Church calls 91 new Area Seventies at general conference leadership meeting

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also released 73 Area Seventies on Thursday

Published: April 2, 2026, 12:17 p.m. MDT

The name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints above the entrance to the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 11, 2025. — Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 11, 2025. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Tad Walch covers religion with a focus on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Leaders sustained 91 new Area Seventies on Thursday as part of the leadership session of the April general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The church leaders also announced the release of 73 Area Seventies on or before Aug. 1.

Area Seventies are part-time leaders called by the First Presidency who live at home and maintain their nonreligious vocations while typically serving for five years in specific geographical areas, though they can be assigned to other areas when needed.

Area Seventies assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to preach, administer the gospel, build the church and regulate its affairs in their assigned areas.

Here are the new Area Seventies listed by the church area. Those released follow at the bottom of this article.

Third Quorum of the Seventy (Africa Central, Africa South and Africa West Areas)

Nuno A. Campos, 39, Luanda, Angola; currently serving as president of the Luanda Angola Stake; former branch president and stake presidency counselor; wife: Jessica; six children.
Samuel E. Eghan, 52, Accra, Ghana; currently serving as president of the Tanzania Dar es Salaam Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Paulina; four children.
Fredrick N. Igweh, 52, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; currently serving as a high councilor of the Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake; former bishop, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Evelyn; five children.
M. Franck Ilunga, 42, Kolwezi, Congo; currently serving as president of the Kolwezi Democratic Republic of the Congo Joli Site Stake; former branch presidency counselor, branch president, district presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Kabongo; four children.
Anani Kouegan, 52, Lome, Togo; recently released as president of the Lomé Togo Be Stake; former branch presidency counselor, branch president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Kokovi; three children.
Sawman Machakaire, 43, Harare, Zimbabwe; currently serving as a seminary teacher in the Harare Zimbabwe Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, branch presidency counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Mary; seven children.
Philip J. Mathemera, 62, Hatfield, Zimbabwe; currently serving as a temple preparation teacher; former bishopric counselor, branch presidency counselor, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Barbara; three children.
Patrick O. Mawongo, 53, Kananga, Congo; currently serving as high councilor of the Malandji Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake; former branch presidency counselor, branch president, district presidency counselor, high councilor, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Sampembi; five children.
Ngqabutho F. Moyo, 44, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; currently serving as branch mission leader of the Queens Park Branch; former branch president, bishopric counselor, mission president, and stake president; wife: Faithful; three children.
Dennis K. Ocansey, 45, Accra, Ghana; currently serving as president of the Nigeria Abuja Mission; former branch president, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Rita; three children.
Jimmy C. Okot, 51, Gayaza, Uganda; recently released as president of the Gayaza Branch; former branch presidency counselor, branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, district presidency counselor, district president, mission president, and stake president; wife: Amanda; five children.
Sylvain G. Onagnelin, 53, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; currently serving as a high councilor of the Abobo Côte d’Ivoire East Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Yolande Aya; two children.
Sunday F. Oyedeji, 49, Egbeda, Nigeria; currently serving as president of the Lagos Nigeria Egbeda Stake; former bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Cecilia; four children.

Fourth Quorum of the Seventy (Asia and Asia North Areas)

Peter Bushi, 46, Bangkok, Thailand; currently serving as a temple preparation teacher of the Bangkok Thailand West Stake; former branch president, bishop, district presidency counselor, high councilor, mission presidency counselor, mission president, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Kamalakshi; three children.
Odgerel Ochirjav, 58, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; currently serving as a Sunday School teacher of the Tuul Ward; former branch president, district presidency counselor, district president, and stake president; wife: Ariunchimeg; two children.
Thịnh Phúc Phan, 41; recently released as district president; former branch presidency counselor and branch president; wife: Nữ Xuân Quyên; two children.

Fifth Quorum of the Seventy (Brazil Area)

Paulo M. Araujo, 59, São Paulo, Brazil; currently serving as stake president of the São Paulo Brazil Raposo Tavares Stake; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission presidency counselor, and mission president; wife: Renata; three children.
J. Joel Fernandes, 65, Campina Grande, Brazil; recently released as president of the Belém Brazil Temple; former bishop, bishopric counselor, mission presidency counselor, mission president, and stake president; wife: Maristela; four children.
Orson S. Lemos, 56, Recife, Brazil; currently serving as Sunday School president of the Imbiribeira Ward; former bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Fabiana; two children.
Luis H. Silva, 47, Nova Iguaçu, Brazil; currently serving as a mission presidency counselor of the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Sul Mission; former branch president, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Jane; two children.

Sixth Quorum of the Seventy (Caribbean, Central America and Mexico Areas)

Rafael Alcántara, 58, Mexico City, Mexico; currently serving as president of the Mexico City Chapultepec Stake; former bishop, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Cristina; three children.
J. Gerardo Álvarez, 54, Metepec, Mexico; currently serving as a temple worker in the Mexico City Mexico Temple; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Ana Laura; three children.
Lenin Cerón, 45, Toluca, Mexico; currently serving as an Aaronic Priesthood adviser in the Aeropuerto Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Cristina; two children.
Victor Cortez Padilla, 61, Mazatlán, Mexico; currently serving as a temple worker in the Guadalajara Mexico Temple; former bishop, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Martha; three children.
Alirio B. Díaz, 52, San Juan Ostuncalco, Guatemala; currently serving as a service mission leader in the Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, and stake president; wife: Mirian; three children.
Paul E. Higueros, 57, Villa Canales, Guatemala; recently released as president of the Perú Huancayo Mission; former bishop, high councilor, mission president, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Lisbett; three children.
Hans A. Martineau, 51, Metepec, Mexico; currently serving as president of the Metepec México Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Alma; two children.
Cesar A. Morales, 40, Mixco, Guatemala; currently serving as a mission presidency counselor of the Antigua Guatemala Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and stake president; wife: Lucia Carolina; three children.
Víctor Orozco, 40, Juchitán de Zaragoza, Mexico; currently serving as an institute teacher in the Juchitán Mexico Las Flores Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Patricia Nataly; three children.
N. Benjamin Poóu, 52, Cobán, Guatemala; currently serving as a stake presidency counselor of the Cobán Guatemala Stake; former bishop, high councilor, mission presidency counselor, and mission president; wife: Hilda; five children.
Luis D. Santana, 46, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; currently serving as president of the Perú Lima East Mission; former branch president, bishop, district president, high councilor, mission presidency counselor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Diana; three children.
Edgar D. Valdez, 38, Tijuana, Mexico; currently serving as a mission presidency counselor of the Mexico Mexicali Mission; former branch president, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Yoana; one child.

Seventh Quorum of the Seventy (Eurasian, Europe Central, Europe North and Middle East / Africa North Areas)

Hikombo Hitoto, 50, Aigné, France; currently serving as president of the Paris France South Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, branch presidency counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Valérie; six children.
Harri J. Myllylä, 51, Espoo, Finland; currently serving as stake president of the Helsinki Finland Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Marju; three children.

Eighth Quorum of the Seventy (Pacific and Philippines Areas)

Demetrio P. Agudo III, 54, Metro Manila, Philippines; currently serving as president of the Taguig Philippines Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Ronelle; six children.
Felix O. Bentayen Jr., 45, Lucena City, Philippines; currently serving as a mission presidency counselor of the Philippines San Pablo Mission; former bishop, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Katrina; three children.
Jerome G. Galotera, 49, Iloilo City, Philippines; currently serving as president of the California Anaheim Mission; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, district president, and stake president; wife: Beverly; four children.
Josue G. Jundos, 43, San Fernando, Philippines; recently released as president of the San Fernando La Union Philippines Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Millicent Pajarillo; five children.
Thelmo P. Navarra Jr., 47, Kabankalan City, Philippines; currently serving as president of the Binalbagan Philippines Stake; former branch president, bishop, district presidency counselor, and high councilor; wife: Maria Dolour; four children.
Stephen F. Notarte, 51, Makati City, Philippines; currently serving as a high councilor of the Makati Philippines Stake; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, mission president, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Catherine; two children.
D. Dan Nuñez, 46, Cebu City, Philippines; currently serving as president of the Cebu City Philippines Stake; former bishop, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Love; three children.
Wilfredo E. Rellora Jr., 44, Imus City, Philippines; currently serving as president of the Bacoor Philippines Stake; former bishop, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Michelle; three children.
Jon P. Reyes, 42, Batangas, Philippines; currently serving as president of the Batangas Philippines Stake; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Calixta Clarice Evangelista; four children.
Graham F. Smith, 64, Tamborine, Australia; currently serving as Sunday School president of the Windaroo Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Elaine; four children.
Michael J. Stone, 64, Biggera Waters, Australia; currently serving as elders quorum presidency counselor of the Helensvale Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Sharon; three children.
Paul J. Thomas, 52, Parrearra, Australia; recently released as president of the Australia Melbourne Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Nadene; four children.
Manea Tuahu, 46, Arue, French Polynesia; currently serving as president of the Tahiti Papeete Mission; former bishop, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Vahinui; four children.

Ninth Quorum of the Seventy (South America Northwest and South America South Areas)

Jorge R. Cardozo, 61, Resistencia, Argentina; currently serving as president of the Argentina Resistencia Mission; former branch president, bishop, mission presidency counselor, and mission president; wife: Iris; three children.
Juan Pablo Cortez, 48, Montevideo, Uruguay; currently serving as president of the Montevideo Uruguay East Stake; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Eliana; four children.
Miguel A. Honores, 42, Valparaíso, Chile; currently serving as president of the Valparaíso Chile Stake; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Yannina; four children.
Kleber A. Litardo, 56, Guayaquil, Ecuador; currently serving as president of the México Guadalajara East Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Miriam; three children.
Osvaldo E. Martinez Carreño, 57, Buenos Aires, Argentina; currently serving as a high councilor of the Los Angeles Chile South Stake; former bishop, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Adriana; four children.
Andres D. Moreno, 49, Cañuelas, Argentina; currently serving as president of the Cañuelas Branch; former bishop, bishopric counselor, branch presidency counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Virginia; four children.
Marcelo J. Paz, 54, Buenos Aires, Argentina; currently serving as president of the México Oaxaca Mission; former bishop, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Adriana; five children.
Carlos J. Rodriguez, 44, Trujillo, Peru; recently released as president of the Trujillo Peru Central Stake; former high councilor and stake presidency counselor; wife: Melody; three children.
Martin R. Tello Sotil, 54, Lima, Peru; currently serving as president of the Lima Perú Villa Salvador Stake; former bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Isabel; two children.
Jose J. Trovato, 48, San Pablo, Argentina; currently serving as elders quorum president of the Manantial Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Evelin; five children.
Juan F. Vásquez, 47, Santiago, Chile; currently serving as president of the Santiago Chile San Miguel Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Natalia; four children.
Andres Villegas, 57, Jamundí, Colombia; currently serving as a stake presidency counselor of the Cali Colombia San Fernando Stake; former bishop, mission presidency counselor, and mission president; wife: Sandra; two children.

Tenth Quorum of the Seventy (Canada, United States Central, United States Northeast and United States Southeast Areas)

Brett V. Benson, 52, Nashville, Tennessee; currently serving as president of the Nashville Tennessee Stake; former bishopric counselor and stake presidency counselor; wife: Lacy; three children.
Christopher B. Bingham, 53, Apex, North Carolina; currently serving as president of the Apex North Carolina Stake; former bishop, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Nellie; six children.
Rhett R. Hintze, 55, Etters, Pennsylvania; currently serving as president of the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Stake; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Melissa; three children.
R. Wade Litchfield, 63, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; recently released as president of the Côte d’Ivoire Abidjan West Mission; former high councilor, mission presidency counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: London; three children.
Scott M. Naatjes, 59, Credit River, Minnesota; currently serving as a mission presidency counselor of the Minneapolis Minnesota Mission; former branch president, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, and stake president; wife: Jodi; five children.
M. Shayne Olsen, 58, Kamloops, Canada; currently serving as president of the Vernon British Columbia Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Cyndy Jane; four children.
Joshua K. Perkes, 47, Elkhorn, Nebraska; currently serving as a temple worker of the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple; former bishop and stake president; wife: Brooke; four children.
Ryan A. Robinson, 51, Fortville, Indiana; currently serving as president of the Fishers Indiana Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and high councilor; wife: Heidi; three children.
Kurt F. Scherer, 45, Windermere, Florida; currently serving as president of the Orlando Florida South Stake; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Allison; four children.
Christopher L. Thomas, 56, Highlands Ranch, Colorado; currently serving as a high councilor of the Highlands Ranch Colorado Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, mission presidency counselor, mission president, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Sheryn; four children.
Kevin C. Thompson, 51, Calgary, Canada; currently serving as Sunday School teacher of the Inverness Ward; former bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Tracey; four children.

Eleventh Quorum of the Seventy (United States Southwest and United States West Areas)

Troy A. Bair, 50, Rescue, California; currently serving as president of the El Dorado California Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and high councilor; wife: Darce; four children.
Brandon J. Child, 50, East Wenatchee, Washington; currently serving as president of the Wenatchee Washington Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Emily; four children.
Brandon C. Ellison, 45, Benbrook, Texas; currently serving as president of the Fort Worth Texas Stake; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Stacy; four children.
Nathan R. Fernley, 49, Long Beach, California; currently serving as president of the Long Beach California East Stake; former bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Dara Lynn; three children.
Marcus F. Johnson, 39, Tempe, Arizona; currently serving as an elders quorum instructor in the Alameda Ward; former high councilor and stake president; wife: Alexandria; six children.
John L. Merrill, 55, Newbury Park, California; currently serving as president of the Newbury Park California Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and high councilor; wife: Marrianne; four children.
Jason T. Morris, 52, Henderson, Nevada; currently serving as a priests quorum adviser of the Palm Canyon Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Stephanie; five children.
Daniel W. Packard, 57, San Antonio, Texas; currently serving as a seminary supervisor of the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake; former bishop, high councilor, mission president, stake mission president, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Alison; four children.
Gary M. Riding, 62, Highland Village, Texas; currently serving as a senior service missionary; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Melissa; seven children.
B. Brondon Shaheen, 42, Gallup, New Mexico; currently serving as president of the Gallup New Mexico Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and high councilor; wife: Megan; five children.
Nathan Y. Sharp, 49, College Station, Texas; currently serving as an institute teacher of the College Station Texas Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Holly; five children.
Craig R. Spangler, 55, Port Orchard, Washington; currently serving as president of the Bremerton Washington Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, and stake presidency counselor; wife: Krisette; four children.
Christopher Stephenson, 51, Penryn, California; currently serving as a Sunday School teacher of the Loomis 1st Ward; former bishop, branch presidency counselor, district presidency counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Rebecca; four children.
Paula S. Tonga, 58, San Bruno, California; currently serving as temple worker of the Oakland California Temple; former bishop, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president; wife: Vika; three children.
Brian J. Willey, 49, Coppell, Texas; currently serving as president of the Carrollton Texas Stake; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Kathryn; four children.

Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy (Utah Area)

Andrew E. Dadson, 50, Vineyard, Utah; currently serving as president of the Vineyard Utah Grove Park Stake; former bishop and high councilor; wife: Milli; five children.
Matthew R. Hall, 54, Salt Lake City, Utah; currently serving as choir director of the Wasatch 5th Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, branch presidency counselor, high councilor, and stake president; wife: Julie; five children.
Lincoln D. Nadauld, 49, Santa Clara, Utah; currently serving as president of the Santa Clara Utah Stake; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, and high councilor; wife: Lindsay; five children.
Nadmid B. Namgur, 49, South Jordan, Utah; recently released as president of the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission; former branch president, bishop, bishopric counselor, and high councilor; wife: Mayumi; two children.
Reid L. Neilson, 53, Bountiful, Utah; currently serving as a mission preparation teacher of the Bountiful Utah Heights Stake; former high councilor and mission president; wife: Shelly; five children.
Ritch N. Wood, 60, Alpine, Utah; currently serving as a branch presidency counselor at the Provo Missionary Training Center; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, and stake president; wife: Rebecca; six children.

Releases

Comments

These are the 73 Area Seventies who will be released on or before Aug. 1, listed by church area: