Elder Terence M. Vinson

Presidency of the Seventy

Elder Terence M. Vinson believes that the Savior is never far away. “He is always near, especially in sacred places and in times of need,” he testified in the October 2013 general conference. “Sometimes, when I least expect, I feel almost like He taps me on the shoulder to let me know He loves me.”

Once, while Elder Vinson was walking with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Holland draped his arm around Elder Vinson’s shoulder and told him he loved him. Elder Vinson said, “I believe that if we could have the privilege of walking physically with the Savior, that we would feel His arm draped over our shoulder just like that.”

Elder Vinson, sustained a member of the Presidency of the Seventy on March 31, 2018, says that God’s love “is the sweetest feeling.”

Elder Vinson, who will assume his new calling on August 1, 2018, was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of the Church on April 6, 2013. At the time, he was serving as a member of the Eighth Quorum of the Seventy in the Pacific Area. He is currently serving as President of the Africa West Area.

Elder Vinson received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics, an education and teaching diploma, and a master’s degree in applied finance. His career has involved teaching, training, and lecturing at universities. He has worked mainly as a financial adviser and funds manager.

While investigating the Church as a young adult, Elder Vinson received a strong spiritual impression. He felt clearly that he should join the Church in order to progress and to find answers to remaining questions. He was baptized and confirmed the following week.

From then on, “I knew what the Lord expected me to do and discovered that all my questions did have answers.”

Since his baptism in 1974, Elder Vinson has served as a counselor in a bishopric, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency, regional representative, counselor in a mission presidency, temple ordinance worker, and Area Seventy.

He was born in Sydney, Australia, on March 12, 1951. He married Kay Anne Carden in May 1974. They are the parents of six children.