The Asia Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was reorganized on August 1, 2025. Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai continues to serve as Area President, with Elder Kelly R. Johnson remaining as first counselor. Elder David L. Buckner has been called to serve as the new second counselor, following the reassignment of Elder Michael John U. Teh and his wife, Grace, to the Asia North Area.
Elder Buckner was sustained as a General Authority during the April 2024 general conference. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Tenth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Northeast Area. He and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of five children and raised their family in New York.
As General Authority Seventies of the Church, Elders Tai, Johnson and Buckner will travel extensively to minister to members, leaders, and missionaries across the Asia Area, which encompasses 22 countries and territories.
For the Area Presidency, serving in such a vast and diverse region that is home to half of the world’s population is seen as a huge responsibility as well as a profound privilege. They expressed their deep love for the people of Asia and their strong commitment to the Lord’s work in this part of the world.
“We love the people of Asia,” Elder Tai shared. “This region is filled with individuals and families of remarkable potential and promise. We have witnessed the transformative power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in many lives and want to help all to know Him, accept Him as their personal Savior, and thus live a life that is filled with hope, peace, love, and joy.”