First Presidency Announces 2026–2027 Area Leadership Assignments

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has shared the 2026–2027 area leadership assignments and announced changes to enhance support in Area Presidencies for the needs of a growing Church. These changes take effect on August 1, 2026.

Each General Authority Seventy or Area Seventy serves in an Area Presidency. There are no specific counselor designations. The Area President is on the left, marked with an asterisk, with those serving in the Area Presidency shown to the right.

United States Central Area: Elder José A. Teixeira, President; Elder Ricardo P. Giménez; Elder Karl D. Hirst; Elder James O. Fantone.

United States Northeast Area: Elder Robert M. Daines, President; Elder Joni L. Koch; Elder Alan T. Phillips; Elder Kevin J. Hathaway.

United States Southeast Area: Elder Massimo De Feo, President; Elder Aroldo B. Cavalcante; Elder John D. Amos.

United States Southwest Area: Elder Michael A. Dunn, President; Elder Joaquin E. Costa; Elder Sergio R. Vargas; Elder Christian C. Chigbundu.

United States West Area: Elder Takashi Wada, President; Elder Peter M. Johnson; Elder Hugo E. Martínez; Elder Hutch U. Fale.

Utah Area: Elder Brian K. Taylor, President; Elder John A. McCune; Elder Jorge T. Becerra; Elder Thabo Lebethoa.

Africa Central Area: Elder Paul B. Pieper, President; Elder Alfred Kyungu; Elder Christophe G. Giraud-Carrier.

Africa South Area: Elder Carlos A. Godoy, President; Elder Vaiangina Sikahema; Elder Ozani Farias.

Africa West Area: Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, President; Elder Isaac K. Morrison; Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt; Elder D. Martin Goury.

Asia Area: Elder Kelly R. Johnson, President; Elder David L. Buckner; Elder Wan-Liang Wu.

Asia North Area: Elder J. Kimo Esplin, President; Elder Christopher H. Kim; Elder Michael John U. Teh.

Brazil Area: Elder Ciro Schmeil, President; Elder Denelson Silva; Elder Ronald M. Barcellos; Elder B. Corey Cuvelier.

Canada Area: Elder Vern P. Stanfill, President; Elder Matthew L. Carpenter; Elder James E. Evanson.

Caribbean Area: Elder Valeri V. Cordón, President; Elder Hugo Montoya; Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt.

Central America Area: Elder Patricio M. Guiffra, President; Elder Ryan K. Olsen; Elder Gregorio E. Casillas.

Eurasian Area: Elder Aleksandr A. Drachyov, President; Elder Nikolai Ustyuzhaninov; Elder Vladimir N. Astashov. All are Area Seventies.

Europe Central Area: Elder Jack N. Gerard, President; Elder James W. McConkie III; Elder Michael Cziesla.

Europe North Area: Elder Kevin W. Pearson, President; Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis; Elder Paul H. Sinclair.

Mexico Area: Elder Moisés Villanueva, President; Elder Jose L. Alonso; Elder Brik V. Eyre; Elder Jorge M. Alvarado.

Middle East / Africa North Area: Elder Anthony D. Perkins, President; Elder Adilson de Paula Parrella; Elder Edward B. Rowe.

Pacific Area: Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, President; Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi; Elder Hans T. Boom; Elder Matthew J. Eyring.

Philippines Area: Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., President; Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong; Elder Steven D. Shumway.

South America Northwest Area: Elder Juan Pablo Villar, President; Elder Sandino Roman; Elder Steven C. Barlow.

South America South Area: Elder Alan R. Walker, President; Elder Mathias Held; Elder Aaron T. Hall.

There are 24 areas in the Church: six within the United States and 18 outside. Established in 1984, these areas guide the Church’s work worldwide. The Area Presidencies for the United States and the Middle East/Africa North Area operate from Salt Lake City, Utah.

“The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve … in building up the Church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:34).

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12 responses to “First Presidency Announces 2026–2027 Area Leadership Assignments”

  1. Freaky Ratbuster Avatar
    Freaky Ratbuster

    Just what the world needed—more ecclesiastical rearranging! I mean, who doesn’t love a good game of musical chairs with the Area Presidencies? 🎶🚶‍♂️

  2. Looks like the First Presidency is really on it, assigning leaders like it’s a game of musical chairs—can’t wait to see who gets the best seat! 🎶💺

  3. Alley Fiend Avatar
    Alley Fiend

    Leadership changes? Oh joy, just what we needed—more suits in the pews! 🎩 Can’t wait to see how this “enhanced support” translates into actual results. 🙄

  4. Gold 
Bentley Avatar
    Gold Bentley

    Just what we needed—more leaders on the payroll to make sure everything runs as smoothly as a Swiss watch. Cheers to a well-structured game of musical chairs! 🎉

  5. trixie doodle Avatar
    trixie doodle

    So, they’ve shuffled the deck for 2026-2027, eh? Must be a real thrill for those Area Presidents to finally get their moment in the spotlight! 🎉

  6. Mum Mary Avatar

    Looks like the First Presidency is at it again, assigning leaders like it’s a game of musical chairs—hope they brought their best moves for 2026! 🎶🪑

  7. Sweet Bacon Avatar
    Sweet Bacon

    Looks like they finally decided to shake things up a bit, eh? I mean, who knew 2026 could be such an exciting year for area leadership assignments? 🎉

  8. Nice to see the ecclesiastical chessboard getting a makeover for 2026-2027—because we all know nothing screams “leadership” like a game of musical chairs! 🎶😏

  9. wonder lady Avatar
    wonder lady

    So, the First Presidency is shaking things up with new area leaders for 2026-2027—because nothing says “modernization” like a fresh lineup of Elder’s names we can’t pronounce! 😅

  10. dahlia bumble Avatar
    dahlia bumble

    Looks like they’ve really outdone themselves this time, assigning a small army of leaders to tackle a bit of “growing” — I mean, who needs actual growth strategies when you’ve got a dozen titles, right? 😂

  11. the howling swede Avatar
    the howling swede

    Just what we needed—more leadership assignments to spice up our lives! Who knew the Church was running a global game of musical chairs? 😏🎶

  12. Universe Bullet Avatar
    Universe Bullet

    Looks like the First Presidency decided it’s time for a game of musical chairs with the area leadership. Hope they’ve got their passports ready for all that jet-setting! ✈️😂

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