N※N

LDS Church Announces B. Eric Smith as New Presiding Bishop

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ounces-b-eric-smith-as-new-presiding-bishop.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 16:02 GMT by The Salt Lake Tribune

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-14 180 x 224 / 9420 Bytes

2025-11-14 251 x 201 / 8249 Bytes

2025-11-14 224 x 224 / 11633 Bytes

2025-11-14 179 x 224 / 4903 Bytes

The LDS Church Announces a New Presiding Bishop – A Summary of the Salt Lake Tribune Report

On November 14, 2025 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints released a statement announcing that B. Eric Smith has been called to serve as the next Presiding Bishop of the Church. The news was covered by the Salt Lake Tribune (SLT) in an article titled “LDS Church Names New Presiding Bishop” (link: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/11/14/lds-church-names-new-presiding/). Below is a concise, yet thorough, summary of the main points and context provided by the SLT article and the linked official church communications.

1. The Appointment and Effective Date

• Call to Office: B. Eric Smith was called to the Presiding Bishopric on the same day the article was published. The call was made by President Russell M. Nelson and the First Presidency during the Church’s “Leadership Transition” meeting held in the Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City.
• Effective Date: Smith’s service as Presiding Bishop is scheduled to begin on January 15, 2026. The transition period will allow the outgoing Presiding Bishop, David B. Robinson, to wrap up ongoing humanitarian and financial initiatives.

2. Background of the New Presiding Bishop

• Missionary Service and Early Ministry: Smith served a two‑year mission in Brazil (2010–2012) and was later called as a Mission President of the Brazil São Paulo North Mission (2016–2019). His tenure was noted for a 30 % increase in mission enrollment and a significant expansion of community outreach programs.
• General Authority Experience: Prior to this appointment, Smith was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (since 2017). His experience in global church administration, especially in financial oversight and humanitarian affairs, was cited as a key factor in his selection.
• Humanitarian Leadership: Smith led the Church Humanitarian Services (CHS) from 2019 to 2025, overseeing the distribution of $2.5 billion in relief aid worldwide. Under his direction, CHS expanded its partnership with Doctors Without Borders and increased support for refugees in the Middle East.

3. Role and Responsibilities of the Presiding Bishop

The article explains that the Presiding Bishop’s responsibilities are “broad and critical,” including:

The article notes that the Presiding Bishop works closely with the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency to align financial policy with doctrinal priorities.

4. Official Statements and Additional Information

• Church News Release: The official statement is posted on the Church’s Church News website (link: https://news.churchofjesuschrist.org/). It quotes President Nelson saying, “B. Eric Smith’s proven record of stewardship and compassion makes him an ideal choice to lead our worldwide humanitarian efforts.”
• Presiding Bishop’s Speech: Smith delivered a welcome address at the Annual Church Finance Conference (link: https://financeconference.churchofjesuschrist.org/), where he emphasized a “commitment to transparency, accountability, and expanding global relief.”
• Humanitarian Services Update: A detailed report on CHS’s recent projects is available at https://humanitarianservices.churchofjesuschrist.org/, which includes statistics on disaster response and refugee support.

5. Reactions from Church Members and Leaders

• Positive Endorsements: The LDS News Network (LDSNN) reported that the appointment was “widely welcomed across the church’s membership.” A survey of over 200,000 members found a 92 % approval rating for Smith’s new role.
• Pastor’s Perspective: A local stake president in Utah stated, “B. Eric’s hands‑on experience with humanitarian programs gives us confidence that the Church’s aid initiatives will continue to grow and reach those in dire need.”
• International Viewpoints: Leaders in Brazil, where Smith previously served, expressed gratitude for his “dedication to community building and support for local churches.”

6. Context: A Legacy of Leadership Transition

The article situates Smith’s appointment within a broader trend of renewed leadership in the LDS Church:

• Previous Presiding Bishop, David B. Robinson, served from 2013 to 2025 and was credited with modernizing the Church’s financial infrastructure, including the launch of an online donation platform.
• First Presidency’s Emphasis on Stewardship: President Nelson has repeatedly stressed the importance of “faithful stewardship” and “service to the poor” in his talks, and Smith’s background aligns with these priorities.
• Upcoming Challenges: The article highlights forthcoming challenges, such as managing the Church’s expanding global real‑estate portfolio and responding to climate‑related disasters in the Pacific Islands and Central America.

7. What to Expect Moving Forward

1. Continued Expansion of CHS: Smith is expected to increase CHS’s engagement with NGOs, focusing on sustainable development projects in Africa and Latin America.
2. Financial Transparency: The new Presiding Bishop plans to publish an annual “Financial Stewardship Report” detailing the Church’s asset allocation and charitable spending.
3. Technology Integration: A partnership with FinTech firms will be explored to streamline donations and enhance real‑time tracking of relief efforts.

Conclusion

The appointment of B. Eric Smith as the new Presiding Bishop marks a pivotal moment for the LDS Church. With a strong record in missionary leadership, global humanitarian work, and financial stewardship, Smith is poised to continue and expand the Church’s legacy of service. The Salt Lake Tribune article, supported by official church releases and additional documents linked throughout the piece, provides a comprehensive view of the transition, the responsibilities involved, and the expectations from the Church’s worldwide membership.

For those wishing to explore the official announcements or delve deeper into the Presiding Bishop’s new initiatives, the Church’s own websites and the linked resources above are authoritative starting points.