Area Seventy
An Area Seventy is a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called by the First Presidency to be “especial witnesses” and to assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in “building up the church and regulating all the affairs” and “preaching and administering the gospel” in their assigned areas (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). Area Seventies serve part-time for a period of approximately five years. They have at times been called Area Seventies, Area Authority Seventies, and Area Authorities. The current term is Area Seventies to avoid confusion with General Authority Seventies.
Regional Representatives of the Twelve existed from 1967 until 1995 and were all released and replaced by Area Authority Seventies.
There are currently 12 Quorums of the Seventy, and the First and Second Quorum of the Seventy are composed of General Authority Seventies. The remaining quorums are composed of Area Seventies.[1]
- The need for Area Authority Seventies was anticipated by the Lord when He provided that there be “other seventy, until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it” D&C 107:96. Before 1997 the need for help in administering the Church in all the world was served by two other callings—from 1967 until 1995 by regional representatives of the Twelve and from 1995 until 1997 by Area Authorities. (For more information, see Elder L. Aldin Porter, “A History of the Latter-day Seventy,” Ensign, August 2000, 14–20.)[2]
- Members of the Quorums of the Seventy do not hold priesthood keys as part of their calling as Seventies. But when they receive an assignment from the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the keys they need to accomplish the task are delegated to them. As President Brigham Young (1801–77) explained to the Seventy, “When we send you to build up the kingdom, we will give you the keys, and power and authority” (History of the Church, 7:308). When they are ordained, members of the Seventy do receive apostolic authority to bear witness that Jesus is the Christ and to go forth in all the world as the Twelve may send them.[3]
General Authority Seventies have authority to serve anywhere in the world. Area Seventies' authority is generally limited to the area where they serve.
Beginning in 1984, the Church established areas to direct the work in geographic locations. The Area Presidencies for the United States and Canada will work from Church headquarters; area presidencies outside of the United States and Canada operate from area offices in each assigned area. The Church’s Middle East/North Africa Area is administered from headquarters.
Effective August 1, 2019, the North America Northwest Area and the North America West will combine to become the North America West Area. The Idaho Area and North America Central Area will become the North America Central Area. And the Utah North Area, Utah Salt Lake City Area, and Utah South Area will combine to become the Utah Area.
The former Europe and Europe East areas were realigned in April 2022, resulting in Europe Central, Europe North, and Europe East areas. With realignment and addition of a third Europe area, the Church now has 23 total areas — six that cover the United States and Canada and the remaining 17 outside of those two North American countries.[4]
All members of the area presidencies are General Authority Seventies or Area Seventies — there are five Area Seventies among the total 23 area presidents and 46 counselors, including the three who comprise the Europe East Area presidency.
After their service has concluded, Area Seventies are released. Some are called to serve full-time as General Authority Seventies and serve in either the First or Second Quorums.
