Latter-day Saint leaders hire new managing director for Church Communication (2024)

The new director of global communications for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Aaron Sherinian, a longtime global communications specialist who was instrumental in the creation of #GivingTuesday.

Sherinian, 51, was introduced Wednesday as the managing director of the Church Communication Department after spending two years as the senior vice president of global reach of Deseret Management Corp.

“In the meeting, my focus was on how the Savior’s way of communication was all about finding ways to reach everyone,” he told the Deseret News. “Communications for the Church of Jesus Christ should always be generous, inclusive and personal.”

Sherinian has more than two decades of experience in public relations and communications in corporate, philanthropic and diplomatic sectors both in the United States and internationally.

Related

The managing director of Church Communication is a trusted communication advisor to the church’s senior leadership, including the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and works under their direction. The managing director also leads the department’s work in global, external-facing communication strategies for the church, including news releases issued on Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

“Communications professionals are always looking for a job that has purpose, and this job is filled with not just purpose but the message of love for everyone,” Sherinian said.

Sherinian will oversee several teams within the department: media relations; government, community, and interfaith relations; international area relations; reputation management; channel management; and messaging, according to the job posting.

Latter-day Saint leaders hire new managing director for Church Communication (1)

In 2015, PR Week magazine named Sherinian the Global Communicator of the Year.

Sherinian earned degrees at Brigham Young University in political science and Italian and at Johns Hopkins University in Advanced International Studies. He speaks Italian, Spanish, Armenian and French.

Sherinian served a mission for the church as a young man in Milan, Italy. He also served in a mission presidency while living in Armenia.

Sherinian said he pursued the new position because he believes “faith matters more than ever, both for our worldwide church and in the everyday lives of people,” he said. “Jesus Christ’s message is one that is relevant in every way every single day.”

Sherinian appeared on the Church News podcast last month and described himself as an extrovert who loves learning and making connections with people. The podcast episode and a transcript are available here.

“I believe that we are living in a time where we should share both the urgency but the excitement of what it means to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today,” he said.

Sherinian and his wife, Emily, have four children and had been splitting their time between Washington, D.C., and Salt Lake City.

“I’m a person who loves to communicate,” he said on the podcast. “I love the church. I love the gospel. I love what connects us. And I am a person who’s lived around the world but pretty much feels at home when I’m with friends.”

Sherinian played a key role in building bridges for the church with the Washington D.C. Communications Council, especially during the public open house forthe rededication of theWashington D.C. Temple.

Sherinian said on the podcast that he loves the media, though media members often make mistakes when reporting about religion or Latter-day Saints. He said what is needed is mutual respect and increased civil conversation about faith and beliefs.

“Sometimes when we see an article or listen to something in the media that we know is not right, we don’t have to immediately scream about it or go ballistic about something that we might have seen,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a matter of asking the question, either of the media outlet or of the person who shared it.”

Sherinian replaces Eric Hawkins due to health complications. The church has had five managing directors of public affairs/church communication over the past 34 years, from Bruce Olsen (1989-2008) to Michael Otterson (2008-16), Richard Turley Jr. (2016-20), Michael Colemere (2020-22) and Hawkins (2022-23).

“Each one of them is someone I admire,” Sherinian said of his predecessors. “I’ve learned something from each of them.”

Sherinian said he will spend more time listening than talking.

“I plan to do that as much as I can as I learn from my colleagues and the people who are part of this beautiful tapestry of communications that’s the worldwide church.”

Jeff Simpson, the new CEO and president of Deseret Management Corp., announced Sherinian’s departure Tuesday afternoon in an email to staff.

“We are deeply grateful for the important impact Aaron has had on our operations and global reach here at DMC and will miss having him on our team,” Simpson said. “Aaron has had an exceptional vision for our potential and has opened important doors for DMC, for which we are deeply grateful.”

Deseret Management Corp. is a global operating company that manages the Deseret News, Deseret Digital Media, Deseret Book, Bonneville Communications and Bonneville International, which operates KSL and other broadcasters.

Latter-day Saint leaders hire new managing director for Church Communication (2024)

FAQs

Who is the new church communications director LDS? ›

The new director of global communications for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Aaron Sherinian, a longtime global communications specialist who was instrumental in the creation of #GivingTuesday.

Who hired Aaron Sherinian? ›

Recently the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the hiring of Aaron Sherinian to the position of Managing Director of Church Communications. This is a hired, not called, position. And since the announcement, Sherinian has faced a barrage of commentary about the decision to hire him.

Who is the CEO of the LDS Church? ›

Russell Marion Nelson Sr.

(born September 9, 1924) is an American religious leader and retired surgeon who is the 17th and current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

What is the leadership structure of the LDS Church? ›

The leaders of the worldwide Church are known as General Authorities and General Officers. General Authorities include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric.

Why did Tom Phillips leave LDS Church? ›

Before leaving the faith in 2004, the biography says, he served as LDS area controller for the British Isles and Africa, and as financial director for corporate entities in the United Kingdom. Phillips said his belief in LDS doctrines eroded as he began researching questions raised by fellow Mormons.

Who is next in line to lead the LDS Church? ›

Wondering who could be the next president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? The office falls to the longest-serving member of the faith's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which means Russell M. Nelson is next in line to replace current president Thomas S. Monson.

What is the controversy with the LDS communications director? ›

Some prominent conservatives are raising objections to the new communications director for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, saying his ties to LGBTQ+ advocacy and "globalism" disqualify him for the post.

What happened to the staff of Aaron? ›

Aaron's rod, together with its blossoms and fruit, was preserved in the Ark. King Josiah, who foresaw the impending national catastrophe, concealed the Ark and the objects stored with it (Aaron's rod, a vial of manna, and the holy anointing oil).

Did Hank Aaron have a job? ›

After retiring as a player, Aaron moved into the Atlanta Braves front office as executive vice president, where he became a leading spokesman for minority hiring in baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982, and eight years later, he published his autobiography, I Had a Hammer.

Which LDS Apostle is a billionaire? ›

Stevenson. Gary Evan Stevenson (born August 6, 1955) is an American religious leader and former businessman who is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Who is the most famous Mormon leader? ›

Joseph Smith Jr. (December 23, 1805 – June 27, 1844) was an American religious leader and the founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement. Publishing the Book of Mormon at the age of 24, Smith attracted tens of thousands of followers by the time of his death fourteen years later.

How much does the president of the LDS Church make? ›

LDS bishops and stake presidents do not receive any financial compensation for their service, as they are considered to be serving in a voluntary capacity. These positions, along with other church leadership positions, are typically held by people who maintain regular employment outside of their church service.

Who has the highest authority in the church? ›

Pope (Bishop of Rome)

What is the highest position in the Mormon Church? ›

The President of the Church is the highest office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was the office held by Joseph Smith, the church's founder. The church's president is its leader and the head of the First Presidency, its highest governing body.

Who is the Communications director for Biden? ›

List of directors
NameStartPresident
Stephanie GrishamJuly 1, 2019Donald Trump
Dan ScavinoApril 21, 2020 Acting: April 21, 2020 – January 20, 2021
Kate BedingfieldJanuary 20, 2021Joe Biden
Ben LaBoltMarch 1, 2023
36 more rows

Who is elder Hamula? ›

Elder James J. Hamula was sustained a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 5, 2008, at age 50. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area.

Who is John Roebert? ›

Pastor John and Mandri Roebert lead CHOOSE LIFE Church in Pretoria, South Africa. A church with a passion for the Holy Spirit, Worship, and God's Word. Our motto: Helping People Know Jesus.

Who is Jesse LDS? ›

Jesse Gause (1785 – c. 1836) was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and served in the First Presidency as a counselor to church founder Joseph Smith. For decades Gause was generally unknown to Latter Day Saint historians.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5571

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.