Changes in Members of Seventies Quorums;

New Young Women Presidency

Church members sustained a number of important leadership changes presented during the Saturday afternoon session of the 167th semiannual general conference. Three members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were given emeritus status; seven members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy were honorably released after completing five-year assignments; three new Area Authority Seventies were called to the Third Quorum of the Seventy; the Young Men and Sunday School general presidencies were reorganized; and the Young Women general presidency was released and a new presidency called.

Emeritus Status, Released

Designated as emeritus members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were Elders J. Richard Clarke, Dean L. Larsen, and Robert E. Wells. A native of Rexburg, Idaho, Elder Clarke most recently served as First Counselor in the North America Central Area Presidency. He was sustained on 1 October 1976 as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric and has served as a General Authority for the past 21 years. Elder Larsen, a native of Hyrum, Utah, most recently served as President of the North America Southwest Area and as Church historian and recorder. He was sustained on 1 October 1976 to the First Quorum of the Seventy and has served therein for the past 21 years. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Elder Wells most recently served as First Counselor in the Utah North Area Presidency. Elder Wells was also called on 1 October 1976 to the First Quorum, where he has served since then.

Released from the Second Quorum of the Seventy upon completion of five-year assignments were Elders Lino Alvarez, C. Max Caldwell, John E. Fowler, Augusto A. Lim, V. Dallas Merrell, F. David Stanley, and Kwok Yuen Tai. Living in Mexico City, Mexico, when called, Elder Alvarez most recently served as First Counselor in the Central America Area Presidency. Living in Provo, Utah, when called, Elder Caldwell most recently served as First Counselor in the North America West Area Presidency. Living in Sandy, Utah, when called, Elder Fowler most recently served as First Counselor in the Europe North Area Presidency. Living in Naga, Philippines, when called, Elder Lim most recently served as First Counselor in the Philippines/Micronesia Area. Living in Salt Lake City, Utah, when called, Elder Merrell most recently served as Second Counselor in the North America Central Area Presidency. Living in Boise, Idaho, when called, Elder Stanley most recently served as Second Counselor in the North America Southeast Area Presidency and as First Counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. Living in Hong Kong when called, Elder Tai most recently served as President of the Asia Area.

Newly Called

Elder John A. Grinceri of Perth, Australia, was called as an Area Authority Seventy to serve in the Pacific Area. Elder David W. Eka of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was called as an Area Authority Seventy to serve in the Africa Area. Elder Patrick C. H. Wong of Hong Kong, whose name was inadvertently not listed with those to be read in conference, was called as an Area Authority Seventy to serve in the Asia Area. All were assigned to the Third Quorum of the Seventy.

Auxiliary Presidencies

Elder F. David Stanley of the Seventy was released as first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, and Elder Robert K. Dellenbach was released as second counselor. Elder Dellenbach was then called as first counselor, and Elder F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy was called as second counselor. Elder Jack H Goaslind of the Presidency of the Seventy continues to serve as Young Men general president.

In the Sunday School general presidency, Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy was released as first counselor and Elder Glenn L. Pace of the Seventy was released as second counselor. Elder Pace was then called as first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Seventy was called as second counselor. Elder Harold G. Hillam of the Presidency of the Seventy continues serving as Sunday School general president.

In the Young Women general presidency, Sister Janette H. Beckham was released as president and Sister Margaret D. Nadauld was called to succeed her. Sister Carol B. Thomas, who had been serving as second counselor, was sustained as first counselor, succeeding Sister Virginia H. Pearce. Sister Sharon G. Larsen was sustained as second counselor. Biographical articles about Sisters Nadauld and Larsen appear on page 103; a biography of Sister Thomas appeared in the May 1997 Ensign.

Overflow crowds find ample space between the Tabernacle and North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square to enjoy conference sessions.