Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Early Life and Education

Born on August 6, 1955, in Ogden, Utah, to Evan and Vera Jean Stevenson, Elder Stevenson was raised in the Cache Valley area. He credits much of his early spiritual foundation to his parents, Evan and Vera Jean Stevenson.¹  After serving a full-time mission in the Japan Fukuoka Mission, he attended Utah State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. It was in an Old Testament class at USU that he met Lesa Jean Higley; the two were married in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple in 1979 and are the parents of four sons.²

Professional Career

In 1977, while still a student, he co-founded what would eventually become ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. (now iFit), one of the world's largest manufacturers of exercise equipment. He served as the company’s president and chief operating officer until 2008.

Church Service

Before his call to the Apostleship, Elder Stevenson served in numerous leadership capacities, including:

• Presiding Bishop (2012–2015): Overseeing the temporal affairs of the Church, including its global welfare and humanitarian efforts.

• First Quorum of the Seventy (2008–2012): Serving as a counselor and later President of the Asia North Area.

• Mission President: Presiding over the Japan Nagoya Mission (2004–2007).

Recent teachings:

In October 2025 general conference, Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught about peacemakers. He testified that "we fulfill our divine role as children of a loving Heavenly Father as we strive to become peacemakers."

During that talk he gave a three-part invitation for all Latter-day Saints:

1. "A contention-free home zone: When contention starts, pause and reboot with kind words and deeds.

2. "Digital bridge building: Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask, Will this build a bridge? If not, stop. Do not send. Instead, share goodness. Publish peace in the place of hate.

3. "Repair and reunite: Each family member could seek out a strained relationship in order to apologize, minister, repair, and reunite."³ 

• ^{1. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2016/06/elder-gary-e-stevenson-an-understanding-heart?lang=eng}
• ^{2. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2016/06/answers-will-come?lang=eng}
• ^{3. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/12stevenson?lang=eng}