Clark G. Gilbert ordained as apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Photo supplied, Intellectual Reserve
Elder Clark G. Gilbert and his wife, Christine, speak about his new call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the calling and ordination of Elder Clark G. Gilbert as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Thursday.
The call fills a vacancy in the quorum following the death of President Jeffrey R. Holland on Dec. 27, 2025.
Gilbert, 55, has served as a general authority and the commissioner of the Church Educational System since 2021, overseeing Brigham Young University, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, Ensign College, BYU-Pathway Worldwide and Seminaries and Institutes of Religion.
“This is an amazing time to point people to the Savior Jesus Christ,” Elder Gilbert said on Thursday in a church news release. “When we do that, we can find joy and comfort and peace in Him. As President (Russell M.) Nelson once said, it’s much harder to find happiness where it doesn’t exist. And we’re so grateful that I have this calling now to witness that Jesus is the Christ. If people all across the world will look to Him, He will make their lives better, more meaningful, more joyful. And it happens in and through our Savior Jesus Christ.”
Gilbert has been a visible figure at BYU, most recently accompanying church President Dallin H. Oaks to his talk at Tuesday’s BYU Devotional.
In April 2025, he delivered the BYU commencement speech, where he challenged graduates to “have the courage to stand up and be that light to the world” and go forward as an ambassador and peacemaker.
Gilbert was born in Oakland, California, and grew up in Phoenix. He attended BYU as an undergraduate, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in international relations, then received a master’s degree in East Asian studies from Stanford and a doctorate in business administration from Harvard.
He later served as CEO of Deseret Digital Media, president of Deseret News, president of BYU Idaho and president of BYU Pathways, prior to his call as a general authority.
