Dieter F. Uchtdorf

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was set apart as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on January 8, 2026. He was sustained an Apostle on October 2, 2004, and served as Second Counselor in the First Presidency from February 2008 until January 2018. He has served as a General Authority since April 1994 and served previously in numerous Church callings, including stake president twice and stake mission president in Germany.

President Uchtdorf was born on November 6, 1940, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, to Karl and Hildegard Opelt Uchtdorf. In 1944, toward the end of World War II, his family fled to Zwickau, Saxony, and there became members of the Church of Jesus Christ. In 1952, the family was forced to flee again, this time to Frankfurt, Hesse, where he completed his education in mechanical engineering.

In 1959 he joined the German Air Force and served for six years as a fighter pilot, followed by a career as an aviator and executive for Lufthansa German Airlines until 1996. As the Lufthansa Chief Pilot, he also qualified as training and check captain on Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Airbus, and DC-10 aircraft. His executive positions included head of Lufthansa Pilot School in Arizona, head of Lufthansa cockpit and cabin crews, and senior vice president of Lufthansa flight operations. He served in civic and board responsibilities, including chair of the Flight Operations Committee of the International Air Transport Association.

Dieter Uchtdorf and Harriet Reich married in 1962. They have two children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. The Uchtdorfs are happiest when spending time with their family.