Wade Christofferson, brother of LDS apostle D. Todd Christofferson, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two girls, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. A retired BYU professor has written a letter asking for "mercy for a good man."

Christofferson admitted to sending sexually explicit letters that constituted abuse. The sentencing date has not been announced. His brother D. Todd Christofferson has served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the church's second-highest governing body, since 2008.

The case has drawn attention because of the family connection to senior church leadership, though Elder Christofferson has not commented publicly on his brother's case.