Eight new temple presidents and eight new temple matrons have been called to serve in temples around the world, including the Salt Lake Temple.
The First Presidency has called the following eight new temple presidents and matrons. They will begin their service later this year.
Phoenix Arizona Temple
Gary Wesley Wagner, 58, Pleasant Valley Ward, Peoria Arizona North Stake, called as president of the Phoenix Arizona Temple, succeeding President Russell S. Gilliland. President Wagner’s wife, Lori Smith Wagner, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Karen J. Gilliland. He is a Sunday School teacher and temple ordinance worker and is a former president of the México Guadalajara Mission, stake president, and bishop. Owner/CFO of a construction company, he was born in Colonia Dublán, Chihuahua, México, to Albert Kenyon and Leona Wagner.
Sister Wagner is a Sunday School teacher and temple ordinance worker, has served with her husband as he presided over the México Guadalajara Mission, and is a former ward Young Women and Primary presidency counselor, and stake Seminary superintendent. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Milton Edmund and Stella Valoy Smith.
Salt Lake Temple
Blaine Jackson Wixom Jr., 73, Olympus 5th Ward, Salt Lake Olympus Stake, called as president of the Salt Lake Temple, succeeding President Cecil O. Samuelson. President Wixom’s wife, Rosemary Mix Wixom, will serve as temple matron, succeeding Sister Sharon G. Samuelson. He is a High Priests group instructor and temple sealer and is a former president of the Washington D. C. South Mission, stake president, bishop, high councilor and a member of the General Melchizedek Priesthood Committee. Retired vice president marketing director, he was born in Murray, Utah, to Blaine Jackson and Rhoda Myrtle Wixom.
Sister Wixom is a former Primary general president, has served with her husband as he presided over the Washington D.C. South Mission, and is a former Young Women and Primary General Board member, stake and ward Young Women president, and stake Primary president. She was born in Ogden, Utah, to Robert Wayne and Mary Mix.