Two Area Seventies Sustained at the October 2025 General Conference Leadership Session

At the general conference leadership session on Thursday, October 2, 2025, two new Area Seventies were announced and presented for a sustaining vote.

Sixth Quorum of the Seventy (Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico Areas)

Bhanu K. Hiranandani, 50, Caracas, Venezuela; owner, Gandhi International; currently serving as bishopric second counselor of the Caurimare Ward; former bishop, stake presidency counselor, stake president, and Area Seventy; wife: Digna; three children.

Fernando Vivas, 48, Caracas, Venezuela; regional director, Seminaries and Institutes of Religion; currently serving as president of the Valencia Venezuela Los Sauces Stake; former bishopric counselor, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, mission presidency counselor, and mission president; wife: Dariana; three children.

Area Seventies are leaders of 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 (Doctrine and Covenants 107:25, 34, 38). They act under the keys and direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Area Seventies are called and set apart to serve in specific geographical areas but may also be assigned to serve in other areas as needed. They are not called to full-time service and typically serve for five years.

Though all Seventies have equal authority, some are designated as General Authorities and others are designated as Area Seventies.