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"THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR INFORMATION ON MY SITE, WOULD BE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF MY BLOG GROUP. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JOIN, AND BE PREPARED TO RECIEVE AN EDUCATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LEARN." To join the forums, go to blog, press on the first line (the Mormon's Latest Blog Entry) and click on (subscribe), then follow thru. Thanks again! Look forward to seeing you in class.My job here is to bring to light, the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the Lord and his Gospel and I thank Him every day for giving Joseph Smith the "First Vision". I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do. I loved putting it together. I will have lots to put in the blog forum and hope it will inturn educate and edify those who desire to partake in the wealth of knowledge. The Lord said it is not only our responsibility to learn, but also a commandment from God. Thank you for your time, and God Bless. (And Please do not forget to tell your friends to drop by.)............. DISCLAIMER TIME!!! ..............Please remember "EVERYONE" this is a site for the sharing of Gods love and peace so please be kind with your words and do not ruin it for the rest of us. I will be watching for this, very closely. And those of you that may not be able to contain yourselves in a humble manner will be asked to leave. One can get their point across (good or bad) in a professional manner. CHURCH TIMELINE
*1805, December 23 Joseph Smith (1805-44) born to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith, Sharon, Vermont (see JS-H 1: 3).
*1820, Early Spring The Prophet Joseph Smith received First Vision in a grove of trees in Palmyra and Manchester Townships, New York, near his home (see JS-H 1: 15-17).
*1823, September 21-22 Joseph Smith visited by angel Moroni and told of the Book of Mormon record. Joseph viewed the gold plates buried in a nearby hill (Cumorah) (see JS-H 1: 27-54).
*1827, September 22 Joseph Smith obtained the gold plates from Moroni at the Hill Cumorah (see JS-H 1: 59).
*1829, May 15 John the Baptist conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in Harmony, Pennsylvania (see D&C 13; JS-H 1: 71-72).
*1829, May Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John near the Susquehanna River between Harmony, Pennsylvania, and Colesville, New York (see D&C 128: 20).
*1829, June Translation of the Book of Mormon completed. The Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses shown the gold plates (see 2 Ne. 11: 3; 27: 12-13; D&C 17).
*1830, March 26 First printed copies of the Book of Mormon available, Palmyra, New York.
*1830, April 6 The Church organized in Fayette Township, New York.
*1830, September-October First missionaries called to preach to the Lamanites (Native Americans) (see D&C 28, 30, 32).
*1830, December-January 1831 The Saints were commanded to gather to Ohio (see D&C 37; 38: 31-32).
*1831, July 20 Site for the city of Zion (the New Jerusalem) in Independence, Missouri, revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith (see D&C 57; A of F 10).
*1833, March 18 Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams set apart as Counselors in Presidency of the Church (see D&C 81 heading) and given the keys of this last kingdom (see D&C 90 heading; verse 6).
*1833, November 7 Saints began fleeing from mobs in Jackson County, Missouri across the Missouri River and into Clay County.
*1834, May 5 President Joseph Smith left Kirtland, Ohio, for Missouri as leader of Zion’s Camp to bring relief to Saints expelled from Jackson County.
*1835, February 14 The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles organized, Kirtland, Ohio (see D&C 107: 23-24).
*1835, February 28 The organization of the First Quorum of the Seventy commenced, Kirtland, Ohio (see HC 2: 201-2).
*1835, August 17 The Doctrine and Covenants accepted as a standard work of the Church, Kirtland, Ohio.
*1836, March 27 The Kirtland Temple dedicated (see D&C 109).
*1836, April 3 Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared and conveyed priesthood keys (see D&C 110).
*1837, July 19 Heber C. Kimball and six others arrived in Liverpool, England, on first overseas mission.
*1838, April 26 Name of the Church specified by revelation (see D&C 115: 4).
*1838, December 1 The Prophet Joseph Smith and others imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri (see D&C 121-23).
*1840, August 15 Baptism for the dead publicly announced by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
*1841, October 24 Elder Orson Hyde dedicated Palestine for return of the children of Abraham (see D&C 68: 1-3; 124: 128-29).
*1842, March 17 Female Relief Society organized, Nauvoo, Illinois.
*1842, May 4 First full temple endowments given.
*1843, May 28 Joseph and Emma Smith sealed for time and eternity.
*1844, June 27 Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith martyred in Carthage Jail (see D&C 135).
*1846, February 4 Nauvoo Saints began crossing Mississippi River to move west. Some eastern Saints sailed from New York City for California on ship Brooklyn.
*1846, July 16 Mormon Battalion mustered into U.S. service in Iowa.
*1847, April President Brigham Young’s pioneer company left Winter Quarters on the journey west (see D&C 136).
*1847, July 24 President Brigham Young entered Salt Lake Valley.
*1847, December 27 Church conference sustained President Brigham Young, Elder Heber C. Kimball, and Elder Willard Richards as First Presidency.
*1848, May-June Crickets in the Salt Lake Valley devastated the crops. The fields were saved from complete destruction as flocks of seagulls consumed the crickets.
*1849, December 9 Sunday School organized by Richard Ballantyne.
*1850, June 15 Deseret News began publication in Salt Lake City.
*1856, October Willie and Martin handcart companies detained by early snowstorms. Found by rescue party from Salt Lake Valley.
*1867, December 8 Relief Society reorganized under the direction of President Brigham Young.
*1869, November 28 Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Association organized, forerunner of Young Women program.
*1875, June 10 Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association organized, forerunner of Young Men program.
*1877, April 6 St. George Temple dedicated. President Brigham Young received revelation to set in order the priesthood organization and stakes of Zion.
*1878, August 25 Aurelia Spencer Rogers held the first Primary meeting in Farmington, Utah.
*1880, October 10 John Taylor sustained as President of the Church. The Pearl of Great Price accepted as a standard work.
*1883, April 14 Revelation to President John Taylor on the organization of the Seventies.
*1889, April 7 Wilford Woodruff sustained as President of the Church.
*1890, October 6 ”Manifesto” sustained in general conference, ending the practice of plural marriage (see OD-1).
*1893, April 6 President Wilford Woodruff dedicated Salt Lake Temple, 40 years in construction.
*1898, September 13 Lorenzo Snow became President of the Church.
*1899, May 17 President Lorenzo Snow received revelation in St. George prompting him to emphasize tithing (see D&C 119).
*1901, October 17 Joseph F. Smith became President of the Church.
*1918, October 3 President Joseph F. Smith received the vision of the redemption of the dead (see D&C 138).
*1918, November 23 Heber J. Grant became President of the Church.
*1936, April Church Security Program instituted to assist poor during Great Depression; became Church welfare program. This program grew out of a revelation received previously by President Heber J. Grant.
*1941, April 6 Assistants to the Twelve first called.
*1945, May 21 George Albert Smith became President of the Church.
*1951, April 9 David O. McKay sustained as President of the Church.
*1961, September 30 Elder Harold B. Lee, under the direction of the First Presidency, announced that all Church programs were to be correlated through the priesthood to strengthen the family and the individual.
*1964, October Observance of family home evening reemphasized.
*1970, January 23 Joseph Fielding Smith became President of the Church.
*1971, January New Church magazines—Ensign, New Era, and Friend—commenced publication.
*1972, July 7 Harold B. Lee became President of the Church.
*1973, December 30 Spencer W. Kimball became President of the Church.
*1975, October 3 President Spencer W. Kimball announced reorganization of First Quorum of the Seventy.
*1976, April 3 Two revelations added to Pearl of Great Price. In 1981, they were moved to become D&C 137 and 138.
*1978, September 30 Revelation granting the priesthood to every worthy male member without regard to race or color sustained by Church (see OD-2).
*1979, August LDS edition of King James Bible with study aids published.
*1981, September New editions of Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price published.
*1984, June Area Presidencies inaugurated, with members called from the Seventies.
*1985, November 10 Ezra Taft Benson became President of the Church.
*1989, April 1 Second Quorum of the Seventy reorganized.
*1994, June 5 Howard W. Hunter became President of the Church.
*1995, March 12 Gordon B. Hinckley became President of the Church.
*1995, April 1 Position of regional representative discontinued. Announcement of a new leadership position to be known as an Area Authority.
*1995, September 23 ”The Family: A Proclamation to the World” from the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles was published.
*1997, April 5 Area Authorities to be ordained Seventies. Third, Fourth, and Fifth Quorums of the Seventy announced.
*1997, October 4 President Hinckley announced the building of smaller temples.
*1997, November Church membership reached 10 million.
*1998, April, President Hinckley announced goal of having 100 temples in service by the year 2000.

*2000, 1 October - The 100th Latter-day Saint temple is dedicated, Boston, Massachusetts.
*2000 - Church membership reaches 11 million.
*2001 - The Perpetual Education Fund is announced.
*2003 - The Church begins manufacturing Atmit, a nutritional supplement, to help those suffering during the Ethiopian famine. Atmit is still produced by the Church for use in famine-stricken parts of the world.
*2005, April - The 175th annual general conference of the Church is held.
*2006 - Church membership reaches 12 million.
*2007 - Today there are nearly 13 million members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worldwide, with more church members living outside than inside the United States. The Community of Christ has more than 150,000 members and there are several schismatic groups who continue to call themselves Reorganized Latter Day Saints who probably have another 100,000 members. In addition, a variety of Mormon Fundamentalist groups continue to practice polygamy. The estimated number of fundamentalists is somewhere between 30,000 and 60,000.
- PROPHET OF THE CHURCH & FIRST PRESIDENCY-

Thomas S. Monson

President Thomas S. Monson has served as a Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since Nov. 10, 1985. Most recently, on March 12, 1995, he was set apart as First Counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley. Prior to that, on June 5, 1994, he was called as Second Counselor to President Howard W. Hunter, and on Nov. 10, 1985, as Second Counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson. He was ordained an Apostle and called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 4, 1963, at the age of 36. President Monson served as president of the Church's Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, from 1959 to 1962. Prior to that time he served in the presidency of the Temple View Stake in Salt Lake City, Utah, and as a bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in that stake. Born in Salt Lake City, on August 21, 1927, President Monson is the son of G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. He attended Salt Lake City public schools and graduated cum laude from the University of Utah in 1948, receiving a degree in business management. He did graduate work and served as a member of the College of Business faculty at the University of Utah. He later received his MBA degree from Brigham Young University. In April 1981, Brigham Young University conferred upon President Monson the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. He was given the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by Salt Lake Community College in June 1996. He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, an honorary business fraternity. President Monson served in the United States Navy near the close of World War II. He married Frances Beverly Johnson on October 7, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of three children: Thomas Lee Monson, Ann Frances Monson Dibb, and Clark Spencer Monson. They have eight grandchildren. Professionally, President Monson has had a distinguished career in publishing and printing. He became associated with the Deseret News in 1948, where he served as an executive in the advertising division of that newspaper and the Newspaper Agency Corporation. Later he was named sales manager of the Deseret News Press, one of the West's largest commercial printing firms, rising to the position of general manager, which position he held at the time of his appointment to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1963. He served for many years as chairman of the board of Deseret News Publishing Co. President Monson is a past president of Printing Industry of Utah and a former member of the board of directors of Printing Industry of America. With his broad business background, President Monson served for many years as a board member of several prominent businesses and industries. He currently serves as a trustee of Brigham Young University and the Church Board of Education. Since 1969 President Monson has served as a member of the National Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America. President Monson has held membership in the Utah Association of Sales Executives, the Salt Lake Advertising Club, and the Salt Lake Exchange Club. For many years, President Monson served as a member of the Utah State Board of Regents, the body which governs higher education in the State of Utah. He also served as an officer in the Alumni Association of the University of Utah. In December 1981, President Monson was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the President's Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives. He served in this capacity until December 1982, when the work of the task force was completed. President Monson was awarded the University of Utah's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1966. He is also the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver Award (1971), its prestigious Silver Buffalo Award (1978), and international Scouting's highest award, the Bronze Wolf (1993). In 1997 he received the Minuteman Award from the Utah National Guard, as well as Brigham Young University's Exemplary Manhood Award. In 1998 he and Sister Monson were each given the Continuum of Caring Humanitarian Award by the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph Villa.

Henry B. Eyring

Sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 1, 1995, and ordained an apostle April 6, 1995, at age 61. Commissioner of Education for the Church Educational System. Sustained as first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric April 6, 1985, at age 51; sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy Oct. 3, 1992. Former regional representative, member of the Sunday School General Board and bishop. Received bachelor's degree from University of Utah, and master's degree and doctorate from Harvard University. Former Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Education for Church Educational System, and former president of Ricks College, 1971-77. Born May 31, 1933, in Princeton, N.J., to Henry and Mildred Bennion Eyring. Wife, Kathleen Johnson Eyring, parents of six children.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy April 2, 1994; sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 6, 1996; called to the Presidency of the Seventy Aug. 15, 2002, and sustained Oct. 5, 2002; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 2, 2004, and ordained an apostle Oct. 7, 2004, at age 63. Former stake president and stake mission president. Received education in engineering, and later studied business administration and international management. Former senior vice president for flight operations and chief pilot for Lufthansa German Airlines. A native German, he was born Nov. 6, 1940, in Mahrisch-Ostrau, Czechoslovakia, to Karl Albert and Hilde Else Opelt Uchtdorf. Wife, Harriet Reich Uchtdorf; parents of two children.

— QUORUM OF THE TWELVE —

Boyd K. Packer

Set apart as acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve on June 5, 1994, and again March 12, 1995. Sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve Sept. 30, 1961; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 6, 1970, and ordained an apostle April 9, 1970, at age 45. Former supervisor of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion; former president of the New England States Mission. Received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Utah State University, and Ph.D. in educational administration from BYU. Pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Born Sept. 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah, a son of Ira Wright and Emma Jensen Packer. Wife, Donna Smith Packer, parents of 10 children.

L. Tom Perry

Sustained as Assistant to the Twelve Oct. 6, 1972; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve on April 6, 1974, and ordained an apostle April 11, 1974, at age 51. Served in the Marines in the Pacific during World War II. Graduated from Utah State University with a B.S. degree in finance; was vice president and treasurer of department store chain in Boston, Mass. Former stake president and counselor in stake presidency. Born Aug. 5, 1922, in Logan, Utah, to L. Tom and Nora Sonne Perry. Married Virginia Lee, parents of three children. She died in 1974. Married Barbara Dayton in 1976.

Russell M. Nelson

Sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 7, 1984, and ordained an apostle April 12, 1984, at age 59. Former Sunday School general president, regional representative and stake president. Renowned surgeon and medical researcher. Received B.A. and M.D. degrees from University of Utah, and Ph.D. from University of Minnesota. Former president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and former chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sept. 9, 1924, a son of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. Wife, Dantzel White Nelson, parents of 10 children.

Dallin H. Oaks

Philippines area president. Sustained to Quorum of the Twelve April 7, 1984, and ordained apostle on May 3, 1984, at age 51. Graduate of BYU in accounting; received juris doctorate cum laude from University of Chicago; was law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, practiced law in Chicago, and was professor of law at University of Chicago for 10 years, and was executive director of the American Bar Foundation for a year. Served nine years as president of BYU, and three years as Utah Supreme Court justice. Former regional representative and counselor in stake presidency. Born Aug. 12, 1932, in Provo, Utah, a son of Dr. Lloyd E. and Stella Harris Oaks. Wife June Dixon Oaks, parents of six children. June died July 21, 1998. Married Kristen Meredith McMain Aug. 25, 2000.

M. Russell Ballard

Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 3, 1976, and to the presidency of the quorum Feb. 21, 1980. Sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 6, 1985, and ordained an apostle Oct. 10, 1985, at age 57. Attended the University of Utah; previously engaged in various business enterprises, including automotive, real estate and investments. Was president of the Canada Toronto Mission; also served as counselor in a mission presidency and as a bishop. The grandson of Apostles Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum Mack Smith, he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Oct. 8, 1928, to Melvin Russell Sr. and Geraldine Smith Ballard. Wife, Barbara Bowen Ballard, parents of seven children.

Neil L. Andersen

Elder Neil L. Andersen was born 9 August 1951 and reared in Pocatello, Idaho. He was raised in an active LDS family, being baptized as a child, and following the normal path of advancing through the Aaronic Priesthood in his teen years before receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and being ordained an Elder as a young adult. Elder Andersen served as a missionary to the France Bordeaux Mission and upon returning home, married Kathy Sue Williams on 20 March 1975 in the Salt Lake Temple. The couple have four children. He graduated from Brigham Young University and earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University. He and Kathy then moved to Tampa, Florida, her hometown, where he worked as an advertising executive and later as a vice president of Morton Plant Health System. In addition to his service as mission president, he served as a stake president, as a counselor in a stake presidency, and as a high councilor. In 1989 Elder Andersen, Andersen, then serving as mission president of the France Bordeaux Mission, Kathy, and their four children were watching videotapes of general conference. They were impressed by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve’s address that suggested members read the preface of the new hymnbook and then counseled members not to neglect the hymns, recalled Elder Andersen, three years later as a newly called member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Andersen took the counsel to heart, as did his family. “We instituted an almost daily program to learn the hymns,” he said. “We have realized in great abundance the promises outlined in the preface written by the First Presidency.” “We don’t realize the enormous blessings available to us unless we actively pursue a course that follows the teachings of the prophets and Apostles,” observes Elder Andersen. “Our family has seen it work over and over again.” “Some of our happiest memories are of serving a mission,” notes Elder Andersen. “It is while serving others that the Lord increases and builds our capacities. On so many occasions, as I have felt inadequate in the calling before me, I have felt the Lord’s generosity in lifting and strengthening me. It is that knowledge that sustains me now as I contemplate this new and humbling opportunity.” Elder Andersen served in the First Quorum of the Seventy and in April of 2005, he was called into the Presidency of the quorum. While a Seventy he served as executive director of the Church's Audio-visual department and assistant executive director of the Priesthood Department. He also served as a counselor in the Utah North, Utah South, North America Southwest, North America Northeast, and Europe West Area Presidencies; and as first counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency. He must have been doing something right, for on April 4, 2009, he was released from his reponsibilities with the Seventy with a vote of thanks, and sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, replacing Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, who had died the previous December. Elder Andersen continues to serve at this posting.

Richard G. Scott

Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy April 2, 1977, and to the presidency of the quorum on Oct. 1, 1983; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve on Oct. 1, 1988, and ordained an apostle Oct. 6, 1988, at age 59. Received B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from George Washington University, and completed post-graduate work in nuclear engineering at Oak Ridge, Tenn. Worked 12 years on the staff of Adm. Hyman Rickover, developing military and private nuclear power reactors; subsequently consultant to nuclear power industry. Former president of Argentina North Mission, regional representative and counselor in stake presidency. Born Nov. 7, 1928, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Kenneth Leroy and Mary Eliza Whittle Scott. Wife, Jeanene Watkins Scott; parents of seven children. She died May 15, 1995. Five of their children are living.

Robert D. Hales

Sustained as an Assistant to the Twelve April 4, 1975, and to the First Quorum of the Seventy Oct. 1, 1976; sustained as Presiding Bishop April 6, 1985; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve April 2, 1994, and ordained an apostle April 7, 1994, at age 61. Former first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, president of the England London Mission, regional representative, and served in various leadership positions, including stake president's counselor in the United States, England, Germany and Spain. Earned bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, and master of business administration degree from Harvard; served in the U.S. Air Force as a jet fighter pilot; was an executive with four major national companies. Born Aug. 24, 1932, in New York City, N.Y., to John Rulon and Vera Marie Holbrook Hales. Wife, Mary Elene Crandall Hales, parents of two sons.

Jeffrey R. Holland

Chile area president. Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 1, 1989, while serving as president of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah; ordained an apostle June 23, 1994, at age 53; sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 1, 1994. Former Church Commissioner of Education and director or instructor at many institutes of religion. Received bachelor's degree in English and master's degree in religious education from Brigham Young University, and received master's degree and doctorate in American studies from Yale University. Former regional representative, counselor in stake presidency and bishop. Born Dec. 3, 1940, in St. George, Utah, a son of Frank D. and Alice Bentley Holland. Wife, Patricia Terry Holland, parents of three children.

David A. Bednar

Sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 2, 2004, while serving as president of Brigham Young University-Idaho; ordained an apostle Oct. 7, 2004, at age 52. Former Area Authority Seventy, regional representative, stake president and bishop. Received B.A. degree in communications and M.A. in organizational communications, both from BYU and doctorate in organizational behavior from Purdue University. Former professor of business management and associate dean for Graduate Studies in College of Business Administration at the University of Arkansas. Born June 15, 1952, in San Leandro, Calif., to Anthony G. and Lavina Whitney Bednar. Wife, Susan Kae Robinson; parents of three sons.

Quentin L. Cook

Sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 6, 2007. Called as a General Authority in April 1996, he served in the Second Quorum, the First Quorum, and was called to the Presidency of the Seventy on August 1, 2007. He previously served in the Area Presidency in the Philippines, as president of the Pacific Islands and the North America Northwest Areas, and as Executive Director of the Missionary Department. At the time of his call to be a General Authority of the Church, he was vice chairman of Sutter Health System. He had previously served as president and chief executive officer of California Healthcare System. Prior to that, he was a business lawyer and managing partner of Carr, McClellan, Ingersoll, Thompson and Horn, a San Francisco Bay Area law firm. He has served as a board member of several profit and not-for-profit corporations. He is a native of Logan, Utah, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Utah State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford University. He has served the Church as a full-time missionary in the British Mission and as a bishop, stake president and counselor in the San Francisco California Stake, Regional Representative, and Area Authority in the North America West Area. He married Mary Gaddie on November 30, 1962. They are the parents of three children and have nine grandchildren.

D. (David) Todd Christofferson

* Born 1945 American Fork, Utah * Baptized as a child; Aaronic Priesthood as a youth; Melchizedek Priesthood as a young man * Mission to Argentina * Married Katherine Thelma Jacob 1968, Salt Lake Temple; five children * Bishop, Stake President, Regional Representative * First Quorum of the Seventy 1993-present * Presidency of the Seventy 1998-2008 * Ordained Apostle and called to the Twelve 2008-present
Todd Christofferson was fifteen years old when his family moved to New Jersey. Born on 24 January 1945 to Paul V. Christofferson and Jeanne Svenson in American Fork, Utah and raised in Pleasant Grove and Lindon, Utah, Todd found experiences and people in his new East Coast location that created some favorite memories. “It was during that time that my faith matured into a full-blown testimony,” recalled Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the First Quorum of the Seventy. “I grew up with faith among family and friends and others who influenced my life; I don't recall a time when I didn't have that belief that the gospel was true. But in New Jersey I became conscious of knowing that it was true and that it mattered.” It mattered enough that he served a mission in Argentina and resolved ever after to do his best as a member of the Church. He married Katherine Thelma Jacob in the Salt Lake Temple on 28 May 1968, and the couple had five children. He earned a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University and a law degree from Duke University and then began working in his field. The family lived in the Washington, D.C. area; Nashville, Tennessee; Herndon, Virginia; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Elder Christofferson served as a regional representative, stake president, bishop, and stake mission president. Through the years Elder Christofferson found that the most significant thing he learned is how to pray effectively. “It is through prayer that you can learn to maintain perspective and to build stability into your life. You find help through the one source that can truly offer it,” he explained. Elder Christofferson offered two suggestions for effective prayer: gratitude and solitude. “One of the things that puts us in tune with the Spirit is prayer that is extensive in expressing gratitude for specific blessings,” he observed. “Beyond that, I think a person needs to find occasions when he or she has unlimited time alone, without fear of interruption, to talk with the Lord. Those hours offer priceless opportunities to grow close to the Lord.” On August 15 1998, Elder Christofferson was called into the Presidency of the Seventy. He was sustained to his new calling October 3, 1998. Then, on April 5, 2008, Elder Christofferson, in the 178th Annual General Conference of the Church, was called to the Holy Apostleship and sustained to the Council of the Twelve. He continues to serve at this writing.

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Articles of Faith 1

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

Articles of Faith 2

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

Articles of Faith 3

We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Articles of Faith 4

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Articles of Faith 5

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Articles of Faith 6

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

Articles of Faith 7

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

Articles of Faith 8

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Articles of Faith 9

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Articles of Faith 10

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Articles of Faith 11

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Articles of Faith 12

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Articles of Faith 13

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.