W. Christopher Waddell

W. Christopher Waddell
Presiding Bishop
November 14, 2025 (2025-11-14)
Called byDallin H. Oaks
PredecessorGérald Caussé
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03) – November 14, 2025 (2025-11-14)
Called byGérald Caussé
PredecessorDean M. Davies
SuccessorL. Todd Budge
End reasonCalled to be presiding bishop
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09) – October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)
Called byGérald Caussé
PredecessorDean M. Davies
SuccessorL. Todd Budge
End reasonCalled to be first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
First Quorum of the Seventy
April 2, 2011 (2011-04-02) – October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09)
Called byThomas S. Monson
End reasonCalled to be second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric
Personal details
BornWayne Christopher Waddell (1959-06-28) June 28, 1959Los Angeles, California, United States
Spouse(s)Carol Stansel (m. 1984)
Children4

W. Christopher Waddell (born June 28, 1959) is an American religious leader who has served as presiding bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since November 14, 2025.[1][2][3] Waddell succeeded Gérald Caussé, who was named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on November 6, 2025. Waddell was called as a church general authority in 2011, Beginning in 2015, he served in the Presiding Bishopric under Caussé, with both five years as second counselor (2015–2020) and five years as first counselor (2020–2025).[1]

As presiding bishop, Waddell oversees most of the day-to-day temporal operations of the church, including its real estate holdings, financial investments, and for-profit entities.

Waddell is from Los Angeles, California and spent his career at Merrill Lynch in a variety of roles, including first vice president of investments. He and his wife, Carol Stansel, have four children.[2][1]

References

  1. ^ abc"Meet the Church of Jesus Christ's New Presiding Bishopric". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2025-11-14. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  2. ^ abKemsley, Tamarra. "He went on '60 Minutes' to defend the LDS Church's finances. Now he is in charge of them". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  3. ^Swensen, Jason (2025-11-14). "First Presidency announces new Presiding Bishopric". Deseret News. Retrieved 2025-11-16.