8 New General Authorities Sustained at LDS General Conference

Members also sustained a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy and granted emeritus status to 7 general authorities.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 8:49pm

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sustained eight new General Authority Seventies during the Saturday afternoon session of the 196th Annual General Conference. Members also sustained a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy and granted emeritus status to seven General Authority Seventies.

Why it matters

The sustaining of new general authorities is an important event for the Latter-day Saint church, as these leaders are called to serve as 'especial witnesses' and assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in building up the church worldwide. The changes in the Presidency of the Seventy and granting of emeritus status also reflect the ongoing leadership transitions within the church's hierarchy.

The details

The eight new General Authority Seventies sustained are: Elder Christian C. Chigbundu, Elder Matthew J. Eyring, Elder Hutch U. Fale, Elder James O. Fantone, Elder Kevin J. Hathaway, Elder Thabo Lebethoa, Elder Jeremiah J. Morgan, and Elder Paul H. Sinclair. Members also sustained Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai as a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy, effective August 1, 2026. Seven existing General Authority Seventies were released and granted emeritus status: Elders Craig C. Christensen, William K. Jackson, Brook P. Hales, Eduardo Gavarret, Erich W. Kopischke, Peter F. Meurs, and S. Mark Palmer.

  • The new general authorities were sustained on April 4, 2026, during the Saturday afternoon session of the 196th Annual General Conference.
  • Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai will begin serving in the Presidency of the Seventy effective August 1, 2026.
  • The seven general authorities granted emeritus status will be released effective August 1, 2026.

The players

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai

A 53-year-old from Hong Kong who has served as a General Authority Seventy since 2019 and will now join the Presidency of the Seventy effective August 1, 2026.

Elder Christian C. Chigbundu

A 51-year-old from Nigeria who was serving as president of the Nigeria Enugu Mission at the time of his call as a new General Authority Seventy.

Elder Matthew J. Eyring

A 56-year-old from California who has professional experience in management consulting, medical technology, and business innovation.

Elder Hutch U. Fale

A 46-year-old from Utah who was serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area prior to his call as a new General Authority Seventy.

Elder James O. Fantone

A 54-year-old from the Philippines who was serving as a member of the Eighth Quorum of the Seventy in the Philippines Area before his new call.

Elder Kevin J. Hathaway

A 51-year-old from Montana who was serving as president of the Arkansas Bentonville Mission at the time of his call.

Elder Thabo Lebethoa

A 50-year-old from South Africa who was serving as a Sunday School teacher prior to his new call.

Elder Jeremiah J. Morgan

A 55-year-old from Ohio who was serving as an elders quorum instructor before his new assignment.

Elder Paul H. Sinclair

A 60-year-old from Wisconsin who was serving as president of the England London Mission when he received his new call.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The sustaining of new general authorities and changes in church leadership reflect the ongoing renewal and expansion of the Latter-day Saint church's global ministry, as it continues to grow and adapt to serve members worldwide.