Thomas Hengst

Elder Thomas Hengst serves as an Area Seventy in the Seventh Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He lives in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Saxony, Germany, where he grew up as a fourth-generation member of the Church.

Born in 1964, Elder Hengst spent his childhood and youth in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), where religious believers faced significant political and social challenges. His family’s faith and the strength of local Church communities helped shape his testimony of Jesus Christ and his commitment to religious service.

One of the defining experiences of his life was the construction and dedication of the Freiberg Germany Temple in 1985, four years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Elder Hengst and his wife, Esther, were among the first couples married in the temple shortly after its dedication. He has written about the extraordinary significance of this event for Latter-day Saints living behind the Iron Curtain and the faith of Church members who persevered through decades of political oppression.

Throughout his life, Elder Hengst has served in numerous Church callings, including bishop, high councilor, and president of the Leipzig Germany Stake. Beginning as a teenager, he also served extensively as a Church teacher and spent many years as an organist. His Church service has reflected his interests in music, religious education, and strengthening individuals and families.

Professionally, Elder Hengst trained in engineering and developed a career in international business, including management responsibilities and extensive work with customers throughout the world. His experiences have given him opportunities to engage with people from many different cultures and backgrounds.

Elder Hengst has a particular interest in Church history, especially the experiences of Latter-day Saints in East Germany. Through personal writing and public speaking, he has reflected on the relationship between faith, freedom, history, and discipleship.

He and his wife, Esther, have three children. His experiences as a Church member in East Germany and his subsequent service have strengthened his conviction that faith in Jesus Christ can sustain individuals and communities through difficult circumstances.