The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced Elder Clark G. Gilbert as its newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - one of the highest leadership bodies in the global faith.
Called on Feb. 11 and ordained on Feb. 12 by Church President Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Gilbert steps into the apostleship following recent leadership transitions within the Church. At 55, he brings a unique blend of academic excellence, executive leadership, and deep Church service.
Born in Oakland, California, and raised primarily in Phoenix, Arizona, Gilbert's path to Church leadership included years in higher education. He earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Brigham Young University in 1994, followed by a master's degree from Stanford University and a doctorate in business administration from Harvard University in 2001. He later joined the faculty at Harvard Business School.
In 2006, however, Gilbert made a pivotal move - leaving Harvard to join BYU-Idaho at the invitation of then-university president Kim B. Clark. That decision marked the beginning of significant leadership roles within Church education.
Over the years, he has served as:
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CEO of Deseret Digital Media
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President of Deseret News
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President of BYU-Idaho
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Founding President of BYU-Pathway Worldwide
BYU-Pathway Worldwide, launched in 2009, has since served more than 288,000 students across 180 countries, combining online education with spiritual development.
Since April 2021, Gilbert has served as a General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of the Church Educational System, overseeing multiple Church-sponsored institutions worldwide.
In remarks following his ordination, Elder Gilbert emphasized his central focus: "This is an amazing time to point people to the Savior Jesus Christ. When we do that, we can find joy and comfort and peace in Him."
He and his wife, Christine, were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1994 and are the parents of eight children.
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Gilbert now joins Church leaders tasked with guiding the global membership in doctrine, faith, and spiritual direction.
