Michael A. Neider

Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency

Trying to find his father’s golf balls, which he had lost, is one of Michael Antone Neider’s first memories concerning the development of his faith.

Growing up in the small farming community of Tyhee, Idaho, he had sneaked his father’s golf clubs out of the garage and hit all the golf balls into their horse pasture. “I had no idea it would be so hard to find those balls in the tall grass. I felt a pressing need for divine help. After praying I went back out and found all but one of them, as well as a never-to-be-forgotten lesson that God loves me.”

Brother Neider says he’s not sure if the Lord would help him find those balls today. “As I’ve learned and grown, the Lord has expected more from me. I feel He has taught me to use more wisdom and faith in moving closer to Him.”

Brother Neider learned to feel the guiding influence of the Spirit from his mother and in the small meetinghouse in Tyhee. “I remember sitting in church and noticing my mother at times becoming emotional. That’s when I started to pay attention and feel something special as I heard testimonies about the Savior.”

Brother Neider, 55, was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to H. Boyd and Donna Neider. He was the third of six children. He attended Brigham Young University, where he earned his bachelor’s and law degrees. He served a full-time mission in the Central Atlantic States Mission. In 1971 he and Rosemary Curtis were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They have eight children and six grandchildren. They live in Sandy, Utah, where Brother Neider is an executive in his own construction-materials manufacturing business. He has served as counselor in the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission presidency, stake president, stake Young Men president, bishop, ward mission leader, and Scoutmaster.