Leadership for Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Walter F. Gonzalez was sustained Saturday morning as a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to succeed Elder Quentin L. Cook, who was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.

He joins Elders Claudio R.M. Costa and Steven E. Snow, who were appointed to the presidency in August and sustained in their positions on Saturday.

Elder Gonzalez, 54, was sustained to the First Quorum of the Seventy on March 31, 2001. He previously served in the South America North Area presidency as an Area Authority Seventy. The Uruguay native formerly served as director of the Church Education System in the South America North Area, as a Church Education System employee and as an area public affairs director.

Elder Costa, 58, has served as a general authority since 1994. He was sustained as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy in April 1994 and then called to the First Quorum of the Seventy on March 31, 2001. He has served as president of the South America North Area and Brazil North Area, and as a counselor in the Brazil and South America South areas.

Elder Snow, 57, was called to serve in the First Quorum of the Seventy on March 31, 2001, and supervised the North America Central Area. He previously served as executive director of the priesthood department and president of the Africa Southeast Area.

Released from the Presidency of the Seventy were Elders Charles Didier, Merrill J. Bateman , and Robert C. Oaks. Elder Bateman received emeritus status. Elders Didier and Oaks will continue with area presidency assignments overseas.

Elder Wm. Rolfe Kerr was also given emeritus status but will continue to serve as commissioner of church education, according to a church spokesman.