Elder Neil L. Andersen was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 4, 2009. Born on Aug. 9, 1951, in Logan, Utah, and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, he met his wife, Kathy Williams Andersen, while attending Brigham Young University. They have four children.
Elder Andersen earned a masters of business administration from Harvard University, and the Andersens moved to Tampa, Florida, where Elder Andersen served as president of the Tampa Florida Stake. From 1989 to 1992, Elder and Sister Andersen served as mission leaders in the France Bordeaux Mission.
Elder Andersen was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1993 at the age of 41. Church assignments gave him responsibilities in Brazil, Western Europe, Mexico and Central America. He speaks French, Portuguese and Spanish, in addition to English.
In honor of Elder Andersen’s birthday today, here are nine of his quotes from the past year.
1. High goals for missionaries
Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, speaking during the 2022 Seminar for New Mission Leaders in Provo, Utah, on June 23, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“Don’t be afraid of challenging them to expect miracles in their work. Building the kingdom of God is not a passive work. Keep your goals expansive, expecting miracles.”
— Seminar for New Mission Leaders, June 23, 2022
2. The temple is a place of endowment
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, greet those outside the Praia Cape Verde Temple prior to the first of three dedicatory sessions on Sunday, June 19, 2022.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
“That endowment of knowledge, when acted upon with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, provides strength and conviction. It helps us become who we are to become. And as more and more in this country are endowed in this house of the Lord, there will be a strengthening of the power among our people on every island, in every ward and branch.”
— Dedication of Praia Cape Verde Temple, June 19, 2022
3. He lives
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greets youth outside the Praia Cape Verde Temple prior to a youth devotional in Praia, Cabo Verde, on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
“We love you because you believe. You believe in His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Always keep your strong faith in Jesus Christ. As one of His Apostles, I promise you that He lives, that He is resurrected, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer.”
— Meeting with Cabo Verde youth, June 18, 2022
4. Voices and influences
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks at BYU–Idaho’s commencement ceremony on April 7, 2022 at the BYU–Idaho Center.
Credit: BYU-Idaho Live Stream Screenshot
“Who are you listening to? The answer will shape your future and your eternal destiny.”
— BYU-Idaho commencement address, April 7, 2022
5. Become peacemakers
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during the Saturday morning session of general conference on April 2, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“By the shield of our faith in Jesus Christ, we become peacemakers, quenching, meaning to calm, cool or extinguish, all the fiery darts of the adversary.”
— “Following Jesus: Being a Peacemaker,” April 2022 general conference
6. Building a foundation on the Savior
Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shakes hands with missionaries after speaking at a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, March 8 , 2022.
Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
“Learning about the Savior is rarely an overnight experience — for some people, it is quite dramatic, but for most of us, we step line upon line, experience by experience, blessing upon blessing, revelation upon revelation.”
— Devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center, March 8, 2022
7. How faith grows
Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“Faith grows and strengthens within us, as we desire to believe, as we ponder the word of God, as we increase the sincerity and frequency of our prayers, as we repent and keep the commandments and as we experience the power of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.”
— Devotional for young adults in Latin America and Spain, Jan. 9, 2022
8. The growing influence of the Church
Elder Neil L. Andersen, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 191st Semiannual General Conference in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Sunday, october 3, 2021.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“The influence of the restored Church of Jesus Christ will not only be upon those who are members of the Church. Because of the heavenly manifestations in our day, because of the sacred scripture restored to the earth and the powerful gift of the Holy Ghost, we will be a shining light on the hill as the somber shades of disbelief in Jesus Christ darken the world.”
— “The Name of the Church is Not Negotiable,” October 2021 general conference
9. ‘Where am I lacking?’
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles records a #HearHim video that was released on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“… When I’m kneeling humbly before my Heavenly Father and asking in the depth of sincerity, ‘Father, what do I need to change? Where do I need to repent? Where am I lacking?’ a calm feeling comes over me. And at the appropriate time, I hear Him.”
— “Hear Him” video, Dec. 27, 2021
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