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The new Primary General Presidency as of August 1, 2026. From left to right: Nina M. Garfield (First Counselor), Rosemary K. Chibota (President), and Theresa A. Collins (Second Counselor), during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 4, 2026. 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Saturday, August 1, 2026, marks the official first day of service for several general leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who were sustained April 4 in the Saturday afternoon session of the April 2026 general conference.
Leadership changes announced as being effective August 1 include a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and emeritus status for seven General Authority Seventies, a new Primary General Presidency and changes to area presidencies.
April 2019 General Authorities
Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai, General Authority Seventy, and new member of the Presidency of the Seventy.Presidency of the Seventy Changes
Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai is the new member of the Presidency of the Seventy. He is replacing Elder S. Mark Palmer, who is receiving emeritus status.
Emeritus General Authority Seventies
The seven General Authority Seventies released from their assignments and given emeritus status effective August 1 are Elder S. Mark Palmer, Elder Craig C. Christensen, Elder Eduardo Gavarret, Elder Brook P. Hales, Elder William K. Jackson, Elder Erich W. Kopischke and Elder Peter F. Meurs.
Primary General Presidency Changes
The three women sustained as the new Primary General Presidency who begin their service August 1 are President Rosemary K. Chibota, with Sister Nina M. Garfield, First Counselor, and Sister Theresa A. Collins, Second Counselor. They replace outgoing Primary General Presidency: President Susan H. Porter and her counselors, Sister Amy A. Wright and Sister Tracy Y. Browning.
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The new Primary General Presidency as of August 1, 2026. From left to right: Nina M. Garfield (First Counselor), Rosemary K. Chibota (President), and Theresa A. Collins (Second Counselor).© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.New Area Presidencies
On April 15, the First Presidency announced the 2026-2027 area leadership assignments effective August 1. The Church has 24 areas — six are in the United States and 18 cover other countries. Area Presidencies work under the direction of assigned members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presidency of the Seventy.
Some Area Presidencies increased from three to four members. Each area continues to have an assigned Area President, but counselors are no longer designated as “first” or “second” counselor. These adaptations are designed to increase support in Area Presidencies to better meet the needs of a growing, modern Church.
Most members of Area Presidencies are General Authority Seventies, with some Area Seventies. Three Area Seventies comprise the Eurasian Area Presidency, headquartered in Moscow, Russia.
