The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced eight new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday afternoon session of the April General Conference, along with a new Primary General Presidency. The announcement also included a leadership change in the Presidency of the Seventy, where Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai was named to begin serving on August 1, replacing Elder S. Mark Palmer.
The new callings come as the Church continues its worldwide administrative and ministerial work across missions, temples, family history, humanitarian efforts, and local congregation support. General Authority Seventies serve full-time and are described by the Church as “especial witnesses” who assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in building up the Church and preaching the gospel worldwide.
Leadership change in the Presidency of the Seventy
Elder Tai, who has served as a General Authority Seventy since 2019, will join the seven-member Presidency of the Seventy. The group oversees the work of the Seventy and supports the Quorum of the Twelve in global Church operations, including travel, training, and coordination with local leaders.
The current other members of the presidency are Elders Carl B. Cook, Marcus B. Nash, Michael T. Ringwood, Arnulfo Valenzuela, Edward Dube, and Kevin R. Duncan. Elder Palmer, who has served in the presidency since 2021, will be released and granted emeritus status on August 1.
Elder Tai, 53, is from Hong Kong and was serving as President of the Asia Area when called. He has also served as Assistant Executive Director of the Missionary Department and as an Area Assistant in the North America Southeast Area.
His background includes full-time missionary service in Australia, later service as an Area Seventy, and leadership roles in district and branch settings. He earned degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked in investment banking and real estate development.
Eight men called as new General Authority Seventies
The new General Authority Seventies come from multiple regions and professional fields, reflecting the Church’s global leadership structure. Their callings were announced at conference, with all serving full-time under direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
- Christian C. Chigbundu, 51, of Nigeria, was serving as president of the Nigeria Enugu Mission.
- Matthew J. Eyring, 56, of California, was serving in the Chile Santiago South Mission and has experience in consulting and medical technology.
- Hutch U. Fale, 46, of Utah, was serving in the Utah Area and has worked as an attorney.
- James O. Fantone, 54, of the Philippines, was serving in the Philippines Area and has a background in education administration.
- Kevin J. Hathaway, 51, of Montana, was serving as president of the Arkansas Bentonville Mission and has experience in healthcare and business leadership.
- Thabo Lebethoa, 50, of South Africa, was serving as a Sunday School teacher and has worked in welfare and self-reliance initiatives.
- Jeremiah J. Morgan, 55, of Ohio, was serving as an elders quorum instructor and has experience in public service and law.
- Paul H. Sinclair, 60, of Wisconsin, was serving as president of the England London Mission and has a background in law and organizational leadership.
Each of the new leaders previously served in local and area assignments such as bishop, stake president, mission president, Area Seventy, or counselor in church presidencies. Their service also reflects the Church’s pattern of calling leaders with experience in education, law, business, public service, and missionary work.
What the General Authority Seventies do
General Authority Seventies help lead Church work across the world and operate under the authority of the Twelve Apostles. Their responsibilities include teaching, visiting congregations, meeting with missionaries, organizing Church units, and counseling with local leaders on administrative and spiritual needs.
They also support missionary work, temple and family history efforts, humanitarian programs, and broader efforts to strengthen members and communities. According to Church doctrine cited in the announcement, these leaders are called to preach and administer the gospel while helping regulate Church affairs worldwide.
New Primary General Presidency
The Church also announced a new Primary General Presidency for children ages 18 months to 11 years. Rosemary K. Chibota will serve as president, with Nina M. Garfield as first counselor and Theresa A. Collins as second counselor.
Chibota, originally from Malawi and raised in Zimbabwe, works in human resources for the Church and has served in a range of local teaching and leadership roles. Garfield, who lives in Utah and was born in Japan, has served extensively in Relief Society and Primary leadership. Collins, also based in Utah, has served in Primary, Relief Society, Young Women, and mission leadership settings.
The Primary General Presidency works with children, families, and local leaders around the world to strengthen faith and support gospel learning. Its members begin their service on August 1, the same date set for the Presidency of the Seventy changes and the emeritus release of the seven departing General Authority Seventies.
Read more at: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org
