President Julian Jones and Sister Susan Jones begin their service as London England Temple president and matron today.
At the time of his assignment as temple president, President Jones was an Area Seventy executive secretary and is a former mission presidency counsellor, stake president, high councillor and bishop. He was born in Portsmouth, England, to George and Edna Jones who later became the London Temple president and matron.
President Jones was baptised in the early 1960s, alongside his mother. While studying at Loughborough University, President Jones met, baptised, and married Susan Leavey. It was during their time at Loughborough that President Jones also had the privilege of baptising his own father.
Susan was born in Basingstoke, England, to Dennis Leavey and Sybil McCann. Sister Jones is a former stake Relief Society president, stake Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counsellor, ward Primary president, and seminary teacher.
An avid sportsman, President Jones pursued higher education in physical education, earning degrees from both London University and the University of Nottingham.
Susan Jones holds a degree in education and qualifications from Canterbury University. She worked in special education until her retirement, at which point she and President Jones were called to serve a mission in Tahiti.
Sister Jones has a deep passion for gardening and may offer help to temple ground staff to plant, weed, and dig. Both enjoy regular visits to the theatre, having been drama students during their university years.
The Jones family includes six children, twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and they consider their family their most cherished ‘garden crop’.
Throughout their careers, the Joneses have worked in education. Sister Jones specialised in special education at the primary level, while President Jones spent 36 years in the Church Educational System, serving as coordinator, and country and area director. He spent 21 years as the director of the London Institute of Religion at Hyde Park chapel, where many current Church leaders were taught.
President Jones often reflects that the temple experience is not about worshipping in an empty tomb, but about seeking to hear from the Gardener in His garden.