Eight new General Authority Seventies and a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy were among those announced among leadership changes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the April 2026 general conference.
The additions were part of the calls announced by President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, during the Saturday afternoon session on April 4 in the Conference Center. Seven current General Authority Seventies were given emeritus status effective Aug. 1, and a new Primary general presidency was announced and sustained, also effective Aug. 1.
Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai has been called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, effective Aug. 1. He will replace Elder S. Mark Palmer, who has served in the presidency since 2021 and one of the seven receiving emeritus status.
Also given emeritus status were Elder Craig C. Christensen, Elder Eduardo Gavarret, Elder Brook P. Hales, Elder William K. Jackson, Elder Erich W. Kopischke and Elder Peter F. Meurs.
The new Primary general presidency – which will begin service on Aug. 1 – is composed of Rosemary K. Chibota, president; Nian M. Garfield, first counselor; and Theresa A. Collins, second counselor.
General Authority Seventies are called to be “especial witnesses” and to assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in “building up the church and regulating all the affairs” and “preaching and administering the gospel” throughout the world (Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). They serve full time in the Church and are usually released in the year they turn 70 years old.
The eight newly called and sustained General Authority Seventies are: – Elder Christian C. Chigbundu – Elder Matthew J. Eyring – Elder Hutch U. Fale – Elder James O. Fantone – Elder Kevin J. Hathaway – Elder Thabo Lebethoa – Elder Jeremiah J. Morgan – Elder Paul H. Sinclair
Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai, 53, was called as a General Authority Seventy in 2019 and is currently serving as president of the Church’s Asia Area. He has also served as an assistant executive director in the Missionary Department and an area assistant in the North America Southeast Area.
His previous Church service includes as Area Seventy, district president, branch president and full-time missionary in the Australia Melbourne Mission.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Born in Hong Kong, Elder Tai and his wife, Sister Naomi Tai, are the parents of six children.
Elder Christian C. Chigbundu Elder Christian Chiemezuolam Chigbundu, 51, has been serving as president of the Nigeria Engugu Mission. His previous Church service includes as bishop, stake president, and Area Seventy.
Holding advanced credentials in accounting, finance, marketing and law, Elder Chigbundu has professional experience in finance and mobility services and has served in executive leadership and on professional boards in Nigeria.
Born in Ahiaba Okpuala, Nigeria, Elder Chigbundu and his wife, Sister Felicia Mgbeodi Ugbor Chigbundu, are the parents of five children.
