The largest number of new mission presidents yet assembled participated in the 1996 Seminar for New Mission Presidents June 19-23 at the Missionary Training Center here. The 138 new leaders and their wives, who come from 17 countries, received instruction from President Gordon B. Hinckley; his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust; members of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Quorums of the Seventy; and the Missionary Department staff.
The leaders, seasoned with many years of Church experience, met for general sessions that began with an address by President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, and concluded with an address by President Gordon B. Hinckley.Following the seminar, the new presidents traveled to the 47 countries where they will assume their three-year responsibilities.
The large number of new presidents this year is a result of the continually increasing number of missions, and the replacement of presidents called to lead 19 new missions created in 1993.
