Latter-day Saint Life

Apostles as kids quiz: Can you guess the prophet and apostles from their childhood photos?

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Most of us know the prophets and apostles of this dispensation by name and face. We can recognize them on a dime. But how well can you recognize the current Quorum of the Twelve and First Presidency as children?

1. This person grew up internationally and calls his wife the sunshine of his life.

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Additional hint: He worked for 37 years as a pilot

Answer: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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President Uchtdorf was born in the Czech Republic but grew up in Germany. He frequently talks about Harriet, his wife, whom he met in Germany as a youth. "She is loved by all who meet her as she accompanies me in my travels," he said in the 2016 October General Conference. "She has blessed the lives of many people through her love for the gospel and her sparkling personality. She truly is the sunshine of my life."

2. This leader visited widows, he calls bishops of the Church his heroes, and he served a mission in Japan.

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Additional hint: He served in the presiding bishopric for four years before being called as an apostle in 2015.

Answer: Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Elder Stevenson visited widows with his father when he was young. His father was "the bishop of [his] youth." He has had the opportunity to see bishops serving and as a result says, "The bishops of the Church are really my heroes, every single day they are having such an impact upon the members of the Church, particularly the children and young men and young women."

3. This person has worked in many different professions including business, law, and health administration. He served in the British Mission and has three children.

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Additional hint: This person celebrates his 10 year anniversary as an apostle in October 2017.  


Answer: Elder Quentin L. Cook

Elder Cook worked as vice chairman of Sutter Health System, Chief Executive Officer of a California Health System, and has been a board member of several organizations, all before he became a general authority.

4.This apostle originally intended to become a doctor, but became a teacher instead. After earning his master's degree in religious instruction, he taught in the Church Education System in California and Washington.

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Additional hint: He has spoken and helped open the discussion of mental illness in the Church.

▶ You may also like: ‘I had to have something in the tank’: Elder Holland addresses the importance of self-care


Answer: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

“I came home from my mission believing that God intended me to be a teacher," Elder Holland says. Since then, he has spoken in numerous conferences and youth firesides around the world. In Elder Holland's talk, "Like a Broken Vessel," he discusses the realities of depression as well as his experience with it.

5. This apostle worked on the film The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd and helped construct the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Additional hint: He speaks French, Portuguese, Spanish, and his native English.


Answer: Elder Neil L. Andersen

Elder Andersen specifically was in charge of the audiovisual production of The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd and helped with the audiovisual logistics of the Conference Center. Before he served as an apostle, he helped with missionary work in Brazil, Western Europe, and Mexico.

6. This apostle is known for his bold words and for serving as the president of a Church university for seven years.

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Additional hint: He served as president during the transition from Ricks College, a two-year college, to BYU-Idaho, a four-year University.


Answer: Elder David A. Bednar

Elder Bednar is known for giving sound counsel and bolding proclaiming the truth. He provided vital assistance while Ricks College transitioned to BYU—Idaho after President Hinckley's announcement in 2000.

7. This person is known for his reasoning and artful arguments. He has always encouraged others to choose the best option.

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Additional hint: He served as a Utah Supreme Court Justice for nine years.


Answer: Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Using sound logic, in Elder Oaks's talk, "Good Better Best," he remindsus that not all choices are equal, "As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good."

8. Service has been the hallmark of this apostle's time as a general authority. He worked in publishing and newspaper for much of his professional life.

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Additional hint: He recently celebrated his 90th birthday.


Answer: President Thomas S. Monson

Prior to being called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963, President Monson worked in the executive advertising department at Deseret News. He also worked for Deseret News Press, one of the largest printers in the West at the time.

9. This person worked at a chemical corporation before serving as a mission president in New York. He spent considerable time in North America as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy before being called as an apostle in 2015.

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Additional hint: He served a mission in his youth in the same area he was called as a mission president many years later.


Answer: Elder Ronald A. Rasband

At first, Elder Rasband thought he might serve in Germany, where his brother and father served. After praying and receiving confirmation he needed to serve in New York, Elder Rasband quickly became excited about his mission. His call as a youth would familiarize him with the area as he served in New York later as a mission president.

10. This person has a knack for business as he has held executive positions in three different companies. Not only that, but he worked as a jet fighter pilot in the Air Force and holds a Master's degree from Harvard.

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Additional hint: He was called to be an Elder's Quorum president while in graduate school at Harvard.


Answer: Elder Robert D. Hales

Elder Hales and Mary, his wife, have developed a pattern of trusting in the Lord and leaving matters in his hands. The choices Elder Hales and Mary made early in their marriage have stayed consistent throughout their life.

11. This apostle spent some of his time as a child involved in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.

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Additional hint: He served a mission in Argentina.


Answer: Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Growing up on the East Coast allowed Elder Christofferson to help with the Hill Cumorah Pageant in New York for two summers while growing up. He and Kathy, his wife, taught their children about history by dressing up and role-playing.

12. This person studied at the University of Utah and contributed significantly to the medical field.

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Additional hint: This person shares one of his names with another person in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.


Answer: President Russell M. Nelson

President Nelson's work and research as a surgeon led him to create a machine that would act as a person's heart so doctors could perform open heart surgery. Much later, he would perform heart surgery on, then, Elder Spencer W. Kimball.

13. This person and his wife participated in a Face to Face event in Ghana. They also served a mission in Africa.

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Additional hint: He was the 100th apostle to be called to the Church.


Answer: Elder Dale G. Renlund

Elder Renlund served in the Presidency of the Africa Southeast Area and has expressed his appreciation and admiration of the saints there. He says, “We were sent there and tutored by the Saints about what really matters.”

14. This apostle was called just moments before being sustained in general conference in 1985.

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Additional hint: He shares one of his names with another apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.


Answer: Elder M. Russell Ballard

Shortly before a session of general conference, President Hinckley called Elder Ballard and Barbara, his wife, to his office. Elder Ballard thought he was going to speak. Instead, he was invited to sit on the stand.

▶ You may also like: 5 of the sweetest stories from President Ballard’s ministry so far

15. This person has developed a respected talent for art, including wood carving, painting, and drawing. He and wife have six children, whom he affectionately calls, "The redheads."

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Additional hint: He earned his undergraduate degree in physics, but his masters and doctorate in business.


Answer: President Henry B. Eyring

President Eyring frequently was required to travel for work and his callings. While away, he would draw postcards to send back to Kathy and his children. President Boyd K. Packer also helped foster President Eyring's talent in the arts.

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