The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will soon have new leadership of Church Hosting. Those in this role represent the Church to dignitaries from around the world.
Gordon H. Smith and Sharon Smith will become the new directors of Church Hosting on July 1, 2025.
Prior to this assignment, Brother Smith served as an Area Seventy in North America Central, North America Northeast, and North America Southeast Areas. He served two terms as U.S. Senator for Oregon (1997 to 2009), where he chaired the Senate High Tech Task Force Committee and served on the Senate Finance and Foreign Relations Committees. Most recently, Brother Smith was president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters for more than a decade.
Sister Smith graduated magna cum laude in education from Brigham Young University and taught second grade. She has served as a local Relief Society president and in numerous causes with Senate spouses and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Brother and Sister Smith have three children and one foster daughter.
The Smiths will succeed J. Christopher and Erlynn E. Lansing, who have served as hosting directors since July 2021.
“We are deeply grateful for the Lansings’ exceptional service,” Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said. “Their contributions have been invaluable, and they leave a lasting impact on Church Hosting. We welcome Gordon and Sharon, who will carry on the important work of fostering positive relationships with global leaders.”