Ulisses Soares

Ulisses Soares is an apostle who has served since 2018, becoming the first Latin American apostle in church history. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Soares brings an international perspective to the largely American Quorum of the Twelve.

Soares had a career in business and accounting before his full-time church service. He served as a general authority seventy and in area presidencies throughout South America before his historic call to the apostleship.

His calling was seen as significant recognition of the church’s growth in Latin America, where membership has exploded. Brazil alone has over 1.4 million members, and Portuguese and Spanish-speaking members now represent a significant portion of the global church.

Soares frequently speaks about faith, family, and the gospel transforming lives in Latin America. His messages often incorporate stories from the international church that many American members find enlightening.

He represents the increasingly diverse future of church leadership as growth continues strongest outside the United States.