Changes in General Authority Assignments

Several changes in General Authority assignments were announced during the opening session of the 163rd Semiannual General Conference.

Elders Dean L. Larsen, James M. Paramore, and J. Richard Clarke were released from the Presidency of the Seventy. Elders Joe J. Christensen, Monte J. Brough, and W. Eugene Hansen were sustained as new Presidents of the Seventy; they join Elders Rex D. Pinegar, Carlos E. Asay, Charles Didier, and L. Aldin Porter in that Presidency. (For further information, see August 1993 Ensign, p. 74.)

In addition, Elder L. Lionel Kendrick of the Seventy, currently serving as president of the Dallas Temple, was released as second counselor in the Young Men general presidency. Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, also of the Seventy, was sustained as second counselor in the Young Men general presidency.

Also, Elders Jacob de Jager, Adney Y. Komatsu, and H. Burke Peterson, all of the First Quorum of the Seventy, were granted emeritus status.

Elder Jacob de Jager

Sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy 3 April 1976, Elder de Jager most recently served as counselor in the North America West Area presidency. Prior to his calling as a General Authority, he served as a regional representative and as a counselor to three mission presidents. He speaks six languages and lived in the Far East for several years while in Church leadership positions.

Elder Adney Y. Komatsu

The first General Authority of Japanese descent, Elder Komatsu has served in many positions. He was sustained an Assistant to the Twelve 4 April 1975 and was sustained a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy 1 October 1976. A former temple and mission president, Elder Komatsu most recently has served as assistant executive director in the Priesthood Department.

Elder H. Burke Peterson

Most recently serving as president of the North America Central Area and as assistant executive director in the Temple Department, Elder Peterson was sustained as first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric 6 April 1972. He was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy 6 April 1985. He has served as a regional representative, as a stake president, and as a temple president.