President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the calls of nine new General Authority Seventies and 58 Area Seventies during the Church’s 190th Annual General Conference in April 2020.
Two Canadians were called as Area Seventies to the Sixth Quorum (now the Tenth Quorum) of the Seventy: David C. Stewart, 50, of Lethbridge, Alberta, and David G. LaFrance, 51, of Ajax, Ontario. Both are currently serving as stake presidents.
Area Seventies give part-time voluntary Church service within their assigned geographic areas and support area presidencies who lead their respective areas. Seventies have a special call and ordination to preach the gospel and serve as “special witnesses” of Christ to the world. Seventies, whose offices are mentioned in the New Testament (Luke 10:1), are also known as “travelling ministers.”
Elder David C. Stewart
Elder David C. Stewart was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on February 19, 1970. He married Karri Sue Hill in 1993. They are the parents of four children and reside in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Elder Stewart received a bachelor of science degree in science from the University of Alberta, a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Calgary, and a certificate in family medicine from the University of Western Ontario. Since 1999, he has worked as a family physician.
Elder Stewart has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Japan Osaka Mission, counsellor in an elders quorum presidency, counsellor in a ward Young Men presidency, ward Young Men president, stake Young Men president, elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president.
Elder David G. LaFrance
Elder David G. LaFrance was born in Ontario, Canada, on April 19, 1968. He married Lori Dawn King in 1993. They are the parents of six children and reside in Ajax, Ontario.
Elder LaFrance received a bachelor of commerce degree in business management from Ryerson University and a master of business administration degree from Queen’s University and holds a chartered professional accountant designation. He has provided corporate finance advisory services to small and mid-market private and public companies throughout his career. He is currently managing partner of DGL Consulting.
Elder LaFrance has served in many Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Canada Halifax Mission, ward mission leader, ward Young Men president, ASL unit director, counsellor in a bishopric, bishop, counsellor in a stake presidency, and stake president.
Area Seventies currently serving Canada are as follows:
- Elder Michael R. Murray, North America West Area, Vancouver Co-ordinating Council
- Elder David C. Stewart, North America Central Area, Lethbridge and Calgary Co-ordinating Councils
- Elder James E. Evanson, Canada Church Communication
- Elder John N. Craig, North America Central Area, Winnipeg and Edmonton Co-ordinating Councils
- Elder Michel J. Carter, North America Northeast Area, Montreal Co-ordinating Council
- Elder David G. LaFrance, North America Northeast Area, Toronto Co-ordinating Council
