New Area Seventies for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were named today, just ahead of the Church’s twice yearly worldwide general conference.
Among those called were two men from the Pacific Area of the Church, which includes New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and the island nations and territories of the South Pacific.
Jared V. Ormsby from Christchurch, New Zealand, and Wayne E. Maurer from Cedar Creek, Australia were called by the First Presidency of the Church to be “especial witnesses” who bear record of the name of Jesus Christ and teach the gospel throughout the Pacific Area.
The first mention of the Seventy is the Old Testament instruction to Moses and “seventy of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 24:1).
The Lord told Moses to use the Seventy so that he need not bear his burdens alone: “Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel … that they may stand there with thee” (Numbers 11:16).
Working under the direction of the Pacific Area Presidency, Elder Ormsby and Elder Maurer will assist the Quorum of the Twelve in building up and regulating the Church in their area. They also work and counsel together with local Church leaders to help them with their responsibilities.
Elder Ormsby, 44, is a barrister and self-employed. He is currently serving as young single adult adviser in the Church in Christchurch. He was a former high councillor, mission presidency counsellor and stake president. He is married to Stephanie. They have three children.
Elder Maurer, 65, was released as president of the Philippines Missionary Training Centre recently. He was a former bishopric counsellor, branch presidency counsellor, stake presidency counsellor and mission president. He is married to Tracy. They have four children.