LDS Church announces new leaders in 188th General Conference

It was an historic day for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as two new Apostles were called, the first Asian American and the first South American who are now members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Elder Gerrit Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares took their seats as new Apostles during Saturday morning’s solemn assembly.

Elder Gong was serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. In April 2016, he spoke of the Savior.

“He testifies, ‘I am He who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.’ “

He had served as a General Authority Seventy from April 3, 2010 until the time of his call to the Twelve. He was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on October 6, 2015. From 2011 to 2015, Elder Gong was a member of the Asia Area Presidency, headquartered in Hong Kong, and concluded that service as the Area President.

Elder Gong received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian and university studies from Brigham Young University in 1977. In 1979, he received a Master of Philosophy degree and in 1981 a doctorate in international relations from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. In 1985 he served as Special Assistant to the Undersecretary of State at the U.S. State Department and in 1987 as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador in Beijing, China. From 1989 he served in several positions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He was assistant to the president for planning and assessment at Brigham Young University until April 2010.

Elder Gong has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Taiwan Taipei Mission, High Councilor, High Priests Group Leader, Stake Sunday School President, Seminary teacher, Bishop, Stake Mission President, Stake President and Area Seventy.

Gerrit Walter Gong was born in Redwood City, California on December 23, 1953. He married Susan Lindsay in January 1980. They are the parents of four children and three grandchildren.

Elder Soares was also serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. He spoke in General Conference last April. “Testify that God is real. He lives, He loves us, He listens to our prayers, in our moments of happiness and in our moments of doubt.”

Elder Ulisses Soares was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. He had been serving as a General Authority Seventy since April 2, 2005 and was named a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on January 6, 2013. He served previously as a counselor in the Africa Southeast Area, President of the Brazil Area and as a counselor in the Brazil South Area.

Elder Soares received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and economics from the São Paulo Pontifical Catholic University, School of Economic Science in 1985 and later received a Master of Business Administration degree. He was an accountant and auditor for multinational corporations in Brazil and director for temporal affairs in the Church area office in São Paulo, Brazil. At the time of his call as a General Authority, he was serving on a special assignment for the Presiding Bishopric of the Church in Salt Lake City.

Elder Soares has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission, Elders Quorum President, Counselor in a Bishopric, High Councilor, Stake Executive Secretary, Regional Welfare Agent, Stake President and President of the Portugal Porto Mission (2000–2003).

Ulisses Soares was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on October 2, 1958. He married Rosana Fernandes in October 1982. They are the parents of three children and three grandchildren.

Sister Bonnie Oscarson was released today as Young Women General President, a position she has held for the past five years. She spoke in Saturday’s afternoon session, saying that every teenage girl in the faith should feel valued. “Our young women are amazing. They have talents, unlimited enthusiasm, and energy and they are compassionate and caring. They want to be of service.”

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon will now serve as General President of the Young Women organization, which is for Latter-day Saint girls ages 12 through 17. Michelle Craig was called as the First Counselor, and Becky Craven, the Second Counselor.
Lisa Harkness was called as the new First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. The Primary is for children ages 18 months to 11 years.

All of the new leaders will begin serving in their new callings immediately.