L. Tom Perry

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lowell Tom Perry (b. August 5, 1922) is a senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having been ordained to that body in 1974.

Born in Logan, Utah, Perry is a World War II veteran and graduate of Utah State University. He had a career in the retail business which was spent in Boston, Massachusetts, where he became a confirmed fan of the Boston Red Sox, even throwing out the first pitch in a game on 8 May 2004.

Having served the Church as a stake president, Perry first became a General Authority by serving in the now-dufunct position of Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972. When a vacancy among the Twelve Apostles was created by the death of Church President Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball's moving from the position of President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to that of Church President, Elder Perry was chosen as the first new Apostle of Kimball's administration, sustained to the Quorum on April 6, 1974, and ordained to the office of Apostle on April 11, 1974.

Today, Perry ranks after only Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, Quorum President Thomas S. Monson and Acting Quorum President Boyd K. Packer in Apostolic seniority. In 2004, Perry was asked by Hinckley serve as the Area President of the Europe Central Area of the Church, headquartered in Germany, a position normally held by a member of the Seventy, making Perry one of the most senior officials of the Church ever to be stationed away from Salt Lake City.

Preceded by Bruce R. McConkie

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles April 11, 1974–Present

Succeeded by David B. Haight