“The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 1994, 22
Saturday Afternoon Session
2 April 1994
The Sustaining of Church Officers
My dear brothers and sisters, I shall now present to you the General Authorities and general auxiliary presidencies of the Church for your sustaining vote.
It is proposed that we sustain Ezra Taft Benson as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Gordon B. Hinckley as First Counselor in the First Presidency; and Thomas S. Monson as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Those in favor may manifest it. Those opposed, if any, may manifest it.
We pay tribute to Elder Marvin J. Ashton, a member of the Council of the Twelve, who passed away 25 February 1994.
It is proposed that we sustain Howard W. Hunter as President of the Council of the Twelve Apostles and the following as members of that council: Howard W. Hunter, Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, James E. Faust, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, and Robert D. Hales.
Those in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed.
It is proposed that we sustain the Counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.
All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.
It is proposed that we sustain Elder Cree-L Kofford, who has been serving as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
Those in favor, please manifest it. Opposed, if any, by the same sign.
It is proposed that we sustain the following as new members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy: Claudio R. Mendes Costa, W. Don Ladd, James O. Mason, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Lance B. Wickman.
All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.
In view of the call of Bishop Robert D. Hales as a member of the Council of the Twelve, it becomes necessary to release him as the Presiding Bishop.
Those who wish to join us in a vote of appreciation to Bishop Hales and his Counselors, H. David Burton and Richard C. Edgley, please manifest it.
It is proposed that we sustain Merrill J. Bateman as Presiding Bishop, with H. David Burton as First Counselor and Richard C. Edgley as Second Counselor. Simultaneously, we release Elder Bateman as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.
All in favor. Any opposed.
It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities and general auxiliary presidencies as presently constituted.
Those in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed may manifest it.
It appears that the voting has been unanimous in the affirmative.
We now invite the newly sustained member of the Twelve, members of the Seventy, and Presiding Bishop to take their places on the stand. Would you brethren now come forward, if you are able.