Mark A. Bragg was born in Los Angeles, California, in April 1962 to Donald and Diane Bragg. Mark and his two brothers were raised playing sports, influenced by their father, who had been a basketball player at UCLA. When Mark was fourteen, friends from his Little League baseball team introduced his family to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mark was baptized and his mother, who had been a member earlier in life, began coming to church again. Although Donald did not choose to be baptized at that time, he was always supportive of his family’s membership in the Church.
Elder Bragg went on to serve as a full-time missionary in the Mexico Monterrey Mission, where he served under the direction of mission president Roy King and his wife, Darlene. After returning home, he began dating his mission president’s youngest daughter, Yvonne, and they were married in the Los Angeles California Temple on March 17, 1984. Elder Bragg attended the University of Utah, majoring in marketing and Spanish. Later in life, he would complete executive education programs at UCLA, University of Michigan, and other institutions.
The Braggs returned to California, where Elder Bragg started a career in banking as vice president of Great Western Bank in Los Angeles in real estate operations. As the Braggs raised their four children, they faced challenges and adversity, including when Elder Bragg lost both of his parents—his mother the day after he was called as bishop in the ward where he grew up. Elder Bragg has stated that he gained empathy from that experience that he wouldn’t have otherwise, and it has guided him through the various callings in which he has served throughout his life. He continued to do well in his career, most recently holding the position of senior vice president of the Bank of America in complaint resolution and legal/government relations.
Elder Bragg has served in the South America South and the North America West Area Presidencies. He was called as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2016.
