September 10th, 2025 11:30am MDT
After a life of faithful service, Elder David S. Baxter, 70 Honorary Authority, passed away on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 in Wiltshire, Wiltshire, England. He was 70 years old.
Elder Baxter served as a counselor with 70 people in the Western European region of the Church, and was called in 2006 by the Church President Gordon B. Hinckley to become 70 people.
He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009 and was president of the Pacific region when he took medical leave from missions. After his treatment, he served in various duties at the church headquarters. In 2017, he took another medical leave until last month when he again achieved honor status.
Elder Baxter believed that despite his turbulent childhood, financial trials and serious health challenges, he offered him hope and happiness.
“All things that are unfair about life can be done right through the tone sin of Jesus Christ. My experiences in life taught me to know the blessings of the tone sin of the Savior. We can be refreshed, purified, and lifted.
David Steward Baxter was born on February 7, 1955 in Sterling, Scotland. He was 12 when his mother, Ellen Baxter, who was doing his best to raise four children born from three troubled marriages on his own, opened the door to Latter-day Saint Missionary.
“When the missionaries came, “an incredible feeling of peace and goodness fell upon us,” Elder Baxter said in an interview with Church News following his call as a general authority. “We’ve always wanted that feeling.”
Being baptized by members of the Latter-day Saint Church of Jesus Christ “opened our lives to incredible transformation.
At the general meeting in April 2012, Elder Baxter spoke about her mother at a friendly address for single parents.
“With God’s help, you don’t need to fear the future,” Elder Baxter assured that church members all over the world struggle to raise their children on their own. “Your children will grow up, bless you, and each and every one of their many achievements will stand as a homage to you.”
Elder Baxter’s mother eventually married a new convert, a widow, and the family moved to Surrey, England, where she was accepted by local church members.
It was in the branch that he met Diane Marie Leworse. They attended youth activities and seminary together, two of five church members in the 1,200 school.
In 1976, Elder Baxter graduated from the University of Wales in Business and Economics and was called to serve at the Edinburgh Mission, Scotland. He said the opportunity on his mission to teach has provided even greater depth and breadth to his testimony.
As soon as they got home from his mission, they got married. Baxter married the citizen for the first time on February 24, 1979, as required by law, and was sealed later that day at London England Temple. Together, they raise four children and have 14 grandchildren. Sister Baxter passed away in 2022 at the age of 66.
As the two prayed together, early in the marriage, the elder and sister Baxter expressed their willingness to do “his will” and gave their lives to serve the Lord.
Elder Baxter was soon called Bishop at the age of 25. Over the years, he worked in a variety of callings, including stake president, mission president counselor, stake labs and public relations director.
Throughout his career he has been involved in communication and marketing with several international companies. At the time of his call as Directorate General, he was employed as Director General of the UK Department of International Trade and Investment, London, and as a member of the board of directors of the UK government agencies providing support to the deprived communities.
Elder Baxter, author of the three books, wrote that he was raised in poverty, and later included a trial enduring adulthood, including failed business investments and serious debts, an accident that seriously burned his infant son, and his own battle with cancer.
He wrote that a supportive teacher, his amazing wife, and most importantly, Jesus Christ helped him see him.
In a speech at the 2006 general conference, he said, “It is my witness that we feel the Savior’s love as we cultivate faith, grow through service and remain constant. We feel the Savior’s love.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
