Members of the general presidencies of the Sunday School and Young Men, for the first time since 1979, are not General Authorities, effective by changes made during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference.
Also during business conducted during the session by President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander was released from the Presidency of the Seventy. He had served in that calling since August 15, 2000.
Elder John H. Groberg was sustained to the Presidency of the Seventy. Elder Groberg was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 3, 1976.
Among the Area Authority Seventies, 11 were released from the part-time service and 35 were sustained. (Photos and biographical information of those newly called will be published later.)
Released from the Sunday School presidency were Elder Merrill J. Bateman, president; Elder John H. Groberg, first counselor; and Elder Val R. Christensen, second counselor.
Released as the Young Men presidency were Elder F. Melvin Hammond, president; Elder Lynn G. Robbins, first counselor; and Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, second counselor.
All are members of the First Quorum of the Seventy except Elder Christensen, a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.
A. Roger Merrill was sustained as Sunday School president with Daniel K. Judd as first counselor and William D. Oswald as second counselor. Sustained as Young Men president was Charles W. Dahlquist II with Dean R. Burgess as first counselor and Michael A. Neider as second counselor.
Since October 1979, the presidencies of the Sunday School and Young Men have been composed of General Authorities serving as full-time members of the Seventy. The newly sustained leaders will continue their employment while serving part-time in their auxiliary presidency positions. They are considered general officers of the Church, but do not serve as General Authorities and will not have other assignments, according to a press release from the Church.
President Merrill, 58, has been serving as an Area Authority Seventy in the Utah South Area. Raised in Carmel, Calif., he completed his bachelor's degree at BYU. He is a senior consultant for a leadership training company, a partner in his own consulting firm and the author of several books. He has been a stake president, a member of the general Melchizedek Priesthood Committee, a high councilor, bishop, branch president and full-time missionary. He and his wife, Rebecca Rippy Merrill, live in Lehi, Utah, and are parents of seven children.
Brother Judd, 47, is chairman of the Department of Ancient Scripture at BYU. He grew up in Kanab, Utah, earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Utah University and completed his master's degree and doctorate at BYU. Prior to his call to the Sunday School general presidency, Brother Judd was serving as president of the Orem Utah Canyon View Stake. He has also served as a bishop, ward mission leader, Young Men president, Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout leader. Now living in Orem, Utah, he is married to Kaye Seegmiller Judd, and they have four children.
Brother Oswald, 68, is currently serving as president of the Russia Vladivostok Mission. He will complete his mission assignment in July, then return to assume his new responsibilities. An attorney and U.S. Army veteran, Brother Oswald received his law degree from the University of Utah where he also spent his undergraduate years. He has been a member of the Sunday School general board, a member of the Sunday School general presidency, regional representative, bishop, branch president and Sunday School teacher. He and his wife, Mavis Morris Oswald, have six children.
President Dahlquist, 56, was serving as branch president of a young single adult branch before receiving his new calling. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Brother Dahlquist is an attorney. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Utah after finishing a bachelor's degree at BYU. A leader in civic and community organizations, he has also served as a mission president, stake president, counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, ward Young Men president, Scoutmaster and full-time missionary. Married to Zella Darley Dahlquist, they are parents of five daughters and live in Sandy, Utah.
Brother Burgess, 57, will leave his current Church service as a high councilor in a student stake. He spent his early years in Alpine, Utah, then went on to attend the College of Southern Utah and completed his bachelor's degree at BYU. He is a construction supervisor and home builder. He has served as a mission president, counselor in a stake presidency, stake Young Men president, bishop, high councilor, stake missionary, priesthood instructor and full-time missionary. He and his wife, Annette Christensen Burgess, have five children and live in Sandy, Utah.
Brother Neider, 55, has been serving as first counselor in the presidency of the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. Raised in Tyhee, Idaho, he is a business executive and lawyer. He earned bachelor's and law degrees from BYU. He is active in community service. He has served as a stake president, stake Young Men president, bishop, ward mission leader, Sunday School teacher and full-time missionary. Married to Rosemary Curtis Neider, they are parents of eight children and live in Sandy, Utah.