The First Presidency has just announced new area leadership assignments, effective August 1, 2023. These changes will affect various Area Presidencies around the world.
For example, Elder Evan A. Schmutz, who is currently serving as the First Counselor in the Utah Area, has been assigned to serve as the new President of the North America Southwest Area. Elder Ian S. Ardern, who is the current Second Counselor in the Church’s Africa Central Area, will soon become President of the Africa Central Area. Elder Michael John U. Teh will serve as the new Second Counselor in the Asia Area presidency. Elder Brian K. Taylor, the Central America Area’s current President, will serve as the new Second Counselor for the Utah Area. And Elder Valeri V. Cordón, current First Counselor in the North America West Area, will soon serve as the First Counselor in the Caribbean Area.
You can see the current list of area leadership assignments here and compare it to this complete list of the newly announced area leadership assignments, effective August 1, 2023.
The Church currently has 23 designated areas around the world—6 areas in the United States and Canada, and 17 more outside those two countries.
Church Newsroom reports that there are no changes coming to the Presidency of the Seventy. The presidency has been serving together since August 2021.
