Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Ronald A. Rasband was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. He had been serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since 2005 and was serving as the senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy when called to the Twelve. Elder Rasband was named a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 1, 2000. He has served as a counselor in the Europe Central Area Presidency, president of the Utah Salt Lake City Area, executive director of the Temple Department; and has supervised the North America West, Northwest, and three Utah areas as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Elder Rasband attended the University of Utah. In 1995, Utah Valley University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Business and Commerce. In 1976 he joined Huntsman Container Company as sales representative, and in 1987, he was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Huntsman Chemical Corporation.
When he left Huntsman Chemical Corporation in 1996 to serve as a mission president in New York, he was also serving as a member of the Board of Directors.
Elder Rasband has held numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Eastern States Mission (1970-1972), Temple Square missionary guide, bishop, and member of the Church¹s Sesquicentennial Committee. He presided over the New York, New York North Mission from 1996 to 1999.
Elder Rasband was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1951. He married Melanie Twitchell in 1973. They are the parents of five children.
More information about Elder Rasband from a November 2015 article in the “News of the Church”:
After Elder Ronald A. Rasband received his call to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he read John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.” Elder Rasband said, “I had a spiritual impression that there is nothing about this call that was my desire. It was the Lord’s decision.” At age 19, Elder Rasband had already learned a similar lesson about submitting to the Lord’s decisions. He had hoped to serve a mission in Germany, as had his father and older brother, but instead was called to the Eastern States Mission. He turned to his scriptures and read in the Section 100 of the D&C: “Therefore, follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall give unto you. An effectual door shall be opened up in the regions round about in this eastern land… Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people.” (verses 2, 3, 5) He had a witness that he Lord wanted him to serve in the Eastern States Mission.
Elder Rasband, born on February 6, 1951, comes from humble circumstances. “I was born of a bread truck driver and a dear stay-at-home mother.” He comes from a multi-generational Latter-day Saint family, a heritage he treasures. In 1973, Elder Rasband married Melanie Twitchell. They have 5 children and 24 grandchildren. Elder Rasband credits his wife of 42 years for helping him become who he is today. “My wife has taken me life potter’s clay and molded me into something that really matter. It is her spiritual influence that has led not only to this beautiful and special calling but also to everything that I have done spiritually.”
In 1987, Elder Rasband became president and chief operating officer of a worldwide chemical corporation. He learned from his leaders how to be more effective in Church service. “I learned in my profession that people are more important than anything else that we can do.” He also leaned many, many leadership skills that have served him well as a General Authority. Elder Rasband has had plenty of opportunities to use those skills. He has served as bishop, mission president, General Authority Seventy since April 2000, supervisor of the Northeast America West, Northwest, and three Utah Areas, counselor in the Europe Central Area presidency, Executive Director of the Temple Department, member of the Presidency of the Seventy since 2005, and senior President of the Seventy since April 2009. His Church assignments have given him a love for Latter-day Saints everywhere. He tells members, “Your faith has increased our faith; your testimonies have added to our testimonies.” Elder Rasband is humbled to serve as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. “I have always had a desire to serve Him. I will devote my time, my talents, and everything I have now for the rest of my life. I am committed to do it. I am honored to do it.”
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