Matthew L. Carpenter

Matthew L. Carpenter was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. Before this calling, he served as a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Central Area, an assistant to the Utah Area Presidency, and a counselor in the North America Central Area Presidency, and he served on various committees at Church Headquarters. He is currently serving as first counselor in the Africa Central Area Presidency. 

Elder Carpenter was born on October 21, 1959, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest of eight children. In 1979, Carpenter served a full-time mission in the Switzerland Geneva Mission. After his return home, he married Michelle (Shelly) Kay Brown in 1982, and together they are the proud parents of five children. 

Elder Carpenter attended Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1983. He continued his education at Harvard Business School, obtaining a master’s degree in business administration in 1987. 

In his professional life, Elder Carpenter has been a chief financial officer, president, and chief executive officer for various commercial financial institutions. His financial expertise has been an asset in both his professional and Church service. 

Elder Carpenter has also held leadership roles such as scoutmaster, stake Young Men president, bishop, and stake president.