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SALT LAKE CITY — President Barack Obama announced Thursday new nominees for key roles in his administration, including the first member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his faith-based council position.
Elder Steven Snow of the First Quorum of the Seventy was appointed to be a member of the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Elder Snow's membership in the council is a one-year appointment.
According to the White House's website, the advisory council "brings together leaders and experts in field related to the work of faith-based and neighborhood organizations in order to make recommendations to government on how to improve partnerships."
The advisory council is asked to "Identify best practices and successful modes of delivering social services; evaluate the need for improvements in the implementation and coordination of public policies relating to faith- based and neighborhood organizations; making recommendations to the President and the Administration on changes in policies, programs, and practices."
The faith-based office is made up of leaders of religions from across our great country, and Elder Snow's appointment ensures that the LDS faith will have a seat at the table.
–Sen. Orrin Hatch
Sen. Orrin Hatch congratulated Elder Snow on his new appointment, saying his position in the council will help the needs of the LDS faith.
"Elder Snow has provided service to the Church and I know he will serve as a valuable member of the President's Advisory Council," Hatch said in a prepared statement. "The faith-based office is made up of leaders of religions from across our great country, and Elder Snow's appointment ensures that the LDS faith will have a seat at the table."
Elder Snow currently serves as Church Historian, Recorder and Church History Department Executive Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his current position, Elder Snow served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, supervising the Utah Areas and North America Central Area from 2007 to 2012.
