YouTube sensation among those called to church advisory council for young men

SALT LAKE CITY — The creator of the wildly popular YouTube channel "Outdoor Boys" has a new venue in which to share his wisdom with the world.

Luke J. Nichols is among 14 men called to the Young Men General Advisory Council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will assist the Young Men General Presidency as they counsel with other general and local church leaders to teach, serve and watch over the young men of the church. The members of the council began serving on Dec. 1.

The Young Men General Presidency — President Timothy L. Farnes and counselors Brother David J. Wunderli and Brother Sean R. Dixon — were sustained during April 2025 general conference and began serving Aug. 1.

Nichols entertained millions of people with his extreme camping, fishing and hunting exploits in the Alaska wilderness for 11 years, the first year as "Catfish and Carp" and the last 10 with "Outdoor Boys." He amassed more than 18 million subscribers.

In May, Nichols pulled the plug on the program, citing unwanted attention it brought to him and his family as the audience grew. His videos often included his three boys — Tom, Nathan and Jacob — and his wife Rebecca. He posted three new videos in November but said he didn't know if he would post more in the future.

Nichols was born in Anchorage, Alaska, where he developed a love for the outdoors from an early age. He was a missionary in Japan and earned a political science degree from Brigham Young University. He earned a law degree at George Mason University and practiced law in Virginia for 10 years, specializing in criminal defense, before moving his family to Alaska.

A few years ago, Nichols and his wife talked about their faith and family in a YouTube video that received 1.4 million views and more than 3,000 comments.

Also called to serve on the Young Men General Advisory Council are:

• Agbor T. Agbor, 53, Wasatch 7th Ward, Salt Lake Wasatch Utah Stake. He was born in Cross River State, Nigeria. He works as the president of Utah Water Systems LLC.
• Derral E. Eves, 51, Hurricane 19th Ward, Hurricane Utah South Stake. Born in Ogden, he founded a marketing agency specializing in social media strategy and audience development. He is cofounder and executive producer of the television series "The Chosen."
• Daniel E. Mendoza García, 55, Santaquin 19th Ward, Santaquin Utah North Stake. He was born in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. He has worked at different companies in the production industry.
• John Hilton III, 48, Cascade 4th Ward, Orem Utah Cascade Stake. Born in San Francisco, he works as a professor of religious education at BYU and has authored several books and online courses.
• Richard P. Kaufusi, 59, Poplar Grove Ward, Salt Lake Cannon Stake. He was born in Fua'amotu, Tonga. He works with Wolfgramm Capital, building businesses in the manufacturing sector and focusing on workforce development and apprenticeship opportunities for youth.
• G. Sheldon Martin, 45, Stone Creek Ward, West Haven Utah Stake. He was born in Auburn, Washington. He has worked for the church for 21 years and currently serves as the director of member insights in the Priesthood and Family Department.
• Steve K. Mutombo, 35, Lehi 35th Ward (French-speaking), Lehi Utah Central Stake. He was born in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He works as a financial consultant for a firm in Salt Lake City.
• Rogelio Osuna, 40, Anthem 3rd Ward, Herriman Utah Anthem Stake. Born in Mexico City, Mexico, he works for the church's Missionary Department supporting international missionary training centers.
• Walter G. Queiroz Jr., 64, Highland 28th Ward, Highland Utah Central Stake. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, he oversees a mining company in Brazil and a commercial janitorial company in Utah.
• Anthony R. Sweat, 49, Hobble Creek 15th Ward, Springville Utah Hobble Creek Stake. Born in Reno, Nevada, he is a professor of history and doctrine at BYU.
• Clinton E. Udy, 49, Silver Lake Ward, Eagle Mountain Utah Silver Lake Stake. Born in Burley, Idaho, he works for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion as a region director.
• Parker Aaron Walbeck, 36, College Farms Ward, Lehi Utah Willow Park Stake. He was born in Provo. He operates an online course and YouTube channel called Full-Time Filmmaker, teaching video production and social media marketing. He also runs a faith-based YouTube channel and Instagram account.
• Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita, 72, Grandview 23rd Ward (Japanese-speaking), Provo Utah Grandview East Stake. He was born in Tokyo, Japan. He worked as an assistant professor at Tsukuba University and a professor of health and sports science at Fukuoka University.

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