Study Guide for "Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers"

In this General Conference talk, President Dallin H. Oaks presents the General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers of the Church for sustaining. He goes through the process of sustaining each of these leaders, providing information on changes in leadership and giving the congregation an opportunity to express their support.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What is the process of sustaining General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers?
Why is the sustaining of Church leaders important?
What changes in Church leadership were announced?

Topics

Understanding the Sustaining Process

President Oaks explains the process of sustaining church leaders. This includes expressing support for the proposed leaders, and if there is any opposition, contacting the stake president. He goes through this process for each group of leaders, including the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, and the General Officers.

Brothers and sisters, I will now present the General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers of the Church for your sustaining vote.

Please express your vote in the usual way wherever you may be. If there are those who oppose any of the proposals, we ask that you contact your stake president.

What does it mean to sustain Church leaders?
What should someone do if they oppose the sustaining of a leader?
How can you more fully sustain the leaders of the Church?
What does it mean to you personally to sustain Church leaders?

Recognizing Changes in Church Leadership

Throughout the talk, President Oaks announces changes in Church leadership. This includes releases and new appointments in the Presidency of the Seventy, the Area Seventies, and the Primary General Presidency.

As a matter of information, Elders Robert C. Gay and Terence M. Vinson will be released from their service as members of the Presidency of the Seventy, effective on August 1, 2021.

We have released the Primary General Presidency as follows: Joy D. Jones as President, Lisa L. Harkness as First Counselor, and Cristina B. Franco as Second Counselor.

What changes in Church leadership were announced?
What is the role of the Presidency of the Seventy and the Primary General Presidency?
How do changes in Church leadership affect you personally?
How can you support new leaders in their roles?

Expressing Gratitude for Dedicated Service

President Oaks acknowledges the dedicated service of those who have been released from their positions, inviting the congregation to express their gratitude. He emphasizes the importance of appreciating the hard work and dedication of Church leaders.

Those who wish to express gratitude to these Brethren for their dedicated service may do so by the uplifted hand.

All who wish to join us in expressing appreciation to these sisters for their devoted service, please manifest it.

Why is it important to express gratitude for the service of Church leaders?
How did President Oaks invite the congregation to show their appreciation?
How can you personally express your gratitude for the service of Church leaders?
What impact has the service of Church leaders had on your life?

Sustaining New Church Leaders

President Oaks announces the new appointments in Church leadership, including the new members of the Presidency of the Seventy, the General Authority Seventies, the Area Seventies, and the Primary General Presidency. He invites the congregation to sustain these new leaders.

It is proposed that we sustain Elders Paul V. Johnson and S. Mark Palmer to serve as members of the Presidency of the Seventy, effective on August 1, 2021.

It is proposed that we sustain as the new Primary General Presidency Camille N. Johnson as President, Susan H. Porter as First Counselor, and Amy A. Wright as Second Counselor.

Who are the new leaders that were sustained?
What is the role of these new leaders in the Church?
How can you support these new leaders in their roles?
What does it mean to you personally to sustain these new leaders?

Maintaining Faith and Prayers for Church Leaders

At the end of the talk, President Oaks thanks the congregation for their faith and prayers on behalf of the Church leaders. He emphasizes the importance of continued faith and prayer in supporting the leaders of the Church.

Thank you for your continued faith and prayers in behalf of the leaders of the Church.

Why are faith and prayers important in supporting Church leaders?
How did President Oaks express gratitude for the faith and prayers of the congregation?
How can you continue to show faith and offer prayers for Church leaders?
What experiences have you had where your faith and prayers have supported Church leaders?