To the church:
1. In response to his request, R. Paul Davis is released from his responsibilities as a member of the Presiding Bishopric and as a counselor to the presiding bishop effective May 26, 2011. This action is taken to provide Paul more opportunity to focus on family needs. With the Spirit’s assurance regarding this decision, I fully support and commend Paul’s intent to make his family’s needs his highest priority. Because this is an executive decision by the president of the church, no further action is required.
2. Brother Davis has served in the Presiding Bishopric and as a counselor to two presiding bishops since his initial call to this leadership role in 2005. As a member of the Presiding Bishopric, he demonstrated exceptional skill in his ability to understand and communicate complex financial matters and trends. His ability to carefully analyze questions and propose workable solutions served the work of the Presiding Bishopric and the church well. His integrity as a faithful and prudent trustee of the church’s temporal resources is fully evident. Also, Paul’s creative and incisive theological perspectives greatly enriched the deliberations of the church’s leadership councils.
3. On behalf of the church and Paul’s colleagues in the World Church Leadership Council, I want to thank Paul for his ministry in the Presiding Bishopric. We wish him well as he continues to express his unique ministerial gifts as a bishop. Paul may be assured, through the confirming witness of the Spirit, that his contributions in the Presiding Bishopric were not only needed during the time he served, but will continue to bless the church because of the lasting quality of his service.
In the Peace of Christ,
Stephen M. Veazey
President of the Church