The newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been ordained.
According to the Church Newsroom, Elder Patrick Kearon was called and ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles yesterday by President Russell M. Nelson and other members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Apostles act as Special Witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world. They also have significant administrative responsibilities in overseeing the operation and development of the Church. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles serves under the direction of the First Presidency, which includes the Church president and two counselors.
Elder Kearon has served as the senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy since 2020. He will fill the spot left by President M. Russell Ballard, who died on Nov. 12.
Elder Kearon was raised in the United Kingdom and the Middle East, where his father worked in the defense industry. As an adult, he worked in the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
He joined the Church as a young adult and met his wife, Jennifer Hulme, two years later. They have four children.
About his new calling, Elder Kearon said, "This sacred call is so very daunting and humbling to me. 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."
Elder Kearon will be sustained at the April 2024 general conference.