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Learn about these 7 new temple presidents who will serve from Switzerland to Bangkok

The seven temples include three which have yet to be dedicated — the Bangkok Thailand, McAllen Texas and Orem Utah temples

The Bern Switzerland Temple.

The Bern Switzerland Temple, the first in Europe, was dedicated in 1955 and remodeled in 1992.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


Learn about these 7 new temple presidents who will serve from Switzerland to Bangkok

The seven temples include three which have yet to be dedicated — the Bangkok Thailand, McAllen Texas and Orem Utah temples

The Bern Switzerland Temple.

The Bern Switzerland Temple, the first in Europe, was dedicated in 1955 and remodeled in 1992.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The following new temple presidents and matrons have been called to serve by the First Presidency. They will begin their service in September; leaders of the Bangkok Thailand, McAllen Texas and Orem Utah temples will begin their service when the respective temples are dedicated.

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Fabiola D. Gaag and Franz R. Gaag

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Franz Rudolf Gaag and Fabiola Dallapozza Gaag, Genève Lac Ward, Geneva Switzerland Stake, called as president and matron of the Bern Switzerland Temple, succeeding President Louis Weidmann and Sister Esther M. Weidmann. President Gaag is a counselor in the Bern Switzerland Temple presidency and a former Area Seventy, stake president, bishop, high councilor and missionary in the Austria Vienna Mission. A retired vice president of Life Pharm Europe, he was born in Regensburg Germany, to Franz Gaag and Agnes Gaag.

Sister Gaag is an assistant to the matron and a former ward and stake Relief Society president, stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women president and ward nursery leader. She was born in Innsbruck, Austria, to Bruno Dallapozza and Margareta Juliana Dallapozza.

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Karl B Kern and Martha Kern

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Karl B Kern and Martha Cummings Kern, Camino Principal Ward, Tucson Arizona Stake, called as president and matron of the Tucson Arizona Temple, succeeding President Kevin R. Goates and Sister L. Dianne Goates. President Kern is a high councilor, stake Sunday school president and temple sealer, and a former stake president, bishop and missionary in the Germany North Mission. A retired professor of medicine and cardiology at the University of Arizona, he was born in American Fork, Utah, to Earl Dean Kern and Florence Edith Kern.

Sister Kern is a temple ordinance worker and a former stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Young Women president and ward Primary president. She was born in Hayward, California, to David Butler Cummings and Lola Nielsen Cummings.

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Wisit Khanakham and Sumamaan Khanakham

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Wisit Khanakham and Sumamaan Srisarakham Khanakham, Chaengwattana 2nd Ward, Bangkok Thailand North Stake, called as president and matron of the new Bangkok Thailand Temple. President Khanakham is a patriarch and a former Area Seventy, stake president and branch president. He was born in Doisaked, Chiangmai, Thailand, to Kham Khanakham and Ngao Khamchai.

Sister Khanakham is a ward Primary secretary and patriarch scribe and a former district Relief Society president and ward Primary president. She was born in Mahasarakham, Thailand, to Manoon Srisarakam and Saengtong Suebsarakam.

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J Vaun McArthur and Jackie McArthur

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

J Vaun McArthur and Jackie Lynne Spencer McArthur, Coker Springs Ward, Aiken South Carolina Stake, called as president and matron of the Columbia South Carolina Temple, succeeding President William Jacobsen and Sister Vickie Jacobsen. President McArthur is a temple ordinance worker and Sunday School teacher and a former Area Seventy, stake president, high councilor, bishop and elders quorum president. A retired professor and senior scientist at the University of Georgia, he was born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Vaun J. McArthur and Esther Jane Tuckett McArthur.

Sister McArthur is a Primary teacher, and stake and ward music coordinator, and a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary presidency counselor and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Boise, Idaho, to Jack Lynn Spencer and Del Rae Spencer.

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Ken Sorber and Kristy Sorber

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Kenneth Lee Sorber and Kristy Nelson Sorber, Sunset Heights 8th Ward, Orem Utah Sunset Heights Stake, called as president and matron of the new Orem Utah Temple. President Sorber is a temple sealer and a former Tennessee Nashville Mission president, stake presidency counselor, bishop and elders quorum president. A retired vice president of Strategic Relations at Western Governors University, he was born in Portland, Oregon, to Howard Royden Sorber and Edith Margaret Olroy Sorber.

Sister Sorber is a ward Primary activities leader and a former mission president companion, stake and ward Relief Society presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president and temple ordinance worker. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Utah, to Glen C Nelson and June Allen Nelson.

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Myrna Villarreal and Carlos Villarreal

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Carlos Villarreal and Myrna Ann Garza Villarreal, Balcones Branch (Spanish), San Antonio Texas La Cantera Stake, called as president and matron of the McAllen Texas Temple. President Villarreal is a temple sealer and a former Area Seventy, México México City West Mission president, bishop and branch president. He was born in San Juan, Texas, to Jose and Elva Villarreal. 

Sister Villarreal is a temple ordinance worker and primary teacher and a former mission president companion, stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Young Women president, and ward Young Women and Primary presidency counselor. She was born in Riverside, California, to Carlos and Maria L. Garza.

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John W. Yardley and Pamela R. Yardley

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

John Wallace Yardley and Pamela Riggs Yardley, Panguitch 1st Ward, Panguitch Utah Stake, called as president and matron of the Cedar City Utah Temple, succeeding President Larry Brough and Sister Joy Brough. President Yardley is a temple sealer and a former Area Seventy, patriarch, Idaho Boise Mission president, stake president and bishop.  He was born in Panguitch, Utah, to James Frederick Yardley and Alta Hatch Yardley. 

Sister Yardley is a former mission president companion, stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president and ward Primary president. She was born in Panguitch, Utah, to Jay Angus Riggs and Myrtle Gardiner Riggs. 

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