LDS Church Leaders

Gordon B. Hinckley led the Church through rapid growth and increased public visibility. He is known for a large temple building program and international outreach.

Ashton combined business administration and youth work with decades of church leadership. His public service included the Utah State Senate and management of the church’s social services program.

Belle S. Spafford served as general president of the Relief Society in the mid 20th century. She represented the Church in international councils and promoted humanitarian service.

Boyd K. Packer served as an apostle and later as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was known for teachings on faith, family, and moral standards.

Brigham Young was the second president of the Church and led the Latter-day Saints to the Salt Lake Valley. He directed the settlement of Utah and much of the surrounding Intermountain West and the growth of the church.

McConkie’s ministry centered on scripture, teaching and extensive religious writing. His books and his work on Latter-day Saint scripture editions became widely used by members of the church.

D. Todd Christofferson served as an apostle and has a background in law and public service. He often teaches about discipleship and the covenant path.

Dale G. Renlund served as an apostle and previously worked as a cardiologist. He teaches about compassion, covenant loyalty, and following Jesus Christ.

Oaks is a lawyer by temperament as well as training: precise, deliberate and focused on institutions, rules and religious freedom. He moved from a distinguished legal career into more than four decades of apostolic service and now leads the Church.

David A. Bednar served as an apostle and previously led Brigham Young University - Idaho. He emphasizes scripture study, covenants, and discipleship.

David B. Haight served as an apostle and emphasized the life and mission of Jesus Christ. He held leadership roles in business and church administration.

David O. McKay led the Church during a period of global expansion and modernization. He emphasized missionary work and education.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf served as an apostle and in the First Presidency and previously worked as an airline pilot and executive. He is known for messages about faith, hope, and discipleship.

Eliza R. Snow was a poet and prominent Latter-day Saint leader who became the second general president of the Relief Society. She helped establish and expand organizations for women in the Church.

Emma Hale Smith was an early leader in the Latter-day Saint movement and the first president of the Relief Society. She supported the early church and compiled hymns for worship.

Ezra Taft Benson served as president of the Church after a career in public service, including as US Secretary of Agriculture. He emphasized the Book of Mormon and conservative values.

Gary E. Stevenson served as an apostle and worked in business and church welfare services. He often speaks about missionary service and discipleship.

George Albert Smith served as president of the Church after World War II and promoted humanitarian aid. He was known for compassion and emphasis on service.

Caussé brought a career in consulting and food distribution into international church administration. His service moved from European leadership to the Presiding Bishopric and then the Quorum of the Twelve.

Gerrit W. Gong served as an apostle and has a background in academia and public service. He emphasizes inclusion, temple worship, and devotion to Christ.

Harold B. Lee served briefly as president of the Church and advanced the correlation program to unify church curricula. He previously served as an apostle and church administrator.

Heber J. Grant served as president of the Church from 1918 to 1945 and emphasized welfare and self reliance. He led during the Great Depression and World War II.

Henry B. Eyring is an apostle currently serving as First Counselor in the First Presidency. He was a professor and administrator and has emphasized revelation, humility, and family.

Howard W. Hunter served briefly as president of the Church in the mid 1990s. He emphasized temple worship and Christ centered discipleship.

Hyrum Smith was his brother's steadiest ally, a practical, loyal man who shared every stage of the early Church's rise and trouble. Remembered by Latter-day Saints for his integrity, he died beside Joseph at Carthage and became the ancestor of two later Church presidents.

James E. Faust served as an apostle and later in the First Presidency. He was a lawyer and emphasized faith, repentance, and service.

Jeffrey R. Holland was an educator and an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until his death on December 27, 2025.

John Taylor served as president of the Church after Brigham Young and guided the church during a period of federal pressure over plural marriage. He was an early apostle and editor of the church newspaper.

Joseph B. Wirthlin served as an apostle and often spoke about compassion and the love of God. He previously led church welfare and humanitarian efforts.

Joseph F. Smith served as president of the Church in the early 20th century and was a prolific teacher. He guided the church through modernization and expanded missionary work.

Joseph Fielding Smith served as president of the Church and was a well known theologian and historian. He wrote influential works on doctrine and scripture.

Joseph Smith founded the Latter Day Saint movement and organized the Church of Christ in 1830. His religious experiences, translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, and leadership shaped a movement with millions of adherents.

L. Tom Perry served as an apostle and brought a background in business and retail management. He frequently taught about family life and gospel learning.

Linda K. Burton served as general president of the Relief Society in the 2010s. She emphasized compassion, service, and strengthening families.

Lorenzo Snow served as president of the Church and emphasized tithing and financial stability. He previously led missionary work in Europe and served as an apostle.

M. Russell Ballard served as an apostle and later as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was a business leader and emphasized missionary work and ministering.

Neal A. Maxwell served as an apostle and was known for thoughtful sermons and writings. He previously led church education and emphasized discipleship.

Neil L. Andersen served as an apostle after a career in business and church administration. He is known for teaching about faith, family, and missionary work.

Kearon is a warm, story-driven teacher whose ministry has centred on compassion for outsiders, from refugees in Europe to members who feel they never measure up. A business and communications professional before full-time Church service, he joined the Church as an adult convert.

Quentin L. Cook served as an apostle and previously worked as an attorney and executive. He has emphasized faith in Jesus Christ and service in the Church.

Richard G. Scott served as an apostle and emphasized integrity and the healing power of the Atonement. He previously worked as a nuclear engineer and church administrator.

Robert D. Hales served as an apostle and emphasized faith, family, and endurance. He held leadership roles in business and church administration.

Ronald A. Rasband serves as an apostle and previously was president of Huntsman Chemical Corporation and led church organizations. He emphasizes ministering and spiritual preparedness.

Russell M. Nelson was a heart surgeon and the 17th president of the Church, serving from 2018 until his death in 2025. He emphasized ministering, temple expansion, and use of the official name of the Church.

Spencer W. Kimball led the Church in the 1970s and emphasized missionary work and personal repentance. His presidency included the 1978 revelation extending priesthood to all worthy men.

Thomas S. Monson served as president of the Church from 2008 to 2018 and was known for his pastoral ministry. He emphasized service, temple work, and youth programs.

Ulisses Soares served as an apostle and is a global church leader from Brazil. He speaks often about family unity, faith, and service.

Wilford Woodruff served as president of the Church and issued the 1890 Manifesto ending the practice of plural marriage. He also served for decades as an apostle and recorder of early church history.