While mission president Fyans oversaw a shift from most branches in Uruguay and Paraguay being led by full-time missionaries to having local men lead them. Fyans also served as the coordinator for the area conferences in Manchester, England; Mexico City; Munich, Germany; and Stockholm, Sweden. General authority In 1974, Fyans became an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He held this position until 1976, when the position of Assistant to the Twelve was discontinued. At this time, Fyans remained a general authority and was transferred to the First Quorum of the Seventy. He served in the latter position until 1989, when he was given general authority emeritus status. From 1976 to 1985, he was a member of the Presidency of the Seventy; from 1983 to 1985, he was the senior member of the presidency. For part of 1978, Fyans worked as the Executive Director of the Genealogy Department of the church. Fyans served for a time as president of the South America South Area of the church. He was released as one of the presidents of the seventy to take on this assignment. He also served as president of the Utah North and Utah Central Areas of the church. Fyans became the president of the St. George Utah Temple in 1992. He died at his home in Salt Lake City. References External links Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: J. Thomas Fyans 1918 births 2008 deaths 20th-century Mormon missionaries American Mormon missionaries in Paraguay American Mormon missionaries in Uruguay American Mormon missionaries in the United States American general authorities (LDS Church) Assistants to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Latter Day Saints from Idaho Latter Day Saints from Utah Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy (LDS Church) Mission presidents (LDS Church) People from Bingham County, Idaho People from Midvale, Utah Presidents of the Seventy (LDS Church) Regional representatives of the Twelve Religious leaders from Idaho Temple presidents and matrons (LDS Church)