A Work That No Other Can Do

Each Apostle brings unique talents and experiences to bear on his assignment. Each was distinguished in his career. Each is different in personality and style, yet they share common qualities. They are happy, positive, and reassuring to be around. So often, those who meet an Apostle of Jesus Christ are impressed with their courtesy and genuine nature.

There is an urgency about the Apostles to get things done—a drive to bless, bring comfort, and bear witness.

“For three decades, it has been my honor and privilege to associate with the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve. “Without exception, every one of these men has helped me become a better disciple of Jesus Christ.

“As we gathered recently to take a quorum photo, I felt a sense of immense gratitude to be part of an ongoing order of ancient and modern-day disciples of Jesus Christ.

“The names and faces … in this quorum change over time, but that which is essential remains: each apostle has accepted the charge ‘to be a special witness of the name of Christ in all the world’ [see Doctrine and Covenants 107:23]. No sweeter work could ever be given to anyone, nor any finer group of men with which to do it.”

“Feelings of gratitude for the Savior overwhelmed me today as we considered His sacrifice in two special locations,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, while touring sacred sites in Israel in 2023. “We visited the Garden Tomb,” where the body of Christ could have been laid.

“We also visited the area considered by some to be the Garden of Gethsemane. As we walked among centuries-old olive trees, we listened to scripture verses describing the Savior’s solemn sacrifice on our behalf in the garden and on the cross.

“Jesus Christ’s agonizing experience in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross deserve our complete respect and total reverence. Similarly, the wonderful events that occurred on the third day following His crucifixion deserve to occupy a place of awe and eternal gratitude within our hearts and minds.

“As a disciple of Christ, I am blessed to proclaim my testimony that He lives!”

In a social media post about reverence for the Lord, Elder Gerrit W. Gong encouraged, “Let us always speak with warm and reverent gratitude for God’s work and glory and the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.”

“It takes the Lord a long time to school an Apostle,” President Russell M. Nelson said. “When that man is called to the Twelve, the Lord has something unique He expects that man to contribute.”

Along the path of each Apostle come tests—“examinations in courage and patience”—always soul searching, sometimes life-threatening.

“There is always a test,” President Nelson said, describing the work in the Lord’s service. “Are you willing to do really hard things? Once you’ve shown you’re willing to do your part, He will help you.”

While addressing members in Australia, Elder Cook gave a glimpse of his experience by telling how members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have felt unprepared and inadequate just as ward leaders sometimes feel. “To be an Apostle, in the service of the Lord, is very humbling,” he said.

As a newly called Apostle, Elder Neil L. Andersen explained that although he felt inadequate and humbled, he took comfort in that the Lord had blessed him with at least one qualification: “I do know with perfect and certain clarity through the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, the Beloved Son of God.”

“I’ve been asked what it feels like to be the newest Apostle,” said Elder Patrick Kearon the day after his call to the Quorum of the Twelve.

“I’ve had every conceivable emotion, and I know this is far beyond me. But I will plead for help. I do absolutely believe in a loving Father in Heaven and His Son, our Savior. And I know that They will help. And I’m counting on it. And I will do my best to become, over time, something along the lines of an Apostle that you might have in your imagination.

“And so on this day when I’m struggling, 24 hours after the call, to come to terms with this, if you’re having a day that you feel stretched … beyond your wildest imagination, well, I’m right there with you.”

Ambassadors to the World

Referring to Doctrine and Covenants 107:23, in which the Lord calls the Twelve Apostles to be “special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world,” President Nelson observed: “Each member of the Twelve is an Apostle for the whole world. He needs to learn about every part of the world, along with the people and languages and history.”

Their work spans the globe. They meet with heads of state, local dignitaries, the media, and members of the Church in large and in private settings. The hours can be long and the demand great. As ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ, their lives are no longer their own.

During a tightly booked, 12-day global ministry tour last year through six European countries—where sleep often came during a night flight between countries—Elder D. Todd Christofferson met with government leaders, full-time missionaries, and local Church members.

Of note was a meeting with the Minister of Culture and Media in Croatia, where he offered Church assistance to help the many refugees flooding into her country from war-torn Ukraine. “We … found that there were a lot of different ways … we could collaborate, especially [in helping] those who are in great need,” Elder Christofferson said.

During a nine-day journey to several African countries last year, Elder Gary E. Stevenson visited the Makuburi Health Center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the Church is helping to expand the center. “When we see the service that is being provided to mothers and children here,” said Elder Stevenson, “our hearts are touched.”

To mark the 30-year anniversary of the Church in Cambodia, Elder Renlund met with Cambodia’s prime minister, whom he described as “a remarkable individual.”

The Apostle, a former cardiologist, told the prime minister that the Church of Jesus Christ was donating nearly US $2.2 million so that a cardiac center can be added to a hospital in Siem Reap, located about 200 miles (320 km) north of Phnom Penh, to bring better health care to those like the prime minister’s uncle, who died from an acute coronary syndrome.

“I had the privilege to be with members, leaders, and missionaries in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and in Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Tokyo, Japan,” said Elder Ulisses Soares after visiting the Asia North Area in 2024. “In every meeting or personal interaction, I felt the incredible love and faith these people have for the Lord. Their marvelous conversion stories touched me deeply and strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ and of His restored gospel on earth.

“… What a blessing it was for me to feel the Spirit of the Lord and His love among these great disciples of Christ in these countries.”

Opening doors to the gospel in various countries is a key apostolic responsibility: “The Twelve being sent out, holding the keys, to open the door by the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:35).

In President Nelson’s experience as a member of the Twelve, doors to the gospel have been opened differently. Sometimes the Spirit worked on a government leader until “he began to change his mind about us,” President Nelson said. Another time a man who was unwilling to talk with Church leaders was removed from office, and the Lord gave “us a man we could talk to.” In each case, President Nelson said, “the message [from heaven] to me was the same: ‘Work your heart out. … Take the risks. Then when you can’t go any further, I’ll help you.’”

The joy of an Apostle’s work, they say, comes when balancing the challenging needs of speaking to large groups as well as ministering to the individual. They visit members in their homes to give a blessing, express gratitude, or provide needed counsel.

Elder Bednar said: “The Lord sends a member of the Quorum of the Twelve to specific places at particular times where we encounter faithful Latter-day Saints and others who often are struggling or are in need of comfort and reassurance. God orchestrates those interactions.”

At times their service is very public, like when Elder Stevenson took part in a high-profile news conference in Nairobi, Kenya, that was broadcast on live national television. “A question that might be on … your minds is, ‘What is an Apostle?’” Elder Stevenson said during the broadcast. “We … are called to go into the nations of the world and bear witness of the divine Sonship of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.”

“It’s all about Him,” said Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. “We are representing Him. It is all about God and His greatness and His importance for the happiness of His children.”

Their work is sometimes closer to home—literally. Elder Bednar was repairing the roof on his home one day and went to a local store to purchase some supplies. He was wearing work clothes: casual pants and shoes, a T-shirt, and a baseball hat.

“A man approached me as I was selecting my supplies and said, ‘Elder Bednar, the disguise is not working.’ We laughed, and then he inquired, ‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’

“I responded, ‘Well, that is why I am here.’

“He replied quizzically, ‘What do you mean?’

“I said, ‘… I am here because God knew we were going to meet each other in this store and that you had something about which you wanted to ask. Please go ahead and share with me your question.’

“We talked in the aisle for about 15 minutes, and I tried to help him find the answer to his question. Was it merely a coincidence that I encountered this good man at the local store? Or was this episode divinely orchestrated by a loving Savior who … responded to the concerns of a faithful man—a one?

“I believe that in the work of the Lord there is no such thing as a coincidence. The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

Facing Challenges with Faith in the Lord

Vast and complex problems face today’s Apostles. They seek inspiration as they teach and minister to a worldwide congregation of more than 17 million Church members being tested by challenges such as political unrest, pornography, relentless social media pressures, or economic uncertainties. Conflict between nations disrupts the work. The erosion of traditional values challenges social stability.

Members of the Twelve are sobered by their responsibilities and eager to build faith in an increasingly faithless world.

“Clearly the power of the Lord is moving on the leaders of the Church, nudging them with … urgency,” said President M. Russell Ballard (1928–2023), Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “The question we must all ask ourselves is, ‘Are we keeping pace with [our leaders]?’ Each one of us must be prepared to answer that question. I can assure you that it is a subject of considerable discussion among the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. … This is not the time to relax or to coast in our callings. …”

“… We must be prepared to keep pace with our leaders, stride for their every lengthened stride.”

“As followers of Jesus Christ, we seek to become like our Savior and follow His example in all we do,” said Elder Uchtdorf. “From the very moment we set foot upon the pathway of discipleship, seen and unseen blessings from God begin to attend us.

“No matter where we are, you and I can walk in the path of discipleship today. Let us be humble; let us pray to our Father in Heaven with all our heart and express our desire to draw close to Him and learn of Him.”