User:Jgstokes/List of general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/August 2012

The following individuals are the current general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Included are the individuals' hierarchical position and some of their current specialized assignments in the church, if any.

Apostles

 * Council on the Disposition of the Tithes
 * Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System

Presiding Bishopric

 * Council on the Disposition of the Tithes

Presidency of the Seventy

 * Date called to be a seventy and the date called as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy
 * Years served as a general authority seventy
 * Area assignment, if any
 * Calling in area assignment or other responsibilities
 * Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System

Second Quorum of the Seventy

 * Date first sustained to First or Second Quorum of Seventy. Dates taken from 2012 Church Almanac, published by Deseret News.      Those marked with * were Area Seventy prior to call as a General Authority.
 * Area assignment, if any
 * Calling in area assignment or other responsibilities

Emeritus
Emeritus general authorities are general authorities who have been released from their position in the hierarchy. They remain general authorities until their death. All current emeritus general authorities are former members of the First Quorum of the Seventy, except Eldred G. Smith, who was the Patriarch to the Church and is now Patriarch emeritus, and the recently released Presiding Bishopric.

When the first general authorities were given emeritus status, N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency provided the following explanation:

"The very rapid growth of the Church across the world, with the attendant increase in travel and responsibility, has made it necessary to consider a change in the status for some of the Brethren of the General Authorities. Some of our associates have served for many years with complete and unselfish dedication, and they deserve every honor and recognition for such devoted service. It is felt advisable at this time to reduce somewhat the load of responsibility that they carry.

"After a long period of prayerful consideration and counsel, extending, indeed, over several years, we announce a new and specific status to be given from time to time to Brethren of our associates in the General Authorities. We announce that some Brethren have been designated as emeritus members of the First Quorum of the Seventy. These Brethren are not being released but will be excused from active service. It is out of consideration for the personal well-being of the individuals, and with deep appreciation for their devoted service, that this designation will be given from time to time to designated members of the General Authorities."


 * Date called as a general authority.
 * Date granted general authority emeritus status.
 * Years as general authority (not including time as an emeritus).