Clark G. Gilbert, the commissioner of education for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who has drawn criticism from a number of educators in the faith’s universities, was named Thursday as the its newest apostle.
Gilbert is the second apostle selected by church President Dallin H. Oaks in his 4-month-old administration.
Gilbert fills the seat left vacant by the death of another educator, apostle Jeffrey R. Holland.
The 55-year-old Gilbert was called Wednesday and ordained Thursday by Oaks and the other members of the governing First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, according to a news release. He has served as a general authority Seventy since April 2021 and as education commissioner since August 2021.
“This is an amazing time to point people to the Savior Jesus Christ,” Gilbert said Thursday in the 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.”
Oaks chose Frenchman Gérald Caussé in November for the apostleship, a little more than a month after church President Russell M. Nelson died.
The story is developing.