The following announcement was made by President Spencer W. Kimball at the beginning of the priesthood session.

We wish to announce that in order to give improved leadership to our stakes, Regional Representatives of the Twelve will be given limited line authority in the Church. They will not call nor release local leaders. They will have responsibility for the training of stake presidencies in priesthood work, Church programs, and leadership skills. Hereafter they will be reporting to the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve through the General Authority area supervisor. The Regional Representatives will be given detailed instructions on this expanded responsibility at a training session to be held Monday. Further information on this subject will be conveyed to stake leaders through the Regional Representatives and through correspondence from the General Authorities.