Hello again, everyone! As announced by the Newsroom and the Church News, Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authortiy Seventy since April 2021 and the Commissioner of Church Education since August of that same year, has been called as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. According to the reports, he was called to the apostleship yesterday, and was ordained an apostle by President Oaks and the other 13 apostles earlier today.'
His call fills the vacancy created by the December 27, 2025, death of President Jeffrey R. Holland, who was serving as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles when he passed away. Elder Gilbert, who was born in Oakland, California, on June 18, 1970, is 55 years old and brings a wide range of experience to his new calling. The reports note he made the following statement in response to his call:
"This is an amazing time to point people to the Savior Jesus Christ. When we do that, we can find joy and comfort and peace in Him. As President [Russell M.] Nelson once said, it’s much harder to find happiness where it doesn’t exist. And we’re so grateful that I have this calling now to witness that Jesus is the Christ. If people all across the world will look to Him, He will make their lives better, more meaningful, more joyful. And it happens in and through our Savior Jesus Christ.”
He grew up in a family where he was taught that there is a connection between education and Church membership. He went on to graduate from BYU in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in education. He also has a a master’s degree in East Asian studies, and a doctoral degree in business administration. He went on to teach at BYU-Idaho and later served as CEO of Deseret Digital Media, president of the Deseret News, president of BYU-Idaho, and the first president of BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
I was kind of hoping the new apostle would be announced soon, and even though I wasn't expecting Elder Gilbett would fill that vacancy, as soon as I read about his call, the Spirit confirmed to me that he has been called of God. One thing the article doesn't mention is how long he will continue as Commissioner of Church Education, there is precedent for apostles serving in that capacity. If they do replace him down the line in that capacity, there won't be as much of a domino effect as there was with the apostolic call of Elder Gérald Caussé.
I testify that Elder Gilbert has been called of God, and that we will be blessed as we follow his counsel and that of his fellow 14 apostles. I invite you all to stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. In the meantime, that does it for now.
All comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post at any time, as long as all such feedback is made per the established guidelines. I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates.
Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do.
The last several new apostles that have been called and ordained outside of general conference seem to have been on Thursdays. Clark Gilbert is Called of God.
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ReplyDeleteThe last several new apostles that have been called and ordained outside of general conference seem to have been on Thursdays. Clark Gilbert is Called of God.
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Thank you, Chris. It appears from the reports that Elder Gilbert was called yesterday and ordained today, which is slightly different from when Elders Causse and Kearon were called and ordained on Thursday. I assume Elder Gilbert may meet the press tomorrow. Elder Gilbert has truly been called of God. Thanks for stopping by to share your witness. I appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteNot to undercut the apostolic news today, but other updates have been provided by the Church News that I haven't yet shared. Sister J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, spoke to missionaries at the Provo MTC on Tuesday. The Young Women General Presidency provided counsel on how to listen to the Spirit. 8 temples have new leaders incoming this year, including the first leaders of the Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala and Managua Nicaragua Temples. I will let the biographies speak for themselves this time around. I have updated my document tracking these changes. So far, nothing unexpected there. And one other Church News report speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteOn this Friday, the only new Church News report shares biographies of another 16 mission leader couples., which includes 1 current area seventy (Elder Steven C. Merrell) and 1 former area seventy (Elder Jorge W. Perez). Once again, the incoming couples have a wide range of Church service, both separately and together. And the Newsroom has shared one other report that speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteIt looks as though Elder Gilbert did meet with her media today, and he shared his experience of being with President Oaks on Tuesday when he gave his devotional message at BYU-Provo. He said he could tell the prophet had something weighing on him on Tuesday, but that they didn't talk until the next day after a meeting of the Church Board of Education. He said President Oaks asked to speak to him, and he assumed it was something related to Church education, but the call was extended instead.
DeleteHe also related having strong connections to President Jeffrey R. Holland, who officiated at Elder Clark's wedding, and to President Henry B. Eyring. The fact that President Holland sealed him to his wife makes it all the more fitting that Elder Gilbert's call was to fill the vacancy created by President Holland's death. Hopefully more media outlets report interviewing him in the coming days.
Above and beyond that, the latest edition of "This Week on Social" featured posts from the following general Church leaders:
Church President Dallin H. Oaks and his Second Counselor, President D. Todd Christofferson; the following members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Acting President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elders Ronald A. Rasband, Gerrit W. Gong, Patrick Kearon, Gérald Caussé, and Clark G. Gilbert (in his first social media post as an apostle); Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson; Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency; and Brother Sean R. Dixon, Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency.
My thanks once again to you all.
The Newsroom and the Church News have both shared coverage of Elder Gilbert meeting with the media. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has published two updates that speak for themselves, and the text of the message that will be given by Brother Derrick Porter during tomorrow's 5,031st episode of "Music & the Spoken Word". My thanks once again to you all.
Deletehttps://www.eastidahonews.com/2026/02/church-of-jesus-christs-newest-apostle-reflects-on-role-to-testify-of-christ/
ReplyDeleteAn article in East Idaho News about elder Gilbert being called to the apostleship
DeleteHey, Chris! Thanks for sharing that article. It is wonderful to see reports and videos about Elder Gilbert meeting with the media, and I know East Idaho News has carried a lot of Church news generally. Thanks for sharing this for all of us here. I appreciate your longtime readership and friendship, and thank you, as always, for taking time to share your thoughts. I always appreciate hearing from you.
DeleteOn this Sabbath Day, the Church News has shared several new reports: the first of which speaks for itself. The Church News also covered the plaque unveiling at BYU featuring President Oaks' vision for BYU. The latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Reveiw" recaps the top 9 updates reported by the Church News within the last week. And with our "Come, Follow me" study this week centering on Abraham 1-2 and Genesis 12-17 (a total of 8 chapters), see what Church leaders have taught about those passages. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteOn this Presidents' Day in the United States, Church offices are closed, so the earliest we'll see the next major temple construction announcement is tomorrow at 2:00 PM. In the meantime, so far today, the Church News has posted two updates that speak for themselves. And obviously, nothing new from the Newsroom. There have been some temple construction status updates I have not yet passed along. To catch up on the latest regarding those updates, please see this document, which has been postdated to the end of the first quarter of this year, when I will post my first temple construction progress updates for 2026 on this blog.
DeleteGiven President Oaks' statements about new temples being announced during his tenure, I honestly don't know how often we will see temples announced under the new protocols. But I am cautiously optimistic that at least one more temple might be announced before General Conference, Where, when, how soon, and by whom is less clear. But I hope we will see something in that regard again in the near term.
It's also worth noting that it has been 5 months since the last batch of new hymns was released, so we may see something announced there in the relatively near term as well. How soon, how many, and when exactly that might occur is anyone's guess. My understanding is that, as each previous batch of hymns was being prepared for their release, President Nelson would play them for the First Presidency. To the best of my knowledge, the only current apostolic organist is now Elder Gérald Caussé, so I don't know what to expect there.
One other thing to note: I previously mentioned that, at the time of his setting apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf had been chairing the Priesthood and Family Exectuvie Council, in addition to being the senior apostle assigned to the Church Board of Education. An update to the membership of that Board now shows that Elder Dale G. Renlund is the senior member of the Twelve serving on that Board and on the Executive Committee, and that Elder Gerrit W. Gong is the only other current Quorum member on both the Board and the Executive Committee. I don't know for sure whether that means that Elder Renlund is also now the Chair of the Priesthood and Family Executive Council, but it wouldn't shock me if that is now the case. With two new junior apostles in place, at least one of them could potentially be assigned to the Board and to its' Executive Committee. But only time will tell if that happens. I will try to keep my eyes open in that regard.
The only other thing I would note is that there may or may not be a possibility that Elder Gilbert might be replaced as the Commissioner of Church Education in view of his call to the apostleship. There is precedent for a member of the Quorum of the Twelve to continue serving as the Commissioner of Church Education following his apostolic call, but that hasn't been the case since 2004. So either scenario is possible. Stay tuned here for continued updates on everything I've outlined in this comment. For now, my thanks ocne again to you all.
As I mentioned in replying to Chris b in the subthread below, I am back to share some theories about what might beannounced tomorrow. As of earlier today, we now have 6 temples completed and awaiting the announcement of their opening arrangements, each of which have had their first leaders called. So a dedication announcement is highly likely, although it is less clear whether any other temple dedications may take place during this first halfof 2026.
DeleteA total of 2 or 3 temples have recently had construction begin (including the Jacksonville Florida Temple, leaving 8 temples that now have full-scale construction pending, along with one other that will have a groundbreaking soon. Renovations have wrapped up on the San Diego California Temple, so its rededication could occur in June, July, or August, as it seems easier for the Church to schedule most temple rededications than it might to schedule the dedications of some new temples.
Based on what is now known, it appears likely that a minimum of 3 temples might soon have groundbreakings, although I have naturally been incorrect about the timing for some temple groundbreakings, and have been surprised atothers thathave been setwhen they weren't necessarily on my radar. So perhaps more than 3 groundbreakings could be set in the near term. The Church has also done a lot lately in terms of the confirmations of site locations and the release of exterior renderings, so there could also be more of those announced in the near term, whether or not they are on my current watchlist.
So there are ample options that could be announced tomorrow during the 2:00 PM hour. As always, stay tuned here for my coverage ofwhatever does get announced at that time. For now, my thanks once again to you all.
Presidents day is not a huge holiday for some of us as it still seems like a normal work day. I hope to see some new announcements tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear that, Chris! I am, of course, relatively aware that some workplaces don't close for Presidents' Day. I take my proverbial hat off to those of you who do work during the observances of some holidays. I am particularly mindful of those who work in hospitals and clinics that remain open on days like today. Church headquarters is not part of the essential services industry, which explains why Church offices close down for Martin Luther KingJr. Day, Presidents' Day, and Pioneer Day, for example.
DeleteI will be providing my theories on what could be announced tomorrow in a reply to my comment just above yours here, Chris. As always, thanks for your longtime friendship and readership, and thanks for being willing to share your thoughts here as often as you do so. I greatly appreciate hearing from you and hope all is well with you and yours.
Contrary to what I had supposed, there was no new major temple construction announcement this week. Hopefully those announcements pick up again weekly starting next week. I will be back later this afternoon with updates from the Church News, along with any updates from the Church of Jesus Christ Temples site. My thanks once again to you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Church News has shared two new reports today. It occurred to me to wonder if perhaps the Church opted not to share any temple news this week due to having some other big announcement planned at some point this week (if so, probably on Thursday). But the lack of a temple construction announcement could just mean there was nothing ready to go this week.
DeleteBut given what President Oaks said about his plans to have localized temple announcements as long as he has a say in such matters, I could see a new temple announced in the near term, or any number of other developments, including the release of the next batch of new hymns. My thanks once agian to you all.
On this Wednesday, the Church News has published a few new reports: medical materials have been provided through a joint effort of the Mexican & Guatemalan governments and the Church; a BYU-Idaho student bounced back from a brain injury into a temple marriage; and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to missionaries at the weekly Provo MTC devotional that will be carried to other MTCs. Meanwhile, the Newsroom has shared the latest updates on the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared its' coverage of the Temple Square renovation update, in addition to a summary of Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela's address to Ensign College students. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Thursday thus far, the Church News has shared the inspiring story of Indonesian youth at the Bangkok Thailand Temple. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAnd the Church News has also shared the next 16 biographies of incoming mission leaders. I think I will let that list speak for itself. With the newest set of biographies published today instead of tomorrow or Saturday, I am hopeful that more temple leader biographies will also be shared tomorrow or on Saturday. I am still wondering if there will be another major announcement either later today, tomorrow, or during the weekend. I have no idea whatsoever regarding what that might be. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe African Newsroom notes that Elder Quentin L. Cook is in Ghana, where he met with that nation's president. He was accompanied by Elder Michael T. Ringwood of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elders Alfred Kyungu and Isaac K. Morrison, the respective President and Second Counselor in the Africa West Area.
DeleteAs an interesting sidenote, Elder Ringwood's biography notes that he assists a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in an assignment to supervise the Africa West Area. Since Elder Ringwood was present in Ghana, it seems probable that Elder Cook is now the apostle with oversight for that area. My thanks once again to you all.
The March 2026 magazines include a supplement "In Memorium: President Jeffrey R. Holland". At this time, I honestly don't know whether or not or how soon a future Liahona might cover the appointment of the new First Presidency, nor do I know if/when to expect Liahona articles about each of the members of the First Presidency, and for each of our two new apostles. Perhaps the Church won't be doing that anymore. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has shared one additional report. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteOn this Friday, the Church News has shared a few new reports: Elder Quentin L. Cook's West Africa ministry, the Tabernacle Choir's 1981 concert in Brazil, a couple celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary shares their secret to a happy marriage, and the latest edition of "This Week on Social", which featured posts from the following general Church leaders:
DeleteChurch President Dallin H. Oaks (from whom two posts were shared); the following members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Acting President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Elders David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gérald Caussé, and Clark G. Gilbert; Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency (who posted via Young Women Worldwide); and Sisters Amy A. Wright and Tracy Y. Browning, the respective First and Second Counselors in the Primary General Presidency.
My thanks once again to you all.
And it turns out that the Church News has also published the origin story of the new hymn, Anytime, Anywhere. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThis is a busy season for the apostles of the Church: As previously mentioned, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to MTC missionaries; Elder David A. Bednar recently hosted the Bahrainian ambassador at Church headquers; Elder Quentin L. Cook is ministering in West Africa; Elder Ulisses Soares is accompanying the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on their ministry and concert trip to Brazil; and Elders Dale G. Renlund and Gérald Caussé, in company with Elder S. Mark Palmer of the Presidency of the Seventy, are ministering in Europe.
DeleteWith reference to that last report, Elder Renlund will be in Romania, Germany, and the Netherlands. In Bucharest, he's got a scheduled special district conference and a devotional for women. He'll also meet with mssionaries in Romania and Germany and preside at a special stake conference in Apeldoorn. For Elder Caussé in his first ministry trip outside the US since his call to the apostleship, it will also be somewhat of a "homecoming", as he ministers in France, traveling from Versailles to Marseille in order to connect with several Latter-day Saint congregations. Meanwhile, Elder Palmer will travel to France, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland, with a specific ministry focused on young adults.
It did occur to me to wonder if either Elder Renlund or Elder Caussé might be on hand to also announce new temples for any of the locales in which they are visiting. But it is also possible that it is no more and no less than a ministry trip. Stay tuned for more apostolic ministry updates as they cross my radar. I will be back directly with some Church News updates. My thanks once again to you all.
Church News staff writer Aimee Cobabe writes about witnessing the Lord's prophet; a Latter-day Saint with an Olympic dream is preparing to assist with the Salt Lake Temple open house next year; and the <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2026/02/21/music-and-the-spoken-word-tabernacle-choir-fear-not/: >text of the message</a> that will be given by Brother Derrick Porter during tomorrow's 5,032nd episode of "Music & the Spoken Word". My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe link to the last report above was broken. I apologize for the oversight. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteThe Church News has published an additional report.that speaks for itself. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteAn unexpected development was just reported by the Newsroom: Apparently ground was broken for the Fairview Texas Temple at some point today. Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, First Counselor in the United States Southwest Area Presidency, presided at the groundbreaking. I assume the groundbreaking wasn't announced before it happened due to the general opposition to this temple in every phase up to now. Anyways, this is good news indeed. My thanks once again to you all.
DeleteI have updated my side-by-side comparison of temple groundbreakings in 2025 vs.2026.The 2026 groundbreakings, including the upcoming one planned for the Huehuetenango Guatemala Temple on March 14, now total four. Last year, the fourth temple groundbreaking didn't occur until Saturday, March 22. So we are eight days ahead of where we stood for the fourth temple groundbreaking in 2025. Hopefully within the next week or two, several groundbreakings and temple dedications might be announced. My thanks once again to you all.
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