Elder Jorge T. Becerra
General Authority Seventy
Elder Jorge T. Becerra was shy and quiet growing up, but his mission president gave him opportunities to lead. Jorge returned home from the California Arcadia Mission with a desire to engage in the work of the Lord for the rest of his life.
More leadership opportunities came sooner than he expected. At age 27, he was called into a bishopric. At age 32, he was called as a bishop. At first he felt inadequate as people approached him with their challenges.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” he told his father.
His father’s reply taught him a powerful lesson, reminded him of his mission president’s faith in him, and helped him prepare for future leadership callings, including his calling as a stake president at age 37.
“My father said, ‘Son, how old is the Holy Ghost?’” Elder Becerra recalled. “That was a great teaching moment for me because I knew that I could do anything the Lord asked me.”
That lesson has stayed with Elder Becerrea through many years of heartfelt service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jorge Eduardo Torres Becerra was born on December 18, 1962, to Juan C. Becerra and Celia T. Becerra in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, where he was raised.
After serving a full-time mission, Elder Becerra married Debbie Ilene Schneberger in the Salt Lake Temple on August 10, 1984. They are the parents of five children.
Elder Becerra received a degree in general studies from the University of Utah and an associate of arts degree in accounting from Salt Lake Community College. He also studied business at the University of Phoenix. In 1998 he became a partner of Allegis Advisor Group, a financial advisory company. At the time of his call as a Genenal Authority Seventy, he was working as an investment adviser for Intermountain Financial Partners.
Elder Becerra has served as a ward Young Men president, counselor in a mission presidency, counselor in a branch presidency, seminary teacher, counselor in a bishopric, bishop, stake president, and president of the California Arcadia Mission. At the time of his call, he was serving as an Area Seventy.