Samuel Alon Pugh; wife, Lisa Diane Bishop Lyman. Counselors — Randall Paul Pemberton, 52, Utah Navajo Health System Inc. director of health information management systems and Pemberton Properties LLC, Nivonyx LLC and G&R Property Interests LLC business owner; wife, Marilyn Black Pemberton. Mark Lowell Bake, 44, San Juan School District teacher; wife, Kari Hendrix Bake.

BLOOMFIELD NEW MEXICO STAKE: (April 13, 2025) President — Ben Russell Hatch, 67, Great Western Reclamation president; succeeding Stephen Michael Elsbury; wife, Dixie Jolene Olsen Hatch. Counselors — Robert Alan Kropf, 66, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion seminary teacher, principal and coordinator; wife, Shauna May Roundy Kropf. Matthew Brian Pennington, 48, business owner; wife, Dalea Hope Martinez Pennington.

CABO SAN LUCAS MÉXICO STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — Ezequiel Sion Ramirez Moreno, 44, contractor; succeeding Luis Miguel Olachea Tapiz; wife, Laura Olivia Encines Ortiz de Ramirez. Counselors — Brent James Jessee, 62, licensed nursing home administrator and business owner; wife, Keely Carlson Jessee. Abraham Alvaro Laborin Alva, 44, human resources manager; wife, Luz Maria Sanchez Cruz de Laborin.

CEDAR MILL OREGON STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Charles Walter Carter, 55, Ricon Industrial Inc. president; succeeding Matthew Bevan Haycock; wife, Sara Kay Poulson Carter. Counselors — Brent David Jones, 46, Nike manager and director of finance; wife, Paige McKinnon Jones. Curtis Edward Bay, 56, Nike creative director; wife, Heidi Skeen Bay.

CHIBA JAPAN STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — Masamitsu Onizuka, 46, NuSkin Japan Co. specialist; succeeding Motoshige Karino; wife, Misono Onizuka. Counselors — Masaaki Takatori, 55, self-employed; wife, Riina Takatori. Taiki Iwasa, 40, Asahi Group Japan Ltd. senior manager; wife, Seina Iwasa.

CUAUTLA MÉXICO PALMAS STAKE: (March 30, 2025) President — Victor Alfonso Coyote Galicia, 41, administrator; succeeding Jedediah Bruno Hernandez Aguila; wife, Raquel Rodriguez Vergara. Counselors — Salvador Ismael Cacique Ortiz, 44, SEP teacher; wife, Margarita Rosas González de Cacique. Mario Zeniff Garcia Adams, 37, Inbursa adviser and business owner; wife, Karina Ramírez Sánchez de Garcia.

CURITIBA BRAZIL BOA VISTA STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Matheus Faiani Furusho Bitencourt, 42, Bitencourt Industria de Moveis owner; succeeding Carlos Henrique Geschwandtner; wife, May Cooper Furusho Bitencourt. Counselors — Gilberto Antunes dos Santos, 54, Brazilian Army veteran infantry officer; wife, Leoni de Jesus Dos Santos. Luciano Gaspar Peixoto, 38, Rappi product manager; wife, Amanda de Almeida Gaboardi Dacol Peixoto.

FILLMORE UTAH STAKE: (April 27, 2025) President — Marty David Lunt, 51, Sunrises Engineering service center manager; succeeding Gary Smith Barber; wife, Cortney Christensen Lunt. Counselors — Kelby C Swallow, 56, owner-operator; wife, MaryAnn Mabey Swallow. Brian Cody Moat, 46, Millard High School teacher; wife, Leona Mae Condie Moat.

KLEIN TEXAS STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Bryan Jared Baldwin, 44, Mercer actuarial health consultant; succeeding Robert K Ellis; wife, Katherine Page Baldwin. Counselors — Scott Colin Nuzman, 46, Chevron land representative; wife, Amy Elizabeth Ludwig Nuzman. Jacob Timothy Swanson, 43, DHL vice president of projects; wife, Kelly Lynn Smith Swanson.

LAYTON UTAH LAYTON HILLS STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Jeremy John Barclay, 47, SkyWest Airlines safety managing director; succeeding Brian Donell Tate; wife, Mary Ann Call Barclay. Counselors — Justin Michael Shepherd, 43, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary assignment manager; wife, Angela Stephan Shepherd. Ryan Lee Walters, 47, Zions Bank commercial loan specialist; wife, Brooke Lynn Stott Walters.

MAPLETON UTAH WEST STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Ezekiel Jon Evans, 49, Rocket Software lead software engineer; succeeding Kelend Ivan Mills; wife, Stephanie Ann McKinney Evans. Counselors — Brian Barlow Nelson, 43, Blue Valley Insurance owner; wife, Kellie Lynn Alexander Nelson. Thomas Steel Soffe, 36, Morgan Stanley director of business strategy-wealth management; wife, Caitlin Rose MacKay Soffe.

MONTERÍA COLOMBIA STAKE: (March 16, 2025) President — Guillermo Enrique Gomez Grondona, 33, University of Córdoba professor; succeeding Ronald Antonio De La Ossa Dickson; wife, Andrea Garcia Dereix. Counselors — Nelson David Petro Cardenas, 53, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintenance technician; wife, Katy Elena Doria Mesquida. Carlos Andres Ponton Soto, 29, Compañía Médica DS SAS assistant; wife, Yenifer Andrea Ruíz Macea.

MWENE-DITU DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO STAKE: (May 11, 2025) President — Freddy Mukadi Katomb’, 38, Ministry of Higher Education and University teaching assistant and Ets DIFRELU entrepreneur; succeeding Mees Buláng-Cikol Tshiband; wife, Falone Mukadi Mujinga. Counselors — Godefroy Tshilonda Mutombo, 33, higher education and university teaching assistant and permanent secretary, Trust Marchand Bank SA payroll agent, Congolese state labor inspector and primary and secondary education teacher; wife, Mamie Mbuyi Matanda Tshilonda. Doris Kalenda Kadisha, 25, entrepreneur; wife, Genevieve Tshikumin Kapinga Kalenda.

PARADISE VALLEY ARIZONA STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Russell Todd Taylor, 50, dentist; succeeding Juan Carlos Quilantan Vite; wife, Barbara Marie Coplen Taylor. Counselors — Stephan Kent Harper, 58, Brigham Young University–Idaho adjunct faculty professor and Dignity Health marketing director; wife, Karen Lee Siiro Harper. Benjamin Alan Grover, 44, Knox senior engineer of new product development; wife, Holly Michelle Fetters Grover.

PARIS FRANCE STAKE: (May 25, 2025) President — Cédric Didier Alexandre Morelle, 42, Neverhack cybersecurity director; succeeding Frederic Pascal Loisel; wife, Carole Caner Morelle. Counselors — Christopher Darguence, 50, TotalEnergies activity director; wife, Isabel Helena Linguica Darguence. Alexis Bamy, 40, Eurofins Hygiène Hospitalière general director; wife, Lyse Isabelle Monique Faudin Bamy.

PENRITH AUSTRALIA STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Aaron Lavini Halavaka, 35, Steadfast Building Solutions director and Lexicon Plumbing & Gas Fitting owner and director; succeeding Bradley Harry Lavell Wood; wife, Simone Vera Scott Halavaka. Counselors — Richard Jonathan Wright, 36, Link Juice owner and Nature’s Sunshine Products of Australia e-commerce specialist; wife, Rebekah Anne Garcia Wright. Trevor Rawiri Shortland, 38, Hassett Flooring flooring contractor; wife, Easter Ioane Shortland.

PROVO UTAH FREEDOM STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Devin Charles Patrick, 46, State of Utah human resource manager; succeeding Michael Paul Merz; wife, Bethany Henrichsen Patrick. Counselors — Brad William Tanner, 57, Quilt Software content manager; wife, Linda Aileen May Tanner. Joseph Michael Spencer, 44, Brigham Young University associate professor; wife, Karen Elizabeth Jones Spencer.

ROME ITALY EAST STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Emanuele Cascone, 45, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assistant temple recorder; succeeding Andrea Rondinelli; wife, Cristina Paoletta. Counselors — Jonathan Gessati, 49, Zucchetti Spa employee; wife, Adriana Stella Teresa Valentina Emilia Pagnani. Marco Petrollini, 49, entrepreneur; wife, Sabrina Ciccio’.

ROSARIO ARGENTINA NORTH STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Mariano Ivan Viscontti, 38, Obra Nova MC SAS occupational health and safety technician; succeeding David Daniel Ravello; wife, Jésica Nerina Oliva Agate Viscontti. Counselors — Pablo Daniel Ceriotti, 43, Ternium Argentina operator; wife, Patricia Carolina Molinaro Ceriotti. Luciano Dalleva, 45, security; wife, Maite Dana Dalleva.

SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA VIRU VIRU STAKE: (May 18, 2025) President — Douglas Moroni Franco Garcia, 39, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion regional director; succeeding Jaime Oswaldo Diez Salinas; wife, Rosario Alejandra Alanes Asturizaga de Franco. Counselors — Javier Yavi Huayta, 44, Grupo Altius Bolivia head office employee; wife, Teolinda Vasquez Salazar de Yavi. Pablo Javier Mogrovejo Cerruto, 37, leader and member support manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; wife, Karina Rodriguez Ojopi de Mogrovejo.

ST. CLOUD FLORIDA STAKE: (April 27, 2025) President — Warren Lee James, 56, retired fire chief; succeeding Jonathan Brent Gooch; wife, Michelle Lynn Luckart James. Counselors — Carlos Gianfranco Palomino, 40, Chapters Health System vice president of clinical services and development; wife, Gisela Natalia Benitez Palomino. Parker Wayne Ussery, 41, AgReserves Inc. assistant general manager; wife, Brooklynn Rochelle Schwitters Ussery.

STUART FLORIDA STAKE: (May 4, 2025) President — Matthew Charles Gilbert, 56, Reef Capital Partners managing director; succeeding Bradley Pond Westover; wife, Amanda Elizabeth Greene Gilbert. Counselors — Glen Edward Robinson, 48, Platform One CEO; wife, Rachel Katherine Davis Robinson. Christopher Harley Vielman, 40, Amtrust Financial staff counsel; wife, Christie Leeann Michaud Vielman.

Learn about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

Matthew R. Clarke, 64, and Janine T. Clarke, five children, Eastdell Ward, Sandy Utah Granite South Stake: Philippines Cebu Mission, succeeding President Omer D. Fernandez and Sister Amalia B. Fernandez. Brother Clarke is an Area Seventy and former general Young Men advisory council member, stake president, high councilor, stake Young Men president, bishop, bishopric counselor, Young Men adviser and missionary in the Japan Tokyo North Mission. He was born in Boise, Idaho, to John Richard Clarke and Barbara Jean Clarke.

Sister Clarke is a Relief Society teacher and temple ordinance worker and former recreation camp administrator, stake Young Women president, ward Young Women president, Young Women adviser and ward choir director. She was born in Concord, California, to Vern Mumford Tueller and Carol Lee Tueller.

Peter Huber, 65, and Carla Huber, four children, Pratteln Ward, Bern Switzerland Stake: Europe Central Turkic and Persian-Speaking Mission. Brother and Sister Huber previously served as senior missionaries in the Europe Central Area. Brother Huber is a district president and former district presidency counselor, high councilor, stake executive secretary, bishop, bishopric counselor, branch presidency counselor, elders quorum presidency counselor, Young Men adviser, institute supervisor, temple ordinance worker and missionary in the England Bristol Mission. He was born in Liestal, Switzerland, to Josef Anton Huber and Karolina Elsa Huber-Lichtner.

Sister Huber is a ward Relief Society presidency counselor and former stake Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Primary teacher, Nursery leader, activity days leader and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Faido, Switzerland, to Silvio Dotti and Bianca Margherita Stefani.

2025 new mission leadership assignments

Read about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

The Church News will profile new mission leadership couples in the coming weeks and months. The profiles will be linked below as they are published or can be found at thechurchnews.com/mission-leaders.

In late June, these new mission presidents and companions will gather in Provo, Utah, for the 2025 Seminar for New Mission Leaders. Church News will provide coverage of the seminar, available at thechurchnews.com/mission-leadership-seminar.

Africa Central Area

Africa South Area

Africa West Area

Asia Area

Asia North Area

Brazil Area

Caribbean Area

Central America Area

Eurasian Area

Europe Central Area

Europe North Area

Mexico Area

North America Central Area

North America Northeast Area

North America Southeast Area

North America Southwest Area

North America West Area

Pacific Area

Philippines Area

South America Northwest Area

South America South Area

Utah Area

Update: This article was updated on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 due to the addition of three more missions and their leaders being added to the list, as well as adding the names of any remaining leaders yet to be announced.

Elder Strong’s talk summary

Discipleship of Jesus Christ “is a path filled with deliberate and purposeful acts of love towards others.”

This Christlike attribute is charity, or love in action. Patterns of Christ’s charity found in His true disciples include being compassionate, ministering to unspoken needs and helping others along the covenant path.

“Compassion is that portion of charity that seeks to alleviate all suffering.” While ministering to the Nephites following His Resurrection, the Lord healed the sick and afflicted and blessed their children because He was filled with compassion.

The Savior demonstrated His love “through His observance of and ministry to the unspoken needs of others.” For instance, the Lord not only physically healed the paralyzed man lowered through a roof, but also offered forgiveness of sins.

While becoming more like Christ, a desire to help others along the covenant path increases. This could mean befriending those who feel offended or forgotten, helping new members of a congregation feel welcome, or inviting friends to worship at sacrament meeting.

“There are countless ways to encourage and assist others in their progression if we deliberately and prayerfully seek heaven’s help to have eyes to see and a heart to feel how Jesus Christ sees and feels for them.”

Read the full text of Elder Strong’s talk: ‘Charity — A Sign of True Discipleship’

Notable quotes

“To be the Lord’s disciples, we must intentionally imitate His thoughts and actions every day — for example, His obedience, humility and patience.”

“Compassion is that portion of charity that seeks to alleviate all suffering.”

“Discipleship of Jesus Christ … is a path filled with deliberate and purposeful acts of love towards others.”

See more quotes, stories, video clips and other study helps for this talk

Who is Elder Strong?

• Elder Michael B. Strong was sustained as a General Authority Seventy during the April 2024 general conference. He was serving as a member of the 12th Quorum of the Seventy, in the Utah Area, at the time.
• Elder Strong and his wife, Sister Cristin Connelly Strong, are each the oldest of eight children, both served as full-time missionaries in the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission, and were president and companion of the Perú Lima Central Mission from 2018 to 2021.
• Elder Strong earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology and a minor in chemistry from Brigham Young University in 1989 and a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1993. He was a physician, hospitalist and chief medical information officer for the University of Utah.

What has Elder Strong done recently?

• Elder Michael B. Strong was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 6, 2024.
• As a member of the Philippines Area presidency, Elder Strong presided at the groundbreaking of the Tacloban City Philippines Temple on Jan. 18.

April 2025 general conference: Announcements, talk summaries, photos, session highlights

Ben MacKay, 49, and Jen MacKay, four children, Edgewater Ward, Mount Vernon Washington Stake: Chile Puerto Montt Mission, succeeding President Cristian J. Gervic and Sister Patricia Gervic. Brother MacKay is a stake presidency counselor and former high councilor, stake Young Men president, stake public affairs assistant director, bishop, elders quorum president, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. He was born in Carmichael, California, to Brian Reynolds MacKay and Shiona Elizabeth Florence MacKay.

Sister MacKay is a seminary supervisor and former seminary teacher, stake Young Women presidency counselor, stake Young Women secretary, ward Young Women president, ward Young Women presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Chile Viña del Mar Mission. She was born in Mount Vernon, Washington, to Loyd Louis Frazier and Joan Elizabeth Frazier.

2025 new mission leadership assignments

Read about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders

Sidney Allen Connor and Melody Ann Hammer Connor, Lisbon Ward, Hiram Ohio Stake, called as president and matron of the Cleveland Ohio Temple. President Connor is a temple sealer, ward Sunday School president, and a former stake president, bishop and high councilor. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Woodrow Glenn Johnson and Lois Jean Porter.

Sister Connor is a ward Primary president and temple ordinance worker and a former stake Young Women president, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women presidency counselor and seminary teacher. She was born in Farmington, New Mexico, to AC Hammer and Lila Margarita Hammer.

2025 new temple leadership assignments

Learn about the history and stories of the temples of the Church in the Church News Almanac

Learn about other recently called temple, mission, stake and other leaders