Dieter F. Uchtdorf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dieter F. Uchtdorf |
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| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| 2 January 2018 – present | |
| Second Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| 3 February 2008 – 2 January 2018 | |
| Called by | Thomas S. Monson |
| Predecessor | Henry B. Eyring |
| Successor | Henry B. Eyring |
| End reason | Dissolution of First Presidency on death of Thomas S. Monson |
| Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| 2 October 2004 – 3 February 2008 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| End reason | Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| 7 October 2004 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| Reason | Death of Neal A. Maxwell |
| Presidency of the Seventy | |
| 15 August 2002 – 2 October 2004 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| End reason | Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
| First Quorum of the Seventy | |
| 7 April 1996 – 2 October 2004 | |
| Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
| End reason | Called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles |
| Second Quorum of the Seventy | |
| 2 April 1994 – 7 April 1996 | |
| Called by | Ezra Taft Benson |
| End reason | Transferred to the First Quorum of the Seventy |
| Military career | |
| 1959–1965 | |
| Allegiance |  Germany |
| Service/branch |  Air Force |
| Awards | Commander's Trophy (USAF) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf 6 November 1940 Mährisch-Ostrau, Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now Ostrava, Czech Republic) |
| Alma mater | International Institute for Management Development (MBA) |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Reich Uchtdorf (1962–present) |
| Children | 2 |
Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf (born November 6, 1940) is a German pilot, airline leader, and religious figure. He is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He became an apostle in 2004. From 2008 to 2018, he served as the Second Counselor to Thomas S. Monson in the church's First Presidency. Today, Uchtdorf is the fifth most senior apostle in the church.
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Early Life and Education
Dieter Uchtdorf was born in Moravská Ostrava, which is now in the Czech Republic. At that time, it was under Nazi Germany control. His father was a customs officer who joined the German Army during World War II.
When Dieter was a young child, he moved with his mother and three siblings to Zwickau, Germany. They traveled through areas that were being bombed. He later shared that they were "refugees with an uncertain future." He played in bombed-out houses and saw the effects of the war.
His family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was young. This happened after his grandmother met a church member at a soup kitchen.
Moving to West Germany
When Uchtdorf was about eleven, his family's lives were in danger. His father's political views did not agree with Soviet rule. So, they left East Germany and moved to West Germany, which was controlled by the U.S. His sisters jumped from a moving train to get across the border. Dieter and his mother climbed a mountain to avoid guards.
Uchtdorf started studying mechanical engineering at age 18. He later studied business administration in Cologne. He earned an MBA from a school in Lausanne. In 2009, he received an honorary degree from Brigham Young University.
Becoming a Pilot
In 1959, at age 19, Uchtdorf joined the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces. He chose to join the air force to become a fighter pilot. He trained in Big Spring, Texas, as part of an agreement between Germany and the U.S.
He was an excellent student pilot and won the Commander's Trophy. After earning his pilot wings from both German and U.S. air forces, he served as a fighter pilot for six years. In 1965, he left the air force to join Lufthansa, a major airline.
By 1970, at 29, Uchtdorf became a captain with Lufthansa. In 1975, he became the head of Lufthansa's new training school in the U.S. He was made chief pilot for cockpit crews in 1980. In 1982, he became senior vice president of flight operations. He left Lufthansa in 1996.
Service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Dieter Uchtdorf served as a stake president twice in Germany. He led church groups in Frankfurt and Mannheim.
He became a general authority and a member of the church's Second Quorum of the Seventy in April 1994. In April 1996, he moved to the First Quorum of Seventy. Uchtdorf then became a member of the church's Presidency of the Seventy in August 2002.
Becoming an Apostle
Uchtdorf was chosen as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in October 2004. Church president Gordon B. Hinckley ordained him an apostle a few days later. He and David A. Bednar filled spots left by the deaths of other apostles.
Uchtdorf was the first church apostle to be ordained in the 21st century. As an apostle, the church believes he is a prophet, seer, and revelator. He is the eleventh apostle in the church's history to be born outside the United States. He is also the first German apostle.
In May 2006, Uchtdorf offered a special prayer in Slovakia. He dedicated the land for "the preaching of the gospel." This is a church custom when missionaries arrive in a new country.
Serving in the First Presidency
In February 2008, Uchtdorf became the Second Counselor to Thomas S. Monson in the church's First Presidency. He was the second person not born in an English-speaking country to serve in the First Presidency. After joining the First Presidency, Uchtdorf became a U.S. citizen but also remained a citizen of Germany.
While in the First Presidency, Uchtdorf dedicated several temples. These included temples in Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil, Florida, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. He also helped dedicate many other temples.
In May 2016, Uchtdorf traveled to the Czech Republic. There, he helped create the first stake (a large group of congregations) in that country.
When President Monson passed away in January 2018, the First Presidency was dissolved. Uchtdorf returned to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When a new First Presidency was formed under Russell M. Nelson, Uchtdorf continued his service in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He shared his support for the new leaders and his willingness to continue his work.
Current Assignments
After returning to the Quorum of the Twelve, Uchtdorf received new assignments in January 2018. He became the chairman of the church's Missionary Executive Council. He also became the chairman of the Correlation Executive Council. He is the main contact for the church's Europe and Europe East areas.
Family Life
Dieter Uchtdorf and Harriet Reich Uchtdorf were married in December 1962. Their wedding took place in the Swiss Temple. They have two children and six grandchildren.
Images for kids
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Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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German Air Force symbol
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Uchtdorf visiting the Accra, Ghana LDS mission in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Dieter F. Uchtdorf para niños
