New Seventies, Primary Presidency, and Young Women Counselor Called

During the solemn assembly held Saturday, October 1, in the opening session of the 164th Semiannual General Conference, President Howard W. Hunter, his Counselors in the First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities, as well as the general auxiliary leaders of the Church, were sustained by Church membership.

Included in this sustaining was the calling of three new members to the First Quorum of the Seventy; the granting of emeritus status to a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy; the release of seven Brethren from the Second Quorum of the Seventy; the calling of a new Sunday School general presidency; the calling of a new Primary general presidency; and the calling of a new counselor in the Young Women general presidency.

Called to the First Quorum of the Seventy were Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Andrew Wayne Peterson, and Cecil Osborn Samuelson, Jr. Elder Neuenschwander had been a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy since April 1991 and is serving as president of the Europe Area. Biographical information on Elders Peterson and Samuelson, both from Salt Lake City, is on page 105.

Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, called to First Quorum of Seventy.

Granted General Authority emeritus status was Elder Hartman Rector, Jr., who had served in the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1975. He had earlier served as a member of the First Council of the Seventy since 1968. Elder Rector joined the Church in 1952 while serving in the U.S. Navy. After serving as a naval aviator for twenty-six years, he retired with the rank of captain. Born and reared in Missouri, Elder Rector attended school at the University of Georgia and the University of Southern California. He also served as president of the California San Diego and Alabama-Florida Missions.

Elder Hartman Rector, Jr., granted emeritus General Authority status.

Released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy were Elders Albert Choules, Jr., Lloyd P. George, Malcolm S. Jeppsen, Richard P. Lindsay, Merlin R. Lybbert, Gerald E. Melchin, and Horacio A. Tenorio.

Elder Choules was called to the Seventy in October 1988. While in the Seventy he served as counselor in the Utah Central, Europe, and Utah South Areas. He will continue to reside in Salt Lake City.

Elder Albert Choules, Jr., released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

Elder George had been a member of the Seventy since October 1988. He served as counselor in the North America Southeast, North America Central, Pacific, and Utah Central Areas. He will live in Orem, Utah.

Elder Lloyd P. George, released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

Called to the Seventy in April 1989, Elder Jeppsen served as first and second counselor in the Utah North Area and as president in the Utah South Area. He will resume his work as a physician in a Salt Lake City practice.

Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen, released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

Elder Lindsay was called to the Seventy in April 1989. A native of Salt Lake City, he served as counselor in the Utah North and Africa Areas and as president of the Africa Area. He will remain in Salt Lake City.

Elder Richard P. Lindsay, released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

Called to the Seventy in April 1989, Elder Lybbert served as counselor and president in the Asia and North America Northwest Areas. Currently he is serving as president of the Cardston Alberta Temple. He will continue serving in that capacity.

Elder Merlin R. Lybbert, released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

Elder Melchin had been a member of the Seventy since October 1988. He served as counselor in the Utah North, Utah South, Europe North, and North America Southwest Areas. He is now president of the Toronto Ontario Temple and will continue in that calling.

Elder Gerald E. Melchin, released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

Elder Tenorio was called as a Seventy in April 1989. A native of Mexico City, Mexico, he served as counselor in the Mexico/Central America, Mexico, and South America South Areas. He will live in Mexico City.

Elder Horacio A. Tenorio, released from Second Quorum of Seventy.

A new Sunday School general presidency was also called during the opening session of conference: Elder Charles Didier of the Presidency of the Seventy will serve as president, with Elders J Ballard Washburn and F. Burton Howard of the Seventy as first and second counselor, respectively. The new Sunday School general presidency replaces Elders Merlin R. Lybbert, Clinton L. Cutler (who died April 9 of this year), and Ronald L. Poelman.

The Primary general presidency was also reorganized. Patricia P. Pinegar was called as the general president of the auxiliary for children, with Anne G. Wirthlin as first counselor and Susan Lillywhite Warner as second counselor.

Released after six and a half years in the Primary general presidency were President Michaelene P. Grassli and her counselors: Betty Jo N. Jepsen, first counselor; and Ruth B. Wright, second counselor.

Sister Grassli has served on the National Cub Scout Committee, the National Advisory Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and on the board of the Primary Children’s Medical Center. Prior to her call as Primary general president, she served for eight years as second counselor in the Primary general presidency and for five years as a member of the Primary general board.

Michaelene P. Grassli, released as Primary general president.

Sister Jepsen is a member of the National Boy Scout Committee, and her responsibilities in the Primary general presidency included curriculum, music, and children’s sacrament meeting presentations.

Betty Jo N. Jepsen, released from Primary general presidency.

Sister Wright has served on the National Cub Scout Committee. During her tenure in the Primary general presidency, she was responsible for Sharing Time, teacher training, and audiovisual materials.

Ruth B. Wright, released from Primary general presidency.

A new second counselor in the Young Women general presidency also was called to replace Sister Patricia Pinegar, who had been serving in that capacity. Sister Bonnie Dansie Parkin was sustained as second counselor to President Janette C. Hales, Young Women general president. Biographical information on these newly called sisters is found on pages 106–7.