Changes in Church Areas Announced

The upcoming changes will result in 15 areas outside North America and 6 areas inside North America

First and Second Quorums of the Seventy, 2018

Seven Church areas in the United States and Canada will be combined into three areas, effective August 1, 2019, the First Presidency announced. The North America Northwest Area and the North America West Area will combine to become the North America West Area. The Idaho Area and the North America Central Area will become the North America Central Area. And the Utah North Area, the Utah Salt Lake City Area, and the Utah South Area will become the Utah Area.

After these changes, the Church will have 15 areas outside North America and 6 areas inside North America, for a total of 21.

The First Presidency also announced changes in the Church’s area leadership assignments, effective August 1, 2019.

All members of Area Presidencies are General Authority Seventies or Area Seventies. “The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve … , in building up the church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:34).