In one of his first major decisions as the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Dallin H. Oaks has appointed Apostle D. Todd Christofferson to the church’s governing First Presidency, joining Oaks and Henry B. Eyring at the top of the global faith’s leadership.
The move, announced on Oct. 14, surprised many — not because of Christofferson’s qualifications, but because the 80-year-old apostle was chosen over several senior leaders, including Jeffrey R. Holland and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, both longtime favorites among Latter-day Saints.
Christofferson, however, mirrors Oaks in many ways: a lawyer turned apostle, known for his careful, deliberate, and intellectual style of leadership.
From Watergate to the First Presidency
Long before his decades of church service, Christofferson helped uncover one of the most consequential scandals in U.S. history — the Watergate affair.
Fresh out of Duke University’s law school, Christofferson clerked for federal Judge John Sirica, who presided over the 1970s case that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Sirica later called Christofferson his “right arm throughout the Watergate case.”
Reflecting on that experience years later, Christofferson said it taught him the importance of integrity:
“The life lesson I took away from [Nixon’s] experience was that my only hope for avoiding a similar catastrophe in my own life lay in never making an exception — always submitting to the dictates of an ethical conscience.”
A life of service and scholarship
Though born in Utah, Christofferson spent most of his life on the East Coast, working in Washington, D.C., Tennessee, and North Carolina, where he served as in-house counsel for what became Bank of America.
He and his wife, Katherine, have five children.
Known for his logical sermons and reserved demeanor, Christofferson often emphasizes moral clarity and traditional family values — yet he is also seen as pragmatic and thoughtful, especially in addressing sensitive social issues.
Family ties and compassion
Christofferson’s brother, Tom Christofferson, is openly gay and author of “That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family.” Despite theological differences, the brothers have remained close.
When the church’s 2015 policy labeling same-sex couples as “apostates” sparked controversy, Christofferson personally reached out to Tom, texting:
“If you feel you need to distance yourself from me, I will understand.”
Tom replied:
“You have never distanced yourself from me, and I am not going to back away from you in any way.”
That exchange has since been cited as a model of love amid disagreement within Latter-day Saint families.
“God is not a vending machine” — and other memorable teachings
Christofferson’s 2022 General Conference address introduced a now-popular phrase:
“We ought not to think of God’s plan as a cosmic vending machine — where we select a desired blessing, insert good works, and expect an immediate reward.”
He taught instead that discipleship means enduring trials with faith, forming a deeper relationship with God that “is everlastingly worth the cost.”
Upholding traditional values
In earlier addresses, such as “Let Us Be Men” (2006), Christofferson reflected on lessons from his parents, praising his father’s quiet sacrifices as an example of righteous manhood.
He has also underscored women’s influence in nurturing moral values and maintaining social stability, describing motherhood and faith teaching as “civilizing influences” that strengthen society.
A deliberate and principled leader
Christofferson’s addition to the First Presidency ensures continuity in tone and vision under President Oaks. Both men share an emphasis on rule of law, ethical conscience, and the balance between faith and pluralism.
As he steps into this new role, observers expect Christofferson to maintain his steady, reasoned approach — one shaped by the courtroom, refined through decades of spiritual leadership, and grounded in a deep belief that conscience and faith must work hand in hand.
