The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints named BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway as the Area Authority Seventy for Hawaii and California during the second session of the recently concluded 174th annual worldwide conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
President Shumway, who now serves as a member of the Church's Fifth Quorum of the Seventy, has already assumed his new ecclesiastical responsibilities counseling stake presidents, helping with reorganizations and speaking at stake conferences in his assigned area.
"He has four assignments already, starting this Sunday in San Bernardino, Calif., and the following week in the Laie North Stake conference," said Carolyn Shumway, who returned from Salt Lake City with her husband on April 5. "He will also stay on as president of BYU-Hawaii. All Area Authority Seventies have jobs."
"This means we have to be larger and more efficient with our time, and become more worthy," Sister Shumway said, pointing out that the wives of Area Authority Seventies only go along with their husbands when assigned.
till choked with emotion, she said it was "hard for me to describe" her feelings when Elder Shumway was first called. "I cried, and along with the tears there was an instant feeling of gratitude, first for the Savior, and then for the good life he has lived. That's what burst into my heart."
On March 3, Sister Shumway joined her husband when he was set apart by Elder Robert D. Hales of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, assisted by Elder Merrill J. Bateman, a member of The First Quorum of the Seventy and the immediate past president of BYU in Provo, Utah who worked closely with President Shumway in that capacity.
"It wouldn't have been possible for President Shumway to take on this calling at this time if it weren't for his supportive 'ohana' at the university," Sister Shumway added. "How grateful we are to the wonderful people here and in the whole community."