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Members of the media met with Elder Gérald Caussé, who was recently called as the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The meeting took place on November 7, 2025, at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City.
Elder Caussé, age 62 and originally from Bordeaux, France, was called and ordained as an Apostle on November 6 by President Dallin H. Oaks along with other members of church leadership. Speaking to reporters, Elder Caussé shared his central message: “There is a Christ, there is a Savior and Redeemer for all mankind,” he said. “That Redeemer has a universal responsibility. He took that responsibility to save all of us. But this gift that is made is also incredibly personal and intimate. He knows every one of us. We are all together on the same planet, living through the same kind of experience but also having a personal relationship with a God who made us.”
Both Elder Caussé and his wife Valérie described their surprise at receiving this new assignment. “It came as a shock, as you can imagine,” Sister Caussé said. “Not because I don’t trust this man or he’s not worthy of it. But because I never thought it could happen to us.” Elder Caussé added: “That’s not something you’re prepared for,” he said. “It was a surprise. But at the same time, I felt peace. I knew it was coming from the Lord. I’ve always said yes to the Lord.”
The couple emphasized their family motto—going where they feel called—and noted how previous assignments have led them across several countries since Elder Caussé began serving as a General Authority Seventy in 2008.
Sister Caussé spoke about their children’s commitment despite frequent moves: “We are blessed with wonderful children,” she said. “I love how they respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ...I think it's a great blessing — maybe because we always enjoyed being in the Church and we enjoyed serving others.”
Elder and Sister Caussé were married in 1986 in Switzerland and have five children together.
Music played an important role early in their relationship; both participated musically within their local congregation in Paris when they first met. During Friday’s event, Elder Caussé performed "Come, Come, Ye Saints" on piano for those present.
Before becoming an Apostle, Elder Caussé served as Presiding Bishop—the third person born outside the United States to hold that position and the first whose native language is not English (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/presiding-bishopric). Two current Apostles—President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Gary E. Stevenson—also previously served in roles within the Presiding Bishopric before joining church leadership.
Reflecting on his time overseeing humanitarian aid programs and other temporal affairs for church members globally alongside Bishops Waddell and Budge, Elder Caussé stated: “My time in the Presiding Bishopric has been a fascinating experience for me...It’s a little sad to leave them...but I know that the work that is being done around the world with temporal affairs of the Church is done by wonderful professionals that are consecrated, that put the Lord first in their lives.”
Sister Caussé explained what she has learned during her husband’s years serving internationally: “Whenever I fear to do something, I think of my Savior...Whenever I focus on others rather than on myself, I find peace and strength to go forward.”
Addressing fellow French-speaking members directly near closing remarks—with support from his wife—Elder Caussé said: “I hope to have multiple opportunities with my wife Valérie to visit you...I know Christ lives and that He is the one who directs this Church through a prophet of God.”
