Talk:M. Russell Ballard

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[edit] Is the term "Area Authority Seventy" still used in the LDS Church?

Snocrates explained in reverting a change from "Area Authority Seventy" that the reason for the change was the Church no longer uses the terminology. I haven't been able to find anything since 2005 to indicate that the term is still used in the LDS Church, nor have I found any explanation for the change in terminology from "Area Authority Seventy" to "Area Seventy." Was there an official Church statement from the First Presidency to indicate the reason for the change? Is this term still used? In all the latest sources I've looked at, it seems to have been discontinued without explanation. I reverted the change because of my confusion, but would not be opposed to reverting it back, and may do so anyways. Thanks for helping to clear up my confusion.--Jgstokes-We can disagree without being disagreeable (talk) 04:04, 27 December 2007 (UTC)

The 3-word term has been discontinued and the most recent sources from the LDS Church use only "area seventy". The 2006 Church Handbook of Instruction, Book 1: Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics, p. 1, under the heading "Area Administration" and the subheading "Area Seventies", says: "Area Seventies serve under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve, the Presidents of the Seventy, and the Area Presidency where they are assigned." The index on p. 191 has entries under "Area Seventies" but no reference to "Area Authority Seventies". In the most recent worldwide conference Gordon Hinckley referred to "Area Seventies" in the sustainings part of the conference: see Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Sustaining of Church Officers,” Ensign, Nov 2007, p. 4. The change is mentioned at Seventy (Latter Day Saints) but there's no information on when or why it happened. Snocrates 04:20, 27 December 2007 (UTC)