Lds church announces shift: seven general authorities to emeritus status
Salt Lake City – In a move signaling a planned transition within leadership ranks, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that seven General Authority Seventies will be released from their current assignments and granted emeritus status, effective August 1, 2026. The announcement, delivered during the April 2026 General Conference, comes as eight new General Authority Seventies are sustained, alongside a new Primary general presidency.
A combined legacy of nearly a century
The seven departing leaders collectively bring nearly 95 years of service as General Authority Seventies to the table. This isn't a sudden departure; rather, it’s a carefully orchestrated succession plan, a common practice within the Church, allowing for the infusion of new perspectives and energy into its global operations.
Profiles of departing leaders: a tapestry of experience
Among those transitioning to emeritus status are Elder Craig C. Christensen, currently serving as president of the Church’s United States Southeast Area, and Elder Eduardo Gavarret, a counselor in the South America South Area presidency. Christensen's career spans business and ministry, including executive roles in the Priesthood and Family Department and significant leadership in various international areas. His background in accounting and business administration—a bachelor's from BYU and an MBA from the University of Washington—hints at the increasingly sophisticated management challenges facing the Church today.
Gavarret's journey highlights a different path: a deep commitment to service across South America and the Caribbean, coupled with a strong business acumen honed through roles in pharmaceutical and management sectors. His license in administration and management, and MBA from INPG-MBA, speak to a distinctly Latin American perspective within the Church’s global apparatus.
Elder Brook P. Hales's unique position as secretary to the First Presidency since 2008 underscores the critical support roles within the Church hierarchy. His transition, while relatively recent in terms of his General Authority calling (2018), demonstrates the planned rotation of leadership to ensure continuity and fresh insights, even in seemingly administrative positions.
The remaining departing General Authorities—Elders William K. Jackson, Erich W. Kopischke, Peter F. Meurs, and S. Mark Palmer—bring further diversity of experience, from medical practice (Jackson) to insurance brokerage (Kopischke) and engineering leadership (Meurs), to real estate development (Palmer). Each has served in various capacities across the globe, demonstrating the breadth of the Church’s reach and the diverse skillsets required to manage its worldwide operations. The common thread is a decades-long dedication to service, often spanning multiple missions and leadership roles within local congregations.
What this signals for the future
While the release of these seasoned leaders may appear as an ending, it’s fundamentally a transition. The granting of emeritus status allows these individuals to continue contributing their wisdom and experience in advisory roles, while opening space for a new generation of leaders to step forward. It’s a deliberate strategy to balance institutional memory with a constant influx of fresh perspectives, a dynamic essential for any organization navigating a rapidly changing world. The sustained new General Authority Seventies will undoubtedly bring their own unique strengths and insights to bear on the challenges and opportunities the Church faces in the years ahead.
The careful planning surrounding these transitions—announced well in advance—underscores the Church’s commitment to stability and a structured succession process. It is a reminder that even within a faith-based organization, strategic planning and leadership development are paramount.