First Presidency Announces Creation of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy

The First Presidency has announced the formation of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy, effective immediately.

The creation of the quorum is the direct result of a growing Church. With the new calls extended at the April 2004 general conference, the number of members of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy exceeded 70—a full quorum.

The areas of the Church in the United States and Canada—which is where members of the Fifth Quorum have been serving—have been divided between the two quorums.

Forty-four Area Authority Seventies serving in the North America Northwest, North America West, Idaho, Utah North, Utah Salt Lake City, and Utah South Areas will be members of the Fifth Quorum.

Thirty-four Area Authority Seventies serving in the North America Central, North America East, North America Northeast, North America Southeast, and North America Southwest Areas will be members of the Sixth Quorum.

Areas served by the Third Quorum (whose members live in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific) and the Fourth Quorum (whose members live in Mexico, Central America, and South America) are unaffected by the change.

Area Authority Seventies continue their regular employment, reside in their own homes, and serve in their areas on a Church-service basis. Though they are not designated as General Authorities—as are the members of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy—Area Authority Seventies are also called to preach the gospel and to be special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. As assigned, they train stake presidencies, serve in Area Presidencies, tour missions, train mission presidents, and complete other assigned duties.

For changes to U.S. and Canada Area Presidencies and new Area Presidency assignments worldwide, see the “New Area Presidency Assignments” chart and accompanying story in the August 2004 issue of the Ensign.

[map] With the creation of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy, areas in the United States and Canada are divided between the Fifth and Sixth Quorums. (Map by Tom Child.)