Elder David S. Baxter, a Scottish emeritus General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on September 9, 2025, at the age of 70 in Devizes, Wiltshire, England.
He had served as a General Authority Seventy since 2006 and received emeritus status last month.
Born on February 7, 1955, in Stirling, Scotland, Elder Baxter was raised in a tumultuous household with a single mother who struggled to care for four children from three troubled marriages.
At the age of 12, he and his family were introduced to the LDS Church by missionaries, which brought a sense of peace and goodness into their lives. They were baptized, and this marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
Elder Baxter’s dedication to the Lord’s work was evident in his various callings. He served in the Scotland Edinburgh Mission, where he gained valuable experiences that deepened his testimony.
He also held leadership roles, including bishop, stake president, mission president’s counselor, and Area Seventy.
In 2006, he was called as a General Authority Seventy by President Gordon B. Hinckley, serving in this capacity for nearly two decades, including a stint as president of the Pacific Area.
Despite facing significant challenges, including a brain cancer diagnosis in 2009, financial difficulties, and personal loss, Elder Baxter credited the gospel of Jesus Christ with providing him hope and happiness.
He testified, “All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My life experience has taught me to know the blessings from the Savior’s Atonement. We can be refreshed, cleansed, lifted up. We can be healed.”
Elder Baxter married Dianne Marie Lewars in 1979, and they were sealed in the London England Temple. Together, they had four children and 14 grandchildren. His wife passed away in 2022 at the age of 66. He is also the author of three books, reflecting on his experiences and the lessons he learned along the way.