Latest news with #FirstPresidency
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Church of Jesus Christ leaders offer ‘heartfelt prayers and greetings' to Pope Leo XIV
Hours after Pope Leo XIV — the new leader of the Catholic Church — appeared on the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent the pontiff a message of goodwill. 'On behalf of the leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we extend heartfelt prayers and greetings to Pope Leo XIV,' wrote President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. 'This significant moment in time for the Catholic Church is a reminder of the enduring importance of faith to people everywhere.' The leaders noted that 'as fellow followers of Jesus Christ,' they look forward to continued opportunities to work together to bless the lives of God's children everywhere. 'May we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ to care for the poor and needy, become peacemakers and create a world where faith and goodness can flourish,' they wrote. White smoke appeared around 10 a.m. MDT on Thursday, signaling that the 133 cardinals sequestered in the Sistine Chapel had chosen Pope Francis' successor. A little more than an hour later, Pope Leo XIV greeted the public. The First Presidency also had issued a statement following Pope Francis' passing. 'We join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His courageous and compassionate leadership has blessed countless lives. We extend our heartfelt condolences to all who looked to him for inspiration and counsel. As the world pauses to remember his example of forgiveness and service, we feel deep gratitude for the goodness of a life well lived and rejoice in the hope of a glorious resurrection made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.' President Nelson met with Pope Francis inside the Vatican in what was the first meeting of its kind between leaders of the two faiths. Following the March 9, 2019, meeting, President Nelson talked about the experience. 'We had a most cordial, unforgettable experience with His Holiness. He was most gracious and warm and welcoming. What a sweet, wonderful man he is, and how fortunate the Catholic people are to have such a gracious, concerned, loving and capable leader,' he said.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leaders call 7,194 BYU graduates to excellence and discipleship during 2025 graduation ceremony
PROVO, Utah — When a future apostle and a future U.S. Supreme Court nominee learned that the Chicago law firm where they worked did not plan to hire a qualified law school graduate they knew because it had a policy against hiring Jewish people, the young attorneys went together to the firm's managing partner. The policy was discriminatory and short-sighted, said President Dallin H. Oaks, now first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the late Robert Bork, who served as U.S. solicitor general and acting U.S. attorney general. The firm changed its policy and hired the man, causing other law firms to change their policies, BYU President Shane Reese said Thursday at the university's 2025 commencement exercises. President Oaks presided and spoke briefly to honor Judge J. Clifford Wallace, whom BYU leaders gave an honorary doctoral degree for law and public service. Speakers encouraged the 7,194 BYU graduates of the 2024-25 school year to commit similarly to faith, family, community engagement, service and professional excellence during graduation ceremonies at the Marriott Center on campus. 'You entered to learn, now go forth to serve,' said Reese, paraphrasing the sign at the entrance to campus on Cougar Boulevard. The commissioner of the Church Education System, Elder Clark G. Gilbert, was the commencement speaker. He said the hope and charge church leaders have for BYU graduates is that they will 'Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world,' an instruction Jesus Christ gave disciples in the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 18:24). 'As you leave today, we invite you to be that light on the hill,' he said. Elder Gilbert, who is a General Authority Seventy, said 'BYU is the hope of the church and the flagship of the Church Educational System.' Church leaders want BYU graduates to influence the world for good by balancing professional and academic distinction with the integrity of their faith, he said. 'You might consider these dual responsibilities a simultaneous call for excellence with a call for discipleship,' he said. Elder Gilbert urged students to avoid isolating themselves to preserve faith or apologizing for their faith. 'If you let the call for excellence supersede your call to discipleship, you will risk mimicking the world and eventually apologizing for your faith,' he said. 'If you let the call for faithfulness cause you to isolate yourself from the secular world, you may preserve your faith, but you will miss the opportunity to be a light to the world.' Elder Gilbert said BYU graduates become lights to the world when they 'live their beliefs confidently and courageously even as they learn from others and engage in their community. They build friendships with others of differing beliefs and invite them into their lives, always representing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with courage, faith and dignity.' Reese noted that years after President Oaks and Bork stood up for their Jewish colleague, President Oaks was subpoenaed to testify at the U.S. Senate hearings for Bork's Supreme Court nomination. There, President Oaks learned that the man they stood up for had become the firm's managing partner. The commencement exercises included several other examples of inspiration. President Oaks said he was assigned to deliver the congratulations of church President Russell M. Nelson to Wallace, the longest-serving federal judge in the United States, according to Reese. Wallace said he was the son of an immigrant who was an abusive alcoholic with a third grade education. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ because of four friends he had in high school, where he had been a C- and D+ student. He served in the Navy and then went to college on the GI Bill, eventually becoming the editor of the law review at the University of California, Berkeley. Wallace was the first Latter-day Saint to serve on a U.S. Court of Appeals and the first to serve as a chief judge of a Court of Appeals. He served on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for 26 years. For half a century, he spent his vacations traveling the world to help 72 countries enshrine the rule of law in their systems. President Oaks said the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints well knew of Wallace's powerful impact. 'Internationally, his leadership and teaching to advance the rule of law and the administration of justice in the legal systems of 72 nations is unique among the judges of the world,' President Oaks said. 'Speaking from our commitment to the divinely inspired principles of the U.S. Constitution, which applies to all men, we believe in the rule of law. We honor Judge Wallace as a worthy example of that rule of law and commend his example to lawyers, judges and citizens worldwide.' Wallace told graduates that he put family and faith first and then balanced his work as first a trial lawyer and then a judge. 'I found that if I carefully and prayerfully made the most important parts of my life consistent with their eternal worth, I accomplished much more of the real value in my life's endeavors,' Wallace said. 'God bless you as you go out,' he said. The student commencement speaker was Amy Ortiz, who said her family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was 9, and that her degree in journalism is a miracle for someone who once found speaking, reading and writing English so difficult. 'All of us, no matter who we are or where we are from, have an underdog story,' said Ortiz, a Church News intern. She encouraged her fellow graduates, who now join nearly 460,000 BYU alumni, to launch a lifetime of consecrated service. 'Let us place our trust in the Savior — the single greatest underdog and miracle the world has ever seen — knowing that through him, we too will rise to victory."
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Latter-day Saints sustain new leaders — 16 general authorities, young men general presidency
During the opening moments of the 195th Annual General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday morning, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency announced 16 new General Authority Seventies and a new Young Men General Presidency. President Oaks also announced that Elder Kevin R. Duncan has been called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, effective August 1, 2025. He will replace Elder José A. Teixeira, who has served in the presidency since 2018. In addition, President Oaks announced that five General Authority Seventies will be released and receive emeritus status on Aug. 1. Those leaders include: Elder David S. Baxter, Elder Randall K. Bennett, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, Elder Rafael E. Pino and Elder Jorge F. Zeballos. Following is a brief biography of each new General Authority Seventies. General Authority Seventies are church leaders called by the First Presidency to be 'especial witnesses' and to assist the Twelve in 'building up the church and regulating all the affairs' and 'preaching and administering the gospel' throughout the world (Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). They act under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, according to a press release on General Authority Seventies serve full-time in the church. They are usually released in the year they turn 70 years old and are granted emeritus status. Elder Amos was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on November 2, 1961. He graduated with engineering degrees from Southern University, Baton Rouge and the University of Central Florida, Orlando. He is now retired from the United States Navy Reserve and Siemens Energy Inc. At the time of this call, he was serving as a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southeast Area. He and his wife, Michelle Evette Wright, have three children. Elder Barcellos was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 4, 1975. He studied business administration at São Marcos University. He went on to work in sales and marketing for several companies. In 2011 he cofounded GreenMile, LLC, where he worked as chief operating officer for four years and chief executive officer for six years. When called to be a General Authority, Elder Barcellos was serving as a seminary teacher in the Orlando Florida South Stake. He and his wife, Karin Spat Albino, are the parents of three children. Elder Barlow was born in Bountiful, Utah, on January 1, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in health education from the University of Utah in 1993. He worked as an executive in data analytics and quality improvement in health care. At the time he accepted this assignment to be a General Authority, Elder Barlow was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Christina Evans, have five children. Elder Brown was born in Manchester, Jamaica, on May 18, 1976. He received a bachelor's degree in computing with management studies from the University of Technology, Jamaica, in 2008. He went on to receive a master's degree in governance and public policy from the University of the West Indies in 2012. Since 2001 he has worked for the Church's Seminaries and Institutes of Religion as an Institute coordinator, division director–training services, coordinator, and associate administrator. At the time of this call, Elder Brown was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Nadine Lezanne Carter, have five children. Elder Cuvelier was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 12, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in public relations from Brigham Young University in 1994. He joined Shell Oil Company in 1996 and worked across various business units throughout North America. He has also served as a director on several national and regional boards. When called to the ranks of the General Authorities, Elder Cuvelier was serving as a member of the Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. He and his wife, Wendi Sue Manwaring, have four children. Elder Cziesla was born in Neumünster, Germany, on July 26, 1972. He received a degree in law from the University of Mainz in 2000. He also obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mainz in 2003, comparing German and U.S. law as a visiting scholar at BYU. He worked as an attorney and partner for SJ Berwin LLP from 2003 to 2016, and in 2017 became senior corporate partner at McDermott Will & Emery. At the time of this call, Elder Cziesla was serving as ward activity committee chairman for the Darmstadt Ward. He and his wife, Margret Anne Rauh, are the parents of five children. Elder Evanson was born in Taber, Alberta, Canada, on August 16, 1968. He received a bachelor's degree in dental materials in 1993 followed by a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1995, both from the University of Alberta. He has worked as a dentist in private practice for over 26 years. When he was called as a General Authority, Elder Evanson was serving as a Sunday School teacher and activity days leader in his congregation. He and his wife, Jody Karil Zobell, have five children and 11 grandchildren. Elder Eyre was born in Logan, Utah, on January 17, 1964. He received a bachelor's degree in finance from Utah State University in 1988. In 1993, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Tulsa. From 2008 to 2019, he worked for Baxter International in a variety of roles including general manager, corporate vice president, and senior vice president. Since 2023, he has been a board member for HemaSource. At the time of this call to be a General Authority Seventy, Elder Eyre was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Susan Zari Rahimzadeh, are the parents of five children. Elder Farias was born in Recife, Brazil, on October 19, 1969. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting from the Catholic University of Pernambuco in 1995, a postgraduate degree in finance from Pernambuco University, and later received a master's degree from the Getulio Vargas Foundation. He has worked for the Church since 1995 in various positions, including financial manager, human resources manager, and director of temporal affairs in the Brazil Area. When he accepted the call to be a General Authority, Elder Farias was serving as president of the Georgia Atlanta Mission. He and his wife, Giovanna de Medeiros Prata, are the parents of three children. Elder Hall was born in Provo, Utah, on March 4, 1971. He received a degree in professional sales from Weber State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah. He worked as an executive for technology and private equity firms. Most recently, he was working for the Church as a director in the Missionary Department. At the time of this call, Elder Hall was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Kimberly Wade, are the parents of four children. Elder Holmes was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 5, 1977. He received a bachelor's degree in political science in 2008 and a Juris Doctor degree in 2012, both from Arizona State University. He was vice president of Holmes Homes of Arizona from 2006 to 2010. In 2014, he founded Holmes Law, PLC. Since 2021 he has worked as general counsel for Charter One, LLC. When he was called to be a General Authority, Elder Holmes was serving as a member of the Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. He and his wife, Alyson Margaret Wilson, have six children. Elder Larreal was born in Valencia, Venezuela, on July 6, 1976. He received a bachelor's degree in management from Simón Rodriguez University in 2005. He went on to receive two Master of Business Administration degrees, one in 2008 from Santa Maria University and one in 2021 from BYU. From 1998 to 2008, he worked for the Church as a Seminaries and Institutes coordinator. Since 2009, he has worked for Nature Sunshine Products Inc. as general manager and then as director of Latin America from 2017 to 2023. At the time of this call, Elder Larreal was president of the Texas McAllen Mission. He and his wife, Sariah Alvarez Campos, are the parents of three children. Elder Matswagothata was born in Middlepits, Botswana, on January 8, 1980. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He has worked in the automotive industry since 2004 with various car brands. He has held several leadership positions, including sales manager, general manager, and country manager for Barloworld Motor. When he accepted this assignment, Elder Matswagothata was serving as a temple ordinance worker in the Johannesburg South Africa Temple and as an area self-reliance specialist. He and his wife, Novelty Busisiwe Buthelezi, have three children. Elder Ortega was born in Godoy Cruz, Argentina, on July 10, 1977. He received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the John F. Kennedy University, Argentina in 2008 and a master's degree from the University of Belgrano in 2016. In 2017, he received a diploma in leadership from Harvard Business School. Elder Ortega worked as a construction project manager, first for SBS Co. and then for Village Roadshow Co. He became real estate director for American Express Company in 2014, board member for Arch Royale Projects Limited in 2023, and board member for CorNet Global in 2024. At the time of his call to be a General Authority, Elder Ortega was serving as a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the Mexico Area. He and his wife, Gabriela Alejandra Cappi Franzia, are the parents of three children. Elder Rowe was born in Provo, Utah, on April 23, 1967. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Brigham Young University. He also received a master's degree in public policy and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago. He practiced international law for many years as a partner in various law firms in Washington, D.C., and overseas. He has served as chief executive officer for the Stirling Foundation since 2019. When he was called as a General Authority, Elder Rowe was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He and his wife, Brooke Francis, have five children. Elder Wu was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on December 22, 1970. He received a bachelor's degree from the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in 2014 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Universidad del CEMA in 2020. He has worked for the Church since 2007, first in the Meetinghouse Facilities Department and then, beginning in 2016, as the operations and maintenance manager for the South America South Area. When he accepted this assignment, Elder Wu was president of the Chile Antofagasta Mission. He and his wife, Marcela Beatriz Castellani, are the parents of three children. Members of the new Young Men General Presidency will begin service on August 1. The Young Men organization promotes faith, growth, and development in young men through Sunday instruction, weekday service and activities, and annual camps and conferences. The Young Men General Presidency, which directs this organization for the whole Church, consists of a president and two counselors, according to a press release on These three men are responsible for supporting young men ages 12 to 18 in the Church. President Farnes, 55, lives in Bountiful, Utah. He is a self-employed investor and advisor. He currently serves as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area. His previous Church assignments include mission president, stake president, stake presidency counselor, high councilor, bishop, young single adult (YSA) bishop, and bishopric counselor. He and his wife, Linsey, have five children. Brother Wunderli, 63, lives in Alpine, Utah. He is chairman of the board for ORI Inc. He currently serves on the Young Men general advisory council. His previous Church assignments include mission president, young single adult (YSA) stake president, YSA bishop, missionary training center branch presidency counselor, and ward Young Men president. He and his wife, Diane, have four children. Brother Dixon, 54, lives in Spanish Fork, Utah. He is director of the Utah South Institute Region and has worked in various assignments in Seminaries and Institutes for the past 30 years. He currently serves as president of the Spanish Fork Utah East Stake. His previous Church assignments include mission president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, and ward Young Men president. He and his wife, M'Shelle, have five children. President Oaks also announced that Elder Duncan has been called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Duncan was born in Ogden, Utah, on October 6, 1960. He has served as a General Authority Seventy since 2010. During his full-time Church service, his assignments have included president of the Central America Area and, most recently, executive director in the Temple Department. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting, a master's degree in taxation, and a Juris Doctor from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1991. He began his career as a tax attorney in Seattle, Washington. In 1996 he founded CaseData Corporation, from which he retired in 2005. Elder Duncan and his wife, Nancy Elizabeth Smart, are the parents of five children. The Presidency of the Seventy is a group of seven General Authority Seventies called as presidents by the First Presidency to preside over all members of the Seventy. One of the seven presidents is chosen to preside over the other six (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:93–94), according to a press release on The Presidency of the Seventy oversees the work of the Seventy and assists the Quorum of the Twelve in their work throughout the world. This work includes traveling to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ; administering missionary, temple, family history, humanitarian, and other efforts; meeting with Church members and missionaries; organizing Church units; working and counseling with local Church leaders; and many other responsibilities. The other six members of the Presidency of the Seventy are Elders Carl B. Cook (the Senior President), S. Mark Palmer, Marcus B. Nash, Michael T. Ringwood, Arnulfo Valenzuela and Edward Dube.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Church's annual humanitarian aid increases to $1.45 billion
Highlighted by a major expansion of its global initiative for mothers and infants, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided $1.45 billion in humanitarian aid and other relief in 2024, according to a report released Tuesday. 'We are deeply grateful for your generous donations of time and resources in 2024. Last year, members and friends of the Church were invited to seek and reach out to 'the one,' as Jesus Christ taught in his parables and demonstrated through His mortal ministry,' the First Presidency said in Tuesday's report, 'Caring For Those in Need: 2024 Summary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.' The church increased efforts to improve maternal and child health with a new donation of $55.8 million that was announced in June. Latter-day Saints also engaged specifically in one-to-one aid and support for those in need as part of the celebration of the 100th birthday of the church's president, Russell M. Nelson. 'Your heartfelt responses are truly humbling,' said the statement from President Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency. 'Throughout the world, you have acted on this invitation to reach out to the one and to love your neighbor. We are thankful for your contributions and are pleased to share this year's report of our collective efforts.' The church's Relief Society General Presidency announced the expansion of the global initiative for women and children. The funds were provided to eight partners to provide aid in 12 countries. 'Global progress starts with nourishing children and strengthening women. When you bless a woman, you bless a family, a community, a nation. When you bless a child, you invest in the future,' President Camille N. Johnson said. The initiative focuses on child nutrition, maternal and newborn care, immunizations and education. The Relief Society is the church's women's organization that had 8,097,952 members in 2024, according to the report. President Johnson received the Global Service Leadership award in January at the 2025 Sundance Institute Women's Leadership Celebration. Tuesday's report detailed the church's 2024 efforts, which increased by about $90 million over the $1.36 billion the church provided in 2023. The church's humanitarian and welfare spending reached a landmark $1.02 billion in 2022. The summary showed the church continuing to respond to emergencies and feed the hungry around the world. 'As we continue to care for God's children, we can help them feel his divine love,' The First Presidency said. 'Heavenly Father loves each of His children and recognizes the good work they do. We invite you to continue serving and loving those around you. May God bless you in your inspiring efforts.' The church's humanitarian aid spending derives from the donations of time and money by church members and others, according to the report. The church's humanitarian aid expenditures have grown significantly in recent years, increasing from $906 million in 2021. The church did not release figures for its overall humanitarian welfare spending in previous years, but Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé told the Deseret News in early 2020 that the church expanded its total humanitarian welfare expenditures over the five years from 2015-2019. The annual report does not capture all of the church's relief work, because so much is done person to person. Many members also give to other charities each year. The spending detailed in the report also does not include some other initiatives. For example, the church makes more than $1 billion in annual charitable contributions to its global educational system. The report said the church provided 3,836 projects in 192 countries last year. The projects ranged from health care (732 projects) to emergency relief (710), food security (591) and clean water, hygiene and sanitation (267). The church was involved in: 4,119 humanitarian projects in 191 countries in 2023. 3,692 projects in 190 countries in 2022. 3,909 projects in 188 countries in 2021. 3,600 projects in 160 countries in 2020. 3,221 projects in 142 countries in 2019. 2,885 projects in 141 countries in 2018. Church members provided more than 6.6 million volunteer hours in 2024, according to the report. In addition to giving, the church operates global programs to help people build self-reliance. In 2024, the church operated 579 self-reliance education projects with 128,028 participants. The church also supported 2,503 addiction recovery meetings per week The church also operates the JustServe community service platform, which supported the creation of an additional 30,246 service projects in 2024. This story will be updated.
