The First Presidency has announced the call of six new Area Seventies from as many countries.
The announcement and sustaining were done Thursday morning, Sept. 29, in the first session of the October 2022 general conference leadership meetings, as published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
The leadership sessions include the Church’s general authorities, general officers and Area Seventies.
The newly sustained Area Seventies have been assigned to five of the 10 quorums comprised exclusively of Area Seventies.
In the April 2022 general conference session, 45 new Area Seventies were sustained.
Under the direction of the Presidency of the Seventy, Area Seventies meet with and teach Church leaders, missionaries and members of the Church in local congregations. The authority of Area Seventies is generally limited to the area where they serve.
Following is a list of new leaders by assigned quorum:
Third Quorum — Africa Central, Africa South and Africa West areas
Willy Binene, 53, Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo; coordinator, Seminaries and Institutes; recently released as Church History regional director; former district president, stake president and mission president; wife: Lilly; four children.
Seventh Quorum — Europe Central, Europe East, Europe North and the Middle East/Africa North areas
Bernhard Cziesla, 57, Jakobwüllesheim, Germany; director, Toyota Financial Services Europe & Africa; currently serving as a counselor in a mission presidency; former bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency and stake president; wife: Daniela; two children.
Yves S. Weidmann, 46, Burgdorf, Switzerland; head of Governmental Affairs and member of the executive board, Interpharma; currently serving as ward Primary teacher; former bishop and stake president; wife: Yvonne; two children.
Eighth Quorum — Pacific and Philippines areas
Sione Tuione, 50, Auckland, New Zealand; area Leader and Member Support coordinator, Pacific Area office; currently serving as bishop; former high councilor, stake president and mission president; wife: Moala; five children.
Ninth Quorum — South America Northwest and South America South areas
Ricardo J. Battista, 64, Buenos Aires, Argentina; industrial fuel measurement technician, Metrogas S.A.; currently serving as FSY area coordinator; former bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor; wife: Myriam; three children.
Tenth Quorum — North America Central, North America Northeast and North America Southeast areas
Nathan R. Emery, 52, Belleair, Florida; ophthalmologist, self-employed; currently serving as service mission leader; former bishop, bishopric counselor and stake president; wife: Lori Ann; three children.
