You’ve seen the videos. The crisp white shirt, the razor-sharp focus, and that intense, piercing gaze that feels like it’s looking right through the camera lens and into your living room. Whenever David A. Bednar stands at a pulpit, there’s this specific kind of energy—a mix of academic precision and spiritual weight. But lately, a lot of people are asking the same question: exactly what is the age of David Bednar now that we’re deep into 2026?
It’s a fair question. In a leadership body where many men serve well into their 90s, Bednar has always been viewed as the "young" one. But time moves for everyone, even apostles.
The Numbers: How Old is He Actually?
Let’s get the math out of the way first. David Allan Bednar was born on June 15, 1952. If you’re doing the quick mental subtraction, that means as of right now, in early 2026, he is 73 years old. He’ll be hitting the 74-mark this coming June.
73.
In the real world, that’s past retirement age for most people. In the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that’s practically middle-aged. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip to realize he’s been in that Quorum for over two decades already.
When he was sustained back in October 2004, he was only 52. At the time, he was the youngest person called to the Twelve in decades. People were shocked. He looked like a kid compared to the giants of the era like Gordon B. Hinckley or Thomas S. Monson. Because he started so young, he’s had a front-row seat to the massive technological and cultural shifts the church has navigated over the last twenty years.
Why the Age of David Bednar Matters for the Future
People don't just Google his age because they're curious about his birthday cake. They’re looking at the "line of succession."
The LDS Church operates on a seniority system. The longest-serving apostle becomes the next president. Because the age of David Bednar was so low when he started, and because he’s generally known for being in incredible physical shape, there is a very high statistical probability that he will one day lead the entire global church.
He’s currently sitting in the middle-to-upper tier of seniority. But look at the guys ahead of him. Many are in their late 80s or 90s. Bednar is effectively the bridge between the "old guard" and the newest members of the Quorum who are just starting their tenures. He’s the one who remembers the pre-digital church but is totally comfortable teaching people how to use social media for missionary work.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Dane Witherspoon: His Life and Passing Explained
The "White Shirt" Discipline
If you’ve ever watched him speak, you know he doesn't act like a typical septuagenarian. He’s got this vibe—sorta like a CEO mixed with a high-level professor. That’s probably because he was a professor. He spent years at the University of Arkansas and later ran BYU-Idaho.
That academic background is why he’s so obsessed with "patterns." He doesn't just tell stories; he breaks down the mechanics of faith. You’ll hear him talk about the "Enabling Power of the Atonement" or the "Spirit of Revelation" as if he’s explaining a complex chemical reaction. It’s precise. It’s disciplined.
Some people find it a little intense. Others love it because it’s not fluffy.
Growing Up in Oakland: The California Roots
It’s easy to forget he isn't from the heart of Utah. He was born in Oakland, California. His dad wasn't even a member of the church for most of David’s life.
Think about that for a second.
You’re a kid growing up in the 50s and 60s in the Bay Area. Your mom is "steady" in the faith (his words), but your dad is the guy who goes to church but doesn't join. That created a specific kind of drive in him. He famously asked his dad for years when he was going to get baptized. His dad’s response? "I'll join when I know it's the right thing to do."
Eventually, after David was grown, married, and living his own life, his dad called him up and asked him to come home to California to perform the baptism. Bednar has said he honestly believes that’s one of the primary reasons he was even born—to help his father find that path. That’s a heavy perspective to have on your own existence.
The BYU-Idaho Transformation
Before the apostleship, there was Rexburg. In 1997, he became the president of Ricks College. Back then, it was a two-year junior college.
📖 Related: Why Taylor Swift People Mag Covers Actually Define Her Career Eras
Then came the year 2000.
Gordon B. Hinckley called him up and basically said, "We’re making Ricks a four-year university called BYU-Idaho. Make it happen."
Bednar didn't just add two years of classes. He fundamentally changed the school's DNA. He got rid of competitive sports (which was a huge deal at the time) and shifted the focus entirely to a "student-centered" learning model. He wanted a school that ran year-round to accommodate more people. It was a massive logistical headache that required the kind of organizational PhD energy he’s known for.
He was 45 when he took that job. By the time he left for Salt Lake City seven years later, the school was unrecognizable. That tenure is a huge part of why he’s viewed as a "fixer" or a "builder" within the church hierarchy today.
What People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about the age of David Bednar is that he’s somehow "out of touch" because he’s over 70.
Actually, it’s the opposite.
If you look at his social media presence or the way he interacts in Q&A sessions with young adults, he’s often the most tech-savvy person in the room. He was one of the first apostles to really lean into Instagram and Facebook as tools for ministry. He doesn't see technology as a "necessary evil." He sees it as a tool that was literally invented to help the church grow.
He also has a surprisingly dry sense of humor. People see the "scripture-bot" persona at the pulpit, but in smaller settings, he’s known for being quick-witted and surprisingly casual. He’s a huge sports fan—he played quarterback in high school—and he often uses sports metaphors to explain complex spiritual ideas.
👉 See also: Does Emmanuel Macron Have Children? The Real Story of the French President’s Family Life
Health and Longevity
The guy looks healthy. Like, really healthy.
While some of his colleagues have struggled with the physical toll of international travel as they hit their 80s, Bednar seems to have a freakish amount of stamina. He’s often seen power-walking or maintaining a very strict fitness regimen.
In the LDS tradition, the physical health of an apostle is a big deal because of that seniority-based succession. If he stays this healthy, he could potentially serve as the President of the Church for a very long time—maybe even 15 or 20 years, depending on how things shake out with those senior to him.
What to Expect Next
As he moves through his 70s, don’t expect him to slow down. If anything, he’s becoming more vocal. He’s been the point man for a lot of the church’s more complex legal and organizational shifts lately.
Here’s the reality: David Bednar isn't just an "old man" in a suit. He’s a highly trained organizational behavior expert who happens to believe he’s a witness of Jesus Christ. That combination of academic rigor and religious conviction makes him one of the most influential religious figures in the world today, regardless of his birth certificate.
Actionable Insights for the Future:
- Watch the Seniority: Keep an eye on the ages of the apostles senior to him (like Oaks, Holland, and Uchtdorf). Bednar’s influence grows every time the "line" moves forward.
- Study the Patterns: If you want to understand where the LDS Church is heading organizationally, read Bednar’s talks. He usually signals the "how-to" of church policy years before it becomes standard practice.
- Focus on the Tech: Expect Bednar to continue leading the charge on how the church uses AI and emerging tech in the next few years. He’s consistently been the early adopter in the Quorum.
The age of David Bednar—73—is just a number, but in the context of his role, it’s a number that suggests he’s only just getting started on his most impactful decade. Regardless of your personal beliefs, the guy’s trajectory is objectively fascinating to watch.