Additional Resource

Biography Information for New Apostles

The following biographical information is provided for three new apostles named on October 3, 2015 (see news release):

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

Birth: February 6, 1951, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Marriage and Family: Married Melanie Twitchell in 1973. They are the parents of five children and have 24 grandchildren.

Education and Career: While studying at the University of Utah, Elder Rasband joined Huntsman Container Company in 1976 as a sales representative, and in 1987 he was appointed president and chief operating officer of Huntsman Chemical Corporation. In 1995, Utah Valley University awarded him an honorary doctorate of business and commerce.

Church Service: Served as a full-time missionary (Eastern States, U.S.), bishop, mission president and in many other callings.

Service as a Church General Authority: Named a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 1, 2000. Called as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy in 2005 and was named senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy on April 4, 2009. Named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Birth: August 6, 1955, Ogden, Utah.

Marriage and Family: Married Lesa Jean Higley in April 1979. They are the parents of four sons and have six grandchildren.

Education and Career: He holds a degree in business administration from Utah State University. He cofounded and served as president and chief operating officer of Icon Health & Fitness, Inc.

Church Service: Served as a full-time missionary (Japan), counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, mission president and in many other callings.

Service as a Church General Authority: Named a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy in 2008 and served as president of the Asia North Area, based in Japan. Called as the Presiding Bishop of the Church in April 2012. Named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015.

Elder Dale G. Renlund

Birth: November 13, 1952, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Marriage and Family: Married Ruth Lybbert in June of 1977. They are the parents of one daughter.

Education and Career: After receiving B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Utah, Elder Renlund received further medical and research training at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was a professor of medicine at the University of Utah and the medical director of the Utah Transplantation Affiliated Hospitals (UTAH) Cardiac Transplant Program.

Church Service: Served as a full-time missionary (Sweden), stake president, bishop, area seventy and in many other callings.

Service as a Church General Authority: Named a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 4, 2009, and served as the president of the Africa Southeast Area. Named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015.

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