Church releases and grants emeritus status to 6 Seventy of General Authority

Six seventy General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were released and were granted emeritus status during the 191st Semi-Annual General Conference Saturday afternoon.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, announced the names of the six church leaders, who each turned 70 last year:

• J. Devn Cornish, originally from Salt Lake City, is a retired pediatrician and was a General Authority Seventy for 10 years.
• Timothy J. Dyches, from Murray, Utah, is a retired physician who served as General Authority Seventy for eight years.
• David F. Evans, who grew up in Salt Lake City, was a lawyer and bank executive, and was a General Authority Seventy for 16 years.
• Elder Robert C. Gay, originally from Los Angeles, has worked in business, education, and humanitarian aid and was a General Authority Seventy for nine years.
• James B. Martino, who was born in Denton, Texas, worked in business and was a General Authority Seventy for 12 years.
• Terence M. Vinson, originally from Sydney, Australia, has spent his professional life as a financial advisor and fund manager and served as General Authority Seventy for eight years.

The callings of the New Seventy of General Authority are traditionally announced at general conferences in April.

President Eyring also acknowledged the passing of Dean M. Davies, who was General Authority Seventy for a year and a counselor in the presiding bishopric of the church for eight years. Elder Davies died of cancer on August 31 and would have been released as a General Authority Seventy at that general conference.

“We extend our sincere condolences and appreciation to Sister Darla Davies and the family for Elder Davies’ tireless service,” said President Eyring.

Earlier this week, two new Area Seventies were supported at a leadership meeting in Temple Square.

Last April, 77 New Area Seventy were maintained at the start of the general conference leadership session instead of during a general session. The church also published 66 Area Seventy August 1st.