2000–2009
The Sustaining of Church Officers
October 2002


The Sustaining of Church Officers

My brothers and sisters, President Hinckley has requested that I now present to you the General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, and general auxiliary presidencies of the Church for your sustaining vote.

It is proposed that we sustain Gordon Bitner Hinckley as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Thomas Spencer Monson as First Counselor in the First Presidency; and James Esdras Faust as Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Those in favor may manifest it. Those opposed, if any, may manifest it.

It is proposed that we sustain Thomas Spencer Monson as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Boyd Kenneth Packer as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and the following as members of that quorum: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Henry B. Eyring. Those in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed.

It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. All in favor may manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

It is proposed that we release Elder Ben B. Banks as a member of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy and as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and designate him as an emeritus General Authority. All who wish to join with us in doing so, please manifest it. Thank you.

With gratitude for their service as members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, we extend an honorable release to Elders Richard D. Allred, Athos M. Amorim, L. Edward Brown, Earl M. Monson, and Jerald L. Taylor and to the following as Area Authority Seventies: Paulo C. Amorim, Carl W. Bacon, Bruce B. Bingham, O. Brent Black, Antonio Cappi, Victor D. Cave, Craig C. Christensen, James M. Dunn, David W. Ferrel, Daryl H. Garn, D. Rex Gerratt, Mario E. Guzmán, Spencer V. Jones, Hitoshi Kashikura, Chong-Youl Kim, Richard K. Klein, John Maxwell, Wolfgang H. Paul, Keith L. Smith, Juan Uceda, Claudio D. Zivic. Those who wish to join in an expression of appreciation, please indicate by the uplifted hand. They have served well.

It is proposed that we release with a vote of thanks Elder Richard J. Maynes as second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. All in favor may manifest it, please.

It is proposed that we sustain Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf as a member of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy. All in favor please manifest it. Any opposed by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain Elders Craig C. Christensen, James M. Dunn, Daryl H. Garn, D. Rex Gerratt, and Spencer V. Jones as new members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. All in favor may manifest it. Any opposed.

It is proposed that we sustain Elder Val R. Christensen as second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency. All in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed.

It is proposed that we release with a vote of thanks and sincere appreciation Sisters Margaret D. Nadauld, Carol B. Thomas, and Sharon G. Larsen as the Young Women general presidency. We also release all members of the Young Women general board. All in favor, please manifest it.

It is proposed that we sustain Sister Susan Winder Tanner as the new general president of the Young Women, with Sister Julie Bangerter Beck as first counselor and Sister Elaine Schwartz Dalton as second counselor. Those in favor may manifest it. Any opposed.

It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, and general auxiliary presidencies as presently constituted. Those in favor, please manifest it. Opposed, if any, by the same sign.

President Hinckley, it appears that the sustaining has been unanimous in the affirmative.

Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your faith and prayers. Thanks to all those who have been released for their unstinting service and commitment to their Heavenly Father, and welcome to those who have been newly called. We shall now ask the newly called members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy and the Young Women general presidency to take their places on the stand. Thank you.