Don H. Staheli

Who is Don H. Staheli?

Don Hansen Staheli is an American author and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the personal secretary to LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley. Staheli is the author of the children's best-seller, The Story of the Walnut Tree, which was published in September 2000.

Staheli was born in Spanish Fork, Utah to Gerald Douglass Staheli and his wife, Nadine Hansen. As a young man Staheli served as a missionary in the LDS Church's Franco-Belgium Mission.

Staheli is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and has a Bachelor's degree in History and Master's degrees in International Management and Social Work. He and his wife, Cyndy, have five children and thirteen grandchildren. The couple live in Bountiful, Utah. Cyndy Staheli has been a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Staheli also worked for LDS Family Services for 15 years. He also taught seminary and institute for the Church Educational System. He has contributed many articles to Meridian Magazine.

Staheli served as president of the LDS Church's France Paris Mission from July 2008 to July 2011. Previously, Staheli had served in the church as a regional representative, stake president and bishop. He has been the Secretary to the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since returning from France in 2011.