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

This conference message is a formal presentation of Church leaders for sustaining, release, and expressions of gratitude. Although it is administrative in nature, it teaches important gospel principles about common consent, sustaining priesthood and auxiliary leaders, expressing gratitude for consecrated service, and recognizing that the Lord directs His Church through orderly revelation and established patterns. A sacrament meeting talk based on this message can help a congregation better understand what it means to sustain leaders with both uplifted hands and faithful hearts.

Topics

Sustain Church leaders by common consent

President Christofferson presents Church leaders for the sustaining vote of the membership and invites members to show their support in the established manner, illustrating the principle of common consent in the Church.

President Oaks has asked that I now present the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for your sustaining vote.

We ask that you please express your support in the usual way.

We again thank you for your sustaining vote on behalf of the leadership of the Church.

Key Points:

Church leaders are presented to the membership for a sustaining vote.
Members participate in an orderly and established process of common consent.
Sustaining is more than observing leadership changes; it is an act of support and faith.
The sustaining vote applies to General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers.
The Church publicly and transparently follows this pattern in general conference.

Experiences:

When have you felt that raising your hand to sustain a leader became a meaningful spiritual commitment rather than a routine action?
What experiences have helped you better understand the principle of common consent in the Church?
When have you been blessed by following the counsel of a leader you sustained?
How have you taught children or youth what it means to sustain Church leaders?
When have you felt unity with the worldwide Church during a sustaining vote?

Respond to opposition through proper priesthood channels

The talk briefly but clearly teaches that if anyone opposes a proposal, they should contact their stake president, showing that concerns in the Church are handled through order, respect, and priesthood channels.

If there are those who oppose any of the proposals, we ask that you contact your stake president.

Those opposed, if any, by the same sign.

Any opposed may so signify.

Key Points:

The Church provides an orderly process for handling opposition or concerns.
Members are invited to act respectfully and through proper priesthood leadership.
The sustaining process includes both support and the opportunity to signify opposition.
Order in the Church reflects divine governance rather than confusion.
Stake presidents have a role in receiving and addressing concerns.

Experiences:

When have you seen the blessing of handling a concern through the right channels?
How has the order of the Church helped you feel confidence in its leadership and governance?
What personal experience has taught you the value of respect when questions or concerns arise?
When have you learned that the Lord's house is a house of order?
How could you explain to others why the Church includes a process for opposition as well as sustaining?

Honor faithful service when leaders are released

President Christofferson announces releases and emeritus status for General Authority Seventies, notes the release of many Area Seventies, and extends gratitude to the outgoing Primary General Presidency, emphasizing appreciation for devoted service.

According to established policy followed for many years, General Authority Seventies are released and granted emeritus status in the year a General Authority Seventy turns 70.

Those who wish to express gratitude to these brethren and to their wives and families for their years of dedicated service throughout the Church may do so by the uplifted hand.

We note with gratitude the 75 Area Seventies who will complete their service and whose names can be found on the Church’s website.

Those who wish to join in expressing appreciation to these brethren and to their families for their years of selfless service may manifest it.

We extend, with sincere gratitude, releases to the Primary General Presidency, effective on August 1, 2026, as follows: Susan H. Porter as President, Amy A. Wright as First Counselor, and Tracy Y. Browning as Second Counselor.

All who wish to join in expressing gratitude to these sisters and their families for their devoted service may manifest it.

Key Points:

Releases are part of the Lord's orderly pattern in Church service.
Emeritus status honors years of faithful labor.
Families are acknowledged as part of the sacrifice and service rendered.
The Church expresses gratitude publicly for dedicated and selfless service.
Being released does not diminish the value of prior service.

Experiences:

When have you felt gratitude for a leader whose service blessed your life or family?
What experience have you had with a release that taught you that callings are temporary but discipleship is lifelong?
How have you seen the sacrifice of a leader's spouse or family support Church service?
When have you been released from a calling and felt the Lord's love and appreciation?
What story could you share about thanking a leader for quiet, faithful service?

Recognize that callings come through established policy and order

The talk repeatedly refers to effective dates, established policy, and the formal process of sustaining and releasing leaders, showing that the Lord governs His Church through order and established patterns.

According to established policy followed for many years, General Authority Seventies are released and granted emeritus status in the year a General Authority Seventy turns 70.

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai has been called to serve as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, effective on August 1.

It is proposed that we sustain the following as the new Primary General Presidency, to be effective on August 1, 2026.

It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers of the Church as presently constituted.

Key Points:

Church leadership changes follow established policy and timing.
Callings and releases are handled formally and reverently.
Effective dates reflect careful preparation and orderly transition.
The phrase "as presently constituted" shows continuity in Church leadership.
Orderly administration supports confidence in the Lord's governance of His Church.

Experiences:

When have you seen wisdom in the orderly way the Church extends and releases callings?
How has a well-planned transition in a ward or stake blessed you or your family?
What personal experience has shown you that revelation often works through order and preparation?
When have you been strengthened by seeing continuity in Church leadership?
How could you relate this principle to order in your home or calling?

Welcome new leaders with faith and support

President Christofferson presents newly called leaders, including a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy, new General Authority Seventies, new Area Seventies, and a new Primary General Presidency, inviting members to sustain them in their assignments.

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai has been called to serve as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, effective on August 1.

It is proposed that we sustain the following as new General Authority Seventies: Elders Christian C. Chigbundu, Matthew J. Eyring, Hutch U. Fale, James O. Fantone, Kevin J. Hathaway, Thabo Lebethoa, Jeremiah J. Morgan, and Paul H. Sinclair.

We note that 91 new Area Seventies were sustained during the general conference leadership meetings on Thursday, April 2, and then announced on the Church’s website. We invite you to sustain these brethren in their new assignments.

It is proposed that we sustain the following as the new Primary General Presidency, to be effective on August 1, 2026: Rosemary K. Chibota as President, Nina M. Garfield as First Counselor, and Theresa A. Collins as Second Counselor.

Key Points:

New leaders are called at multiple levels of Church service.
Members are invited not just to notice new names but to sustain them in their assignments.
Leadership changes reflect the global nature of the Church.
The Church includes both priesthood and auxiliary leadership in this sustaining process.
Sustaining new leaders is an act of trust in the Lord's choices.

Experiences:

When have you felt inspired to support a newly called leader even before knowing them well?
What experience have you had with a new bishopric, presidency, or teacher that strengthened your faith?
How have you seen the Lord qualify people whom He calls?
When have you welcomed a new leader and later seen the blessings of that support?
What could you share about praying for newly called leaders?

See the global Church in its leadership

The long lists of names from many nations and backgrounds reflect the worldwide nature of the Church and show that the Lord is raising leaders across the earth.

We note that 91 new Area Seventies were sustained during the general conference leadership meetings on Thursday, April 2, and then announced on the Church’s website.

We note with gratitude the 75 Area Seventies who will complete their service and whose names can be found on the Church’s website.

Key Points:

Church leadership is drawn from many countries, languages, and cultures.
The lists of Area Seventies demonstrate the worldwide growth of the Church.
The Lord's work is advancing across the earth through local and regional leaders.
Members can feel connected to a global body of Saints.
The diversity of names and backgrounds reflects the gathering of Israel.

Experiences:

When have you felt the reality of the worldwide Church in a personal way?
What experiences with missionaries, converts, travel, or multicultural wards could you share?
How has seeing leaders from many backgrounds strengthened your testimony of the gathering of Israel?
When have you felt unity with Saints from another nation or culture?
What story could help listeners appreciate the global reach of the Lord's Church?

Include families in gratitude for Church service

The talk repeatedly mentions wives and families when expressing appreciation, reminding members that Church service often involves shared sacrifice and support at home.

Those who wish to express gratitude to these brethren and to their wives and families for their years of dedicated service throughout the Church may do so by the uplifted hand.

Those who wish to join in expressing appreciation to these brethren and to their families for their years of selfless service may manifest it.

All who wish to join in expressing gratitude to these sisters and their families for their devoted service may manifest it.

Key Points:

Church service often depends on the sacrifice and support of family members.
The Church publicly acknowledges wives and families, not only the person holding the calling.
Gratitude should extend to those who quietly sustain leaders behind the scenes.
Faithful service blesses the whole Church but often requires private family consecration.
Members can become more thoughtful in thanking entire families for their support.

Experiences:

When have you seen the unseen sacrifice of a leader's family?
What experience has taught you to thank not only the leader but also the spouse or children who supported that service?
How has your own family been affected by a Church calling?
When have you felt blessed by a family who gave generously to support the Lord's work?
What personal story could help a congregation appreciate hidden acts of consecration?