- Charles A. Didier
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Charles A. Didier First Quorum of the Seventy October 3, 1975 – October 3, 2009 Called by Spencer W. Kimball End reason Granted general authority emeritus status Presidency of the Seventy August 15, 1992 – August 15, 1995 Called by Ezra Taft Benson End reason Honorably released Presidency of the Seventy August 15, 2001 – August 15, 2007 Called by Gordon B. Hinckley End reason Honorably released Emeritus General Authority October 3, 2009 – Called by Thomas S. Monson Personal details Born Charles Amand Didier
October 5, 1935
Brussels, BelgiumCharles Amand Didier (born 5 October 1935) is an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). A native French speaker, Didier was the first European resident to have been called as a general authority in the history of the church.
Didier was born in Brussels, Belgium, the eldest son of André Didier and Gabrielle Colpaert. At age 22, Didier was baptized a member of the LDS Church in Brussels. Three months later, he received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained to the office of deacon. Nine months later he was ordained a teacher. After another four months, Didier became a priest. Two years after his baptism, Didier received the Melchizedek priesthood and was ordained to the office of elder.
Prior to his call as a general authority, Didier was the president of the France–Switzerland Mission of the church and a regional representative for the Twelve Apostles. In October 1975, Church President Spencer W. Kimball asked Didier to become a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, a full-time ecclesiastical position.
In 1984, when the first area presidencies in the church were created, Didier was made president of the South America North Area, which included Brazil as well as the Spanish-speaking nations of South America from Peru north.[1]
On 15 August 1992, Didier became one of the seven presidents of the Seventy; he served in this position until 15 August 1995, simultaneously serving as the general president of the church Sunday School program in 1994 and 1995. In 2001, Didier was again called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy. Until his second release from the Presidency of the Seventy in 2007, Didier's responsibilities included overseeing the area seventies in the North America Southwest Area of the church. In 2007, Didier was assigned as president of the newly consolidated Brazil Area of the church. Didier was made emeritus general authority in the October 2009 general conference.
Didier is married to Lucie Lodomez; the couple have two children.
Notes
- ^ “Area Presidencies Called as Church Modifies Geographical Administration,” Ensign, Aug. 1984, 75.
References
- “Elder Charles A. Didier of the First Quorum of the Seventy”, Ensign, Nov. 1975, 135–36.
- Charles Didier, “Remember Your Covenants” Ensign, May 1994, 42.
External links
General presidents of the Sunday School of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Cannon (1867–1901) • Snow (1901) • Smith (1901–1918) • D.O. McKay (1918–1934) • Pyper (1934–1943) • Bennion (1943–1949) • Hill (1949–1966) • D.L. McKay (1966–1971) • Nelson (1971–1979) • Pinnock (1979–1986) • Simpson (1986–1989) • Pinnock (1989–1992) • Lybbert (1992–1994) • Didier (1994–1995) • Hillam (1995–2000) • Jensen (2000–2001) • Samuelson (2001–2003) • Bateman (2003–2004) • Merrill (2004–2009) • Osguthorpe (2009–)Emeritus general authorities1 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Abrea • Backman • Banks • Bateman • Bradford • Brewerton • Busche • Carmack • Child • Christensen • Clarke • Cook • Condie • Dellenbach • Didier • Featherstone • Groberg • Hafen • Hammond • Hansen • Hillam • Howard • Johnson • Kendrick • Kerr • Kofford • Larsen • Madsen • Mickelsen • Morrison • Neuenschwander • Pace •Paramore • Peterson • Pinegar • Poelman • Porter • Rector • Smith2 • Sorensen • Tingey • Wells • Wickman1. Emeritus general authorities are individuals who have been released from active duties as general authorities. However, they remain general authorities of the church until their death. Most living emeritus general authorities are former members of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
2. Patriarch emeritus and former Patriarch to the Church; Smith is the oldest living general authority and the only emeritus general authority who was not a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.Categories:- 1935 births
- Belgian Latter Day Saints
- Belgian Mormon missionaries
- Belgian religious leaders
- Converts to Mormonism
- Living people
- Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Mission presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Mormon missionaries in France
- Mormon missionaries in Switzerland
- People from Brussels
- Regional representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- 20th-century Mormon missionaries
- General Presidents of the Sunday School (LDS Church)
- Presidents of the seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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