Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles died peacefully today at 12:15 p.m. in the hospital, surrounded by his wife and family. Funeral arrangements are still pending. Read the Church’s news release.

Elder Hales, who turned 85 in August 2017, was no stranger to health challenges. He was not able to participate in the April 2011 general conference. He returned to speak that year in the October conference, but did so from his chair rather than the pulpit.

In late September of this year, Elder Hales was admitted to the hospital for treatment of pulmonary and other conditions and was not able to attend the general conference sessions this weekend.

After recovering from serious health challenges, Elder Hales shared the following in general conference in October, 2000: “On a few occasions, I told the Lord that I had surely learned the lessons to be taught and that it wouldn’t be necessary for me to endure any more suffering. Such entreaties seemed to be of no avail, for it was made clear to me that this purifying process of testing was to be endured in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s own way. … I … learned that I would not be left alone to meet these trials and tribulations but that guardian angels would attend me. There were some that were near angels in the form of doctors, nurses, and most of all my sweet companion, Mary. And on occasion, when the Lord so desired, I was to be comforted with visitations of heavenly hosts that brought comfort and eternal reassurances in my time of need.”

Elder Hales was called as a General Authority on April 4, 1975. He served as the Presiding Bishop of the Church from April, 1985, until he was sustained as an Apostle in April, 1994. At the time of his death, he was fourth in seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Prior to his call to full-time Church service, Elder Hales had a distinguished business career, serving in executive positions with major national companies. After joining the Gillette Co., he became president of Papermate, a division of Gillette. He was a vice president of Max Factor and later headed the Hughes Television Network. Just prior to his call to be a general authority, he was president of Chesebrough-Pond’s.

• Church News article about the passing of Elder Hales
• Newsroom press release about the passing of Elder Hales
• Biography of Elder Robert D. Hales
• Memorium page for Elder Hales in the Prophets and Apostles section of LDS.org
• Video tribute posted to Elder Hales’ Facebook page
• Elder Hales’ testimony from the Special Witnesses of Christ series
• Photo gallery of Elder Hales
• Video tribute “Elder Robert D. Hales: About the Lord’s Business”