Church of Jesus Christ announces new member of the Quorum of the Twelve
Published at | Updated at
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com
SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — Elder Patrick Kearon was called to be the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday.
A church news release said he was called on Thursday and ordained by President Russell M. Nelson, president of the church.
Elder Kearon has served most recently as the senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy, and has served as a general authority seventy since April 3, 2010.
He said the new calling is both daunting and humbling.
“I will need to place all my trust in the Savior as I seek to become what he needs me to be and share my witness of his love and light. The abundance and grace of Jesus Christ have brought immense joy into my life, as well as healing balm in times of trial. I love him. I will strive to serve him to the best of my ability,” he said in a statement.
Elder Kearon, 62, was raised in the United Kingdom and the Middle East, and is a British and Irish national. He has worked in a range of industries, including communication consulting, in both the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
He joined the church on Christmas Eve in 1987, after living with a Latter-day Saint family in California and later meeting missionaries in London.
He married Jennifer Carole Hulme in January 1991, after meeting her in London while she was on a study abroad program. They have four children.
In his last general conference talk, Elder Kearon spoke about surviving trials and becoming a conqueror through Jesus Christ. He said abusive behavior is condemned by God.
“From the depths of his atoning suffering, the Savior imparts hope you thought was lost forever, strength you believed you could never possess, and healing you couldn’t imagine was possible,” he said in the April 2022 general conference.
Elder Kearon is replacing President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who passed away at age 95 on Nov. 12. He had served as a member of the quorum since Oct. 6, 1985.
President Jeffrey R. Holland replaced President Ballard as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a position that is based on seniority.
Elder Kearon will be sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during the church’s April 2024 general conference.