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British Convert Patrick Kearon Named to Latter-day Saint Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Salt Lake City, UT — Elder Patrick Kearon, a dual British and Irish national, has been called and ordained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), filling a vacancy created by the death of President M. Russell Ballard in late 2023. The appointment is considered historically significant, marking the first time in over a century that a convert to the Church, who was not born into a multigenerational Latter-day Saint family, has been called to this revered leadership body. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles functions as the second-highest governing body in the global Church, serving under the First Presidency (comprising the Church President and his two counsellors). Members of the Quorum are sustained by adherents as "prophets, seers, and revelators," tasked with overseeing the worldwide spiritual and temporal affairs of the faith, which numbers over 17 million members. The appointment of Elder Kearon, who spent the first decades of his life outside the faith, signals a broadening of cultural representation at the highest levels of the Church’s administration. A Life Across Continents and Industries Born in Carlisle, Cumberland, England, in 1961, Patrick Robert David Kearon spent much of his youth abroad, including time in Saudi Arabia where his father worked in the defence industry. He was educated in the UK and the Middle East, later forgoing further formal education to enter the workforce after his father’s passing. His professional career before beginning full-time Church service included working for a Member of Parliament in the UK and holding management positions with Nestlé in England, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.
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He eventually established his own successful communications consulting company, grounding him in both international business and public affairs—a background seen by analysts as invaluable for the global outreach of the Quorum. Elder Kearon's conversion to the Church came in adulthood. While living in California, he first encountered the faith through a Latter-day Saint family he lodged with. A few years later, a chance meeting with missionaries on the streets of London led him to study the gospel, culminating in his baptism on Christmas Eve 1987 at the age of 26. Advocate for Religious Liberty and Refugees Prior to his apostolic calling, Elder Kearon served as a General Authority Seventy since 2010, including a term in the Presidency of the Seventy. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the President of the Church’s Europe Area, a period that coincided with the height of the European refugee crisis. This experience heavily influenced his public ministry, making him one of the Church’s most visible advocates for humanitarian aid and interfaith cooperation. He is widely remembered for a powerful address in the Church’s April 2016 General Conference titled “Refuge from the Storm,” where he called upon members to extend unconditional assistance to displaced peoples. “Their story is our story, not that many years ago,” he later stated, referencing the historical persecution and migration of early Latter-day Saints.
Beyond humanitarian work, Elder Kearon has also been a vocal proponent of religious freedom. He has consistently emphasised that defending religious liberty must be universal, saying: “Religious freedom means nothing if you protect your own religious practice while neglecting the practice of others, especially those who might be less secure and able to defend themselves. ” Transition to a New Global Stewardship The news of his appointment, announced privately in December 2023 and sustained publicly at the subsequent General Conference, was met with surprise and support across the faith. The lifetime commitment requires him to dedicate his life entirely to the service of the Church, travelling globally to minister to members and leaders. Speaking shortly after his ordination, Elder Kearon acknowledged the weight of the responsibility. "This sacred call is so very daunting and humbling to me," he said in a statement to the Church Newsroom. "I will need to place all my trust in the Saviour as I seek to become what He needs me to be and share my witness of His love and light. " Analysts suggest that Elder Kearon's European heritage and background as an adult convert will bring a unique, international perspective to a governing body that has historically been predominantly American. Professor Deidre Johnson, a scholar of contemporary religious movements, noted: "His experience overseeing the Church's work during the intense political and social pressures faced in Europe gives him a nuanced understanding of global challenges.
He is uniquely positioned to speak to a Church that is becoming increasingly globalised and diverse. " In his most recent major address at the October 2025 General Conference, Elder Kearon focused on the theme of hope and renewal in the gospel. His message, titled "Jesus Christ and Your New Beginning," emphasised the power of continuous repentance and second chances. He told the audience: “New beginnings are at the heart of the Father's plan for His children. This is the church of new beginnings! This is the church of fresh starts!” Outlook Elder Kearon’s ascension to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles marks a notable moment for the British and Irish membership of the LDS Church and for the faith’s ongoing efforts to diversify its top leadership. His ministry is expected to continue focusing on the themes of Christ-centred change, compassion, and global outreach, especially humanitarian efforts. As the junior member of the Quorum, his influence will shape the Church’s doctrine and policy for decades, solidifying a global and convert-friendly narrative at the institution’s core. The appointment of Elder Kearon as the newest Apostle is a significant moment in the Church’s recent history, and you can see excerpts from his previous public addresses in this video, Moments with Elder Kearon.
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