March 11, 2026

Who is Elder Aaron T. Hall, new General Authority Seventy

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Eastin Hartzell

Elder Aaron T. Hall, General Authority Seventy, gives a devotional address to BYU–Idaho students in Rexburg, Idaho, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. | Hans Koepsell, BYU–Idaho
Quick facts about Elder Aaron T. Hall

 

Early Life, Education, and Family

Aaron Tracy Hall was born March 4, 1971, in Provo, Utah, to Alan Eugene Hall and Paula Jeanne Nowak Hall. As a young man, he developed a testimony of the gospel and later served a full-time mission in the Chile Osorno Mission from 1990 to 1992.2

After returning home, he pursued higher education and earned a bachelor’s degree in professional sales from Weber State University, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah.3 

On December 28, 1993, he married Kimberly Wade in the Logan Utah Temple. Together they have four children and one grandchild. In interviews after his call as a General Authority, Elder Hall has spoken about how covenant relationships within families shape discipleship and strengthen faith over time.4 

During much of his adult life, Elder Hall lived in Huntsville, Utah. 

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Professional Career and Church Service

Before being called as a General Authority, Elder Hall built a career in the technology and private equity sectors, eventually working as an executive for MarketStar.5 

In addition to his professional career, he devoted many years to Church service. His callings included:

  • Bishop

  • Counselor in a stake presidency

  • High councilor

  • Stake executive secretary

  • Elders quorum president

  • Ward Young Men president

From 2015 to 2018, Elder Hall and Sister Hall served as mission leaders of the Texas Houston South Mission, an experience that they say deeply shaped their understanding of missionary work and discipleship.6 

Prior to his call as a General Authority Seventy, he served as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area. He also worked as a director in the Church’s Missionary Department, where he helped oversee missionary efforts and initiatives such as the expansion of the Church’s charitable Giving Machines.7 

In April 2025, he was sustained as a General Authority Seventy, joining the global leadership of the Church.

A Message of “Becoming”

Since his call as a Seventy, one of Elder Hall’s teachings has been the idea that discipleship is not merely about knowledge but about transformation.

In a devotional address at BYU–Idaho titled “Becoming Is a Joyful Challenge,” Elder Hall reflected on the influence of teachings from President Dallin H. Oaks, particularly the message “The Challenge to Become.” He explained:

“In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.”

Through the plan of salvation, Heavenly Father invites His children to grow, progress, and ultimately become more like Him.

Lessons from an Ironman Race

In the same devotional, Elder Hall shared a personal experience that illustrates his perspective on spiritual growth. An avid endurance athlete, he described training for and completing an Ironman triathlon, an intense race involving a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full marathon run.

During the race he encountered multiple setbacks, including a flat tire and a broken bike seat. At several moments it would have been easy to quit. Yet he chose to keep going.

He compared those moments to the spiritual challenges individuals face in life.

“Becoming is not only a challenge,” he taught. “It is a joyful challenge, and one that fills my soul with gratitude.”

Just as endurance athletes must persist through fatigue and difficulty, disciples of Jesus Christ often encounter obstacles along the covenant path. But through the Savior’s grace, progress is still possible.

Elder Hall explained that the Atonement of Jesus Christ allows individuals to keep moving forward even when they feel weak or discouraged. He reminded listeners that the Lord declared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “I will be merciful unto your weakness.”8 

The Savior Helps Us Continue

Elder Hall invited listeners to reflect on moments when they may feel as if they are “swimming in deep water” or facing “flat tires” and “headwinds” in life. In those moments, he said, the Savior offers divine help and strength.

The gospel path is not meant to be easy, but it is meant to transform us.

Elder Hall taught that difficult moments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned us. Instead, they can be signs of His love and trust in our potential.

He emphasized that Heavenly Father patiently teaches His children “line upon line, precept upon precept,” helping them grow step by step.

A Joyful Process of Transformation

For Elder Hall, the joy of the gospel is not found only at the “finish line” of life. Instead, it is found in the process of becoming.

Reflecting on his Ironman race, he said the greatest joy did not come from crossing the finish line but from the transformation that occurred during the months of preparation and perseverance.

In a similar way, discipleship involves continual growth through repentance, covenant keeping, and reliance on the Savior.

He testified that through Christ’s grace, individuals can become who God intends them to be.

Looking Forward

As one of the Church’s newest General Authority Seventies, Elder Hall now travels and ministers throughout the world, helping strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and encouraging members to stay on the covenant path.

In his devotional message, he expressed his hope that when the race of life is finished, disciples of Christ will feel the joy that comes from becoming what the Lord intended for them to be.

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