Reader comments
Brief biographies of new leaders called to LDS Church hierarchy

I think Geezergay needs to consider that there is a difference between MANAGEMENT and LEADERSHIP.

Just because someone is bussing table for 20 years doesn't mean they are not leaders, especially if they own the place.

The reason most GA's are from business is the need to understand domestic and international requirements of the Church, which are for the most part business based.

Granted there are few if any GA with fine arts backgrounds, but then, the Church is not known for its ability to encourage consenting opinions that contradicts or challenges doctrine.

I have a PhD and many of my books on anthropology, western migration of communities, and the origin of native americans don't include the BOM (Book of Mormon) as a citable source, and yes, I have gotten flack from members because of it. Doesn't mean the Church isn't true.

Like one of the earlier posters I immediately noticed that these biographies did not include information about where our leaders attended college. I'm also certain that many of these leaders attended school at the u. Afterall, the Lord best do have to go through the refiner's fire.

I'm sorry folks but don't you find it a little odd that god has chosen only sucessful business men, lawyers, accountants and marketing executives to be the hierarchy of his only "true church"? These men have devoted themselves to god alright...and also the almighty dollar. The lds church is a multi-billion dollar corporation, preying on the faith of people to make money. It's an "Abomination".

Wow...I am so amazed that a few simple biographies could bring so many varied comments. I highly doubt that these short biographies were written to offend anyone, or even to provoke any negative comments.

It is amazing to see how quickly people jump upon an opportunity to share negative responses. I am glad to see that so many LDS people are defending their religion as best they can.

To those of you who feel it a necesity to share negative remarks on this page, I ask you to reconsider, and let the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints enjoy the priviledge of rejoicing in their new leadership.

Thank you.

Unlike most churches, the LDS Church has no career clergy. Every one of the leaders called to these positions has already donated thousands of hours of service, without compensation, to assist members of the Church. By and large, they are giving up lucrative careers when they accept a call to serve in one of the very few full-time leadership positions as general authorities. People who live in Utah know how relatively modestly general authorities live, unlike the mansion of Reverend Jeremiah Wright. These are people that any organization in the world, business, government or non-profit, would love to have serving as leaders. Besides the lawyers and businessmen, there are academics: Elders Packer, Oaks, Nelson, Holland, Eyring and Bednar who have PhDs, MDs or JDs and were full time teachers, professors and university administrators. Two of the new Area Seventies were missionaries with me in Japan. Other denominations have difficulty getting people this successful to participate in church, let alone sacrifice their time and means to serve others. Remember Elder Uchtdorf's story of how President Monson, with painful feet, ascended five flights of stairs to visit and bless a dying member in Hamburg, Germany.

I believe we heard a significant piece of advice and wisdom from President Monson at Conference: let us be kind and have respect for everyone, regardless of what they write.

Thanks for showing the ignorance that we have come to know and expect from people who just have no clue.

It's amazing the fascination that many of you have with money and the church....

So sad that you have to prove your ignorance with your silly posts....

We were so thrilled to hear to that James B. Martino, my former Stake President and long-time friend, was called to be an Area Seventy. Elder Martino has blessed the lives of many with his generous service in so many ways. Our prayers are with him and his family as they embark this next phase of service to Heavenly Father's precious children. --Dr. Max S. Chartrand

More people are called by relation than revelation. People who live in SLC and Utah or anywhere the Church is large should already know that and it has been a saying in SLC for many decades. People call people they know and in whom they have proven experience and abilities. It is actually getting better now, because most of the higher ups don't want their own children living at the insane pace that their fathers do. I've noticed that many of the less successful and less competent of the GA's kids enter the fulltime paid Church service. It is very true though that many of these men give up very large salaries and ownership and bonuses to join the GA ranks. They are just men like everyone else, but they have skills that the Church needs. Yes, many do complain about the elitist nature of the executive types. But this is a mature organization now, and the talent and abilities continues to increase, so that the true nepotism of the decades before has in many respects disappeared. Would be nice to see a black in top spots.