Four members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy were released at the Saturday afternoon session of conference, and thanked for their 51/2 years of service.
Released were Elders H. Verlan Andersen, George I. Cannon, Francis M. Gibbons and Gardner H. Russell, who were called as General Authorities in April 1986.Elder Andersen, 76, served as first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency and as second counselor in the Utah Central Area presidency prior to his release. He also served as second counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, as first counselor in the Mexico/Central America Area and as first and second counselor in the South America South Area. Prior to his call as a General Authority he was serving a mission with his wife to Argentina and Peru.
Elder Cannon, 71, served as president of the North America Southwest Area before he was released. He is former president of the Philippines/Micronesia Area and also served as second counselor in the Asia Area. He was vice president of a life insurance company at the time of his call to the Seventy.
Elder Gibbons, 70, served as first counselor in the North America Southwest Area prior to his release. He has served as second counselor in the South America North Area, as president of the Brazil Area and as first and second counselor in the North America Southwest Area. Before his call to the Seventy, he was secretary to the First Presidency.
Elder Russell, 71, served as first counselor in the Central America Area before he was released. He also served as first counselor in the North America Southeast Area and second counselor in the Mexico/Central America Area. He is a former president to the Uruguay-Paraguay Mission and was working as a manufacturer and business consultant at the time of his call to the Seventy.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, announced the release of the four Seventies while conducting the sustaining of General Authorities and auxiliary leaders. He also asked for a sustaining vote of three new members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy who were called since last conference. They are Elders Han In Sang, Stephen D. Nadauld and Sam K. Shimabukuro.
