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LDS General Conference: Elder Neil L. Andersen humbled by call to Twelve

Carol Anglin | 7:23 p.m. April 4, 2009

I have known Elder Anderson for many years as I served in the Tampa Stake and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is a man of God like unto any others I have been blessed to meet in the General Presidency of the Church. He served me and my family for many years as our leader and went out of his way to minister to my children in very special ways. I feel it an honor to know him on a personal level and want him to know that I raised my hand to support him with tears in my eyes when I realized just how blessed I was to be considered one of his friends. The Church will be greatly blessed by his leadership as they have been previously and I am a better person to have known him so well. His eternal companion, Kathy, is a remarkable woman with a sweetness and tenderness few people possess. I love her and her family likewise. I will sending them a personal letter of love and support. God bless this wonderful family as they serve!
Carol Anglin

Anonymous | 8:11 p.m. April 4, 2009

I sustain him.

diane | 8:22 p.m. April 4, 2009

I am a relatively new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The doctrine spoke to my soul in a manner that I can never deny. This was quite surprising given that I was never an advocate of organized religion. Despite my strong belief and commitment to this Church, I too, would welcome an ethnic shift in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As a psychologist, I understand how important perceived similarity is to the role modeling process. It is, therefore, highly likely that as the Quorum of the Twelve become more diverse, so will the Church population.
I am certain that our Heavenly Father is as excited about this prospect as I am. I am not sure of what the hold up is, but I feel certain it will happen in due time.

Comments continue below

Mike | 8:48 p.m. April 4, 2009

The time will shortly come when the majority of the church members will no longer be of Anglo/European origins. Then, some years later the majority of church members will no longer be of Hispanic origins. Whether the majority will then be Chinese of African, who knows (or cares)?

As to whether The Quorum of The Twelve will include brethren of those races is imaterial.

It may be a bigger hurdle for some LDS to have an Hispanic, African of Chinese Apostle than 15 white ones. But it won't make any difference to the work or The Lord going forward in the lives of individuals one-by-one all over the world.

Be grateful that we have Apostles and Prophets, quit whining over their color.

No wonder God refers to us as children!

mom of five | 8:50 p.m. April 4, 2009

I completely sustain Elder Anderson, but I too am looking forward to the day when we have a more diverse selection of apostles. Now that more than 1/2 of the members of the church live outside of the United States, surely that day is coming.

pramod kumar | 9:08 p.m. April 4, 2009

iam from india. the church is relatively new here. we are all excited to know the calling of the new apostle. i know that elder andersen is called of god and i am grateful to the lord for he speaks through his servants the prophets. i am also happy for elder halstrom, he was our asia area president and i had the privelege of meeting him in hongkong and also to be with him in one of our temple sessions. the lords work moves forward and nothing shall stop it.

Zach | 9:16 p.m. April 4, 2009

I don't think it will be long. Already in the 70 there are brethren serving from all over the world. Within the order of the church, it takes time for the leadership to reflect the current make-up of the people. Most 70s have served as Stake Presidents, and most of those have been bishops, and those have been priesthood leaders in other capacities. The church has grown much stronger in Central and South America particularly, so out of that strength will come many future church leaders.

Charles | 9:40 p.m. April 4, 2009

I really don't understand the "gossip" regarding the race of the Apostles. More "diversity" (great code word in the PC world of today) means nothing.

The gospel is preached to every nation, kindred and tongue. The Lord calls who He wants based on obedience. It has nothing, NOTHING, to do with where they were born....

Revelation | 11:21 p.m. April 4, 2009

Isn't it great that Christ continues to call his apostles today through revelation! Isn't it great that we too can ask our Father in Heaven if these men really are prophets of God. And isn't it even greater that he answers us too! I know this for myself. I know Elder Anderson is called by the same man that called Peter. Christ is leading His Church. Isn't it wonderful.

Dear Charles | 11:32 p.m. April 4, 2009

I agree 100%. The Lord is in charge of this work and He calls who He says He wants. It is not up to the Prophet to choose the next apostle, it comes from the Lord and no one else. It is His Church.

Those who continue to harp on this issue simply do not have the deep deep testimony of revelation and that the Lord calls whom He will call. It is not up to man to decide the ethnicity of the Quorum of the 12 or the Quorums of the 70. Far too many people are using their logic and worldly views to push for changes. Trying to be politically correct should not be part of the Church.

When the Church bows to such pressure it will no longer be the Lord's Church, but become like so many other churches mixing religion with worldly views Elder Andersen, regardless of ethnicity, is the One the Lord wants in that position at this time for a specific purpose. It is now up to us to pray and receive that personal testimony for ourselves. I raised my hand high to sustain him and keep it mentally high.

4 languages. wow | 12:49 a.m. April 5, 2009

How and when did he learn Spanish and Portuguese? That is impressive. Is he going to record his talks in all three of the foreign languages he knows? That would be cool. Guess he already has the gift of tongues...

Jealous | 1:08 a.m. April 5, 2009

Though I am a lifelong, active member, RM, and student of the church/doctrine. I have yet to obtain that "beyond a shadow of doubt" assurance about all things Mormon. Bummer for my type, and good for those whose witnesses come so easily.

Tabitha | 1:33 a.m. April 5, 2009

I think Mike says it best. However, so does the Bible and the Book of Mormon. There will definitely be a shift and The Prophets, Seers,and Revelators are more than aware of this...Maybe they can do a talk on this to help others understand, so that those who do not understand prophecy/revelation in regards to this subject won't be divided or caught up in the contentious spirit that typically comes when dealing with the subject of race. The timing for this change as with any revelation is Gods. I wish I could take the time to clarify the revelation on this topic but it also comes with spiritual understanding. This is the True Church and I am convinced of it more and more. As prophecy must be fulfilled, you will see more changes implemented by the Presidency. I have heard some argue that when they make changes it confirms that they are not Prophets and that they are inconsistent, but the bible always speaks of revelations, mysteries, and continued understanding to the believer.

J.Roberto Viveiros | 2:26 a.m. April 5, 2009

Whose on the Lord side ...Who???? Apostle Neil L. Andersen of course ... fantastic calling ... and all our support and prayers ...

Barry Branson | 5:49 a.m. April 5, 2009

I first met Elder Anderson in Idaho when, as a missionary I was teaching investigaters in his parents home in Pocatello when he and Kathy came home for a visit from BYU,not knowing that my future wifes mother(Naomi Strickland) was best friend with Kathys mother.I have seen Elder Anderson as an Elders quorum President in clearwater Fl., as a Stake President in Tampa,as a Mission President in France when he and Kathy tried to keep my best friends marriage together.He is a man of God.I have spent time one on one with Him.It touches my heart to have seen first hand the making of an Apostle...I don't think we will fully grasp how deep our Fathers Love for us flows in this life...But perhaps when our eyes meet,and we feel his arms around us, holding us...it will hit us.

A B Laurence | 5:51 a.m. April 5, 2009

This is the third Apostle from Logan, Utah

L. Tom Perry
Quentin L. Cook
Neil L. Anderson

One Fourth of the Apostle's are from Logan

A B Laurence

Anonymous | 10:57 a.m. April 5, 2009

He is a man. Nothing more. Call no man good. Only one is good and that is God.

Athens RM. | 3:44 p.m. April 5, 2009

Met him in Athens 15 years ago, believe he'd recently been called to the Seventy after returning from France as a Mission President.

He is funny, kind, enthusiastic and a great teacher (in word and deed).

My companion and I looked at eachother after 2 minutes in Zone Conference, nodded, and knew that one day he would be an Apostle... perhaps one day President.

I'm not even LDS anymore but this fella is a keeper.

Gava | 6:49 p.m. April 5, 2009

I sustained the new apostle of the Lord!

Virginia | 9:55 p.m. April 5, 2009

I found out that I am related to Elder Andersen. Our mother's are first cousins. They grew up across the street from one another in Whitney, Idaho. I am going to try and be the kind of person he is.

I was impressed... | 11:03 p.m. April 5, 2009

I was very impressed with our newest Apostle! I liked his kindly eyes, and his wonderful comments. As I sustained him, the thought came to me that The Lord doesn't choose a man because he might be personable, or a good speaker, handsome or popular. He chooses who he NEEDS. He knows all of us, and he knows the events that are coming in the future. He chooses each apostle, and prophet, according to the need of the church, and the world.
We don't know what he will be called upon to do in the future...but, the Lord is very careful to choose the man for the job he needs done. What a sense of peace...to know that we are in the hands of a wise, loving Heavenly Father.

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20 photos

August Miller, Deseret News

Elder Neil L. Andersen, left, the newly-named apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, takes his spot on the stand next to Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during the 179th Annual General Conference of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City Saturday.

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LDS General Conference: Elder Neil L. Andersen humbled by call to Twelve

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LDS General Conference: Elder Neil L. Andersen humbled by call to Twelve