LDS Church Announces Three New Apostles - East Idaho News
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LDS Church Announces Three New Apostles

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SALT LAKE CITY – Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced three new apostles Saturday afternoon during the church’s semi-annual General Conference.

Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, and Dale G. Renlund fill vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles left by the recent deaths of L. Tom Perry, Boyd K. Packer and Richard G. Scott.

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, presented their names at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Millions of Church members around the world watched or listened to the meeting in more than 80 languages.

It’s been over a century since the Quorum of the Twelve had three vacancies. Additionally, with the call of Renlund, 100 apostles have now served since the Church was organized in 1830.

Ronald A. Rasband was serving as the senior president in the Presidency of the Seventy at the time of his call to the Twelve. He became a general authority of the Church in April of 2000.

Gary E. Stevenson was serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Church since March 2012 and previously served in the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he was called in 2008. Stevenson will continue in his position as Presiding Bishop for what is expected to be a short period until his replacement is named.

Dale G. Renlund had served in the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 2009 prior to being named to the Quorum of the Twelve.

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church. In addition to their primary responsibility to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world, apostles have administrative responsibilities as they oversee the programs and development of the global Church.

Church members look to them for inspired teaching and see and hear their messages in worldwide, regional and local meetings as well as in Church publications and productions, including print, video and social media.

A replacement in the Quorum of the Twelve is called by the President of the Church, who seeks and receives inspiration in extending the call. The new member of the Twelve may be called from the general authorities who are senior leaders in the Church or from the general Church membership around the world.

Click here to read biography information for the new apostles.

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