SALT LAKE CITY — Elder W. Mark Bassett, a general authority seventy who had been serving since April 2016, has died due to a traumatic brain injury, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday.
Elder Bassett, 59, was with his family in St. George when an incident occurred, according to a church press release — though officials did not indicate what happened.
At the time of his death, Elder Bassett was serving as executive director of the church missionary department, overseeing worldwide missionary efforts. During his time in this calling, the church said it was a period of historic growth in missionary efforts around the world and of an unprecedented number of missionaries deciding to serve.
“Elder Bassett will be deeply missed and always remembered for his great faith and dedicated service to the Lord Jesus Christ,” a statement from the church reads.
Elder Bassett is survived by his wife Angela, his children and his grandchildren.
