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October 2024 General Conference

Six Area Seventies Sustained at the October 2024 General Conference Leadership Session

The new leaders are from five countries in Africa, Central America and South America

At the general conference leadership session of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday, October 3, 2024, six new Area Seventies were presented for a sustaining vote.

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

  • Jean Pierre A. L. Haboko, 57, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; coordinator, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion; currently serving as ward temple and family history leader of the Kimbwala 2nd Ward; former bishop, bishopric counselor, mission president, stake presidency counselor and stake president; wife: Jolie; 10 children.
  • George Katembo Njogu Munene, 47, Nairobi, Kenya; managing director, Simplify IT, Ltd.; currently serving as a counselor in the Kenya Nairobi West Mission presidency; former stake presidency counselor and stake president; wife: Sarah; three children.

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

  • Ramiro Ibarra Sanchez, 55, Guaymas, Mexico; manufacturing engineer; currently serving as president of the Guaymas México Stake; former bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor and stake president; wife: Itzel Janely; four children.
  • Francisco Villanueva Rojas, 44, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Mexico; federal court judicial actuary, Mexico government; currently serving as self-reliance group facilitator of the Independencia Ward; former bishop and stake president; wife: Ester; two children.

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

  • Miguel A. Avila, 40, Lima, Peru; CEO, MTJ General Service SAC; recently released as president of the Trujillo Perú Jerusalén Stake; former bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor and stake president; wife: Flor; three children.
  • A. Enrique Texeira, 42, Lambaré, Paraguay; O&M regional manager, Meetinghouse Facilities; currently serving as assistant area auditor of the Paraguay Asunción North Assistant Area Audit Office; former bishop and bishopric counselor; wife: Zanir Elena; two children.

Area Seventies are Church leaders called by the First Presidency to be witnesses of the name of Christ and to assist the Twelve in “building up the church and regulating all the affairs” and “preaching and administering the gospel” in their assigned areas (Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). They act under the keys and direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Area Seventies are called and set apart to serve in specific geographical areas but may also be assigned to serve in other areas as needed. They are not called to full-time service and typically serve for five years. Their duties include meeting and counseling with local Church leaders to help them fulfill their responsibilities. Each Area Seventy also belongs to a Quorum of the Seventy. There are currently 12 Quorums of the Seventy. More Quorums of the Seventy may be added as the Church grows (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:93–96).

See a complete list of the Church of Jesus Christ’s Area Seventies.

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