“The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, May 2017
The Sustaining of Church Officers
My dear brothers and sisters, President Monson has asked that I now present to you the General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Auxiliary Presidencies of the Church for your sustaining vote.
It is proposed that we sustain Thomas Spencer Monson as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Henry Bennion Eyring as First Counselor in the First Presidency; and Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf as Second Counselor in the First Presidency.
Those in favor may manifest it.
Those opposed, if any, may manifest it.
It is proposed that we sustain Russell M. Nelson as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the following as members of that quorum: Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, and Dale G. Renlund.
Those in favor, please manifest it.
Any opposed may so indicate.
It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators.
All in favor, please manifest it.
Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.
We gratefully acknowledge the service of Elder Bruce D. Porter, our friend and associate, who passed away on December 28, 2016. We express our love and heartfelt condolences to Sister Susan Porter and to their children and grandchildren. We are thankful to have served with this good man.
It is proposed that we release Taylor G. Godoy and John C. Pingree Jr. as Area Seventies. Those who wish to express appreciation to these brethren for their service, please so indicate.
It is proposed that we release with heartfelt gratitude Sisters Linda K. Burton, Carole M. Stephens, and Linda S. Reeves as the Relief Society General Presidency. We likewise extend releases to members of the Relief Society general board.
All who wish to join us in expressing appreciation to these sisters for their remarkable service and devotion, please manifest it.
It is proposed that we release Sister Jean B. Bingham as First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency and Sister Bonnie H. Cordon as Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency.
Those who wish to extend appreciation to these sisters may do so by the uplifted hand.
It is proposed that we sustain the following as new General Authority Seventies: Taylor G. Godoy, Joni L. Koch, Adilson de Paula Parrella, John C. Pingree Jr., Brian K. Taylor, and Taniela B. Wakolo.
All in favor, please manifest it.
Those opposed, by the same sign.
It is proposed that we sustain Jean B. Bingham to serve as Relief Society General President with Sharon L. Eubank as First Counselor and Reyna I. Aburto as Second Counselor.
It is further proposed that we sustain Bonnie H. Cordon to now serve as First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency and Cristina B. Franco to serve as Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency.
All in favor, please manifest it.
Any opposed may so indicate.
It is proposed that we sustain the following as new Area Seventies: Luis R. Arbizú, David A. Benalcázar, Berne S. Broadbent, David L. Buckner, L. Todd Budge, Luciano Cascardi, Ting Tsung Chang, Pablo H. Chavez, Raymond A. Cutler, Fernando P. Del Carpio, José Luiz Del Guerso, Aleksandr A. Drachyov, I. Raymond Egbo, Carlos R. Fusco Jr., Jorge A. García, Gary F. Gessel, Guillermo I. Guardia, Marcel Guei, José Hernández, Karl D. Hirst, Ren S. Johnson, Jay B. Jones, Anthony M. Kaku, Paul N. Lekias, John A. McCune, Tomas S. Merdegia, Artur J. Miranda, Elie K. Monga, Juan C. Pozo, Anthony Quaisie, James R. Rasband, Carlos G. Revillo Jr., Martin C. Rios, Johnny F. Ruiz, K. Roy Tunnicliffe, and Moisés Villanueva.
Those in favor may manifest it.
Any opposed may so signify.
It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Auxiliary Presidencies as presently constituted.
All in favor, please manifest it.
Those opposed, if any.
The voting has been noted. Those who may have opposed any of the proposals should contact their stake presidents.
My dear brothers and sisters, thank you for your continued faith and prayers in behalf of the leaders of the Church.
We now invite the new General Authority Seventies and the new Relief Society General Presidency to take their seats on the rostrum. President Monson always says, “It’s a long walk.” Thank you, sisters. Thank you, brethren. As a matter of information, Sister Franco is currently serving a mission with her husband in Argentina. She was just sustained, as you know, and will officially begin her service upon their return in July.