The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is mourning the unexpected passing of Elder Mark D. Bassett, a General Authority Seventy, who died on Monday at the age of 59. Church officials confirmed that Elder Bassett passed away in St. George, Utah. While a specific cause of death has not been officially released, his sudden passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences from Church members and leaders worldwide.
Elder Bassett had been serving as a General Authority Seventy since April 2016. During his decade of service, he held numerous high-level leadership positions, including assignments in the South Pacific and North America West Areas. He was well-regarded for his administrative capability and his deep spiritual commitment to the missionary work of the Church, having previously served as a mission president in the Arizona Mesa Mission and as a member of the Missionary Department at Church headquarters.
Born in Carmichael, California, Elder Bassett’s professional background before his full-time Church service was in the wholesale automobile industry. He and his wife, Angela, are the parents of five children…