The Church of Jesus and Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a new Primary General Presidency that will officially begin its service on August 1, 2026. The leadership changes were revealed by President D. Todd Christoffelse during the Saturday afternoon session of the 196th Annual General Conference in April.
New Leadership Appointments
The new presidency will be led by Rosemary K. Chibota, who has been called as President. Joining her are Nina M. Garfield, serving as First Counselor, and Theresa A. Collins, serving as Second Counselor. The Primary is an organization dedicated to children between the ages of 18 months and 11 years, focusing on teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and fostering faith.
A Historic Presidency
President Chibota, 58, brings a diverse background to the role. Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to Malawian parents, she was raised in a faithful Christian home where her maternal grandfather served as a village chief and Presbyterian priest. As Church News reported, this appointment marks the first time an African leader will head a general presidency within the Church.
Preparation Through Service
Chibota expressed that while she felt emotions ranging from being overwhelmed to feeling inadequate, she has also experienced great joy and peace. She noted that her recent service as a mission leader in the Alabama Birmingham Mission, alongside her husband Joel, prepared her for this responsibility. She described callings not as sacrifices, but as gifts from the Lord that increase one's capacity to serve.
Searching for Truth
The path to Chibota's conversion began with a childhood question. While reading the book of Exodus in her father's lap, she asked, "What does God look like?" This inquiry led her to explore various churches. In 1984, at age 17, she discovered a pamphlet depicting Joseph Smith praying in a grove, which provided the answer she sought and led to her immediate testimony of the restored gospel.
First Counselor Background
Nina M. Garfield, 67, will serve as First Counselor. Born in Japan to a Japanese mother and an American father, she moved to the United States and was raised in Colorado. Garfield joined the Church during her high school years through the influence of friends and their families. A resident of Orem, Utah, she is a homemaker and has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as a stake Relief Society president.
Second Counselor Background
Theresa A. Collins, 64, will serve as Second Counselor. Living in Draper, Utah, Collins is a homemaker who studied special education at Utah State University. Her previous Church service includes roles as a nursery leader, temple ordinance worker, and stake mission preparation instructor alongside her husband, Richard. The couple previously served as mission leaders in the Arkansas Bentonlyville Mission from 2021 to 2024.
Extensive Local Experience
The incoming presidency members bring extensive experience in local and stake leadership. President Chibota, who resides in South Jordan, Utah, previously worked as a human resources generalist for the Church and holds degrees from Western Governors University and Colorado Technical University. Her husband, Joel, also served as a mission leader in Alabama.
