Highland Village resident Gary M. Riding has been called to serve as an Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The announcement was made on April 2, 2026, during the leadership session of the Church’s worldwide general conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Elder Riding was among 91 Area Seventies called worldwide, including three from the DFW area alone.
Area Seventies provide part-time, voluntary service within their assigned geographic areas. They help train and support local leaders, teach congregations, and strengthen Church programs. The role traces its origins to biblical times, when Moses invited seventy elders to assist in ministering to the people. The organization continued during the ministry of Jesus Christ and remains part of the Church’s leadership structure today.
Elder Riding will serve in the Church’s US Southwest Area, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas. The assignment will involve frequent travel to meet with Church leaders, missionaries, and members, particularly as Elder Riding
presides over stake conferences and other meetings in these areas.
Elder Riding and his wife, Melissa, initially moved to Highland Village from California 30 years ago and have raised their family of seven children in this area. The Riding family has expanded and now includes two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and three
grandchildren.
Elder Riding graduated with a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University and went on to earn an M.B.A. from UC Berkeley. Though now retired, Elder Riding spent his career in senior executive roles, predominantly in the wireless telecommunications
industry, including at Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Samsung.
Elder and Sister Riding recently returned from serving together as mission leaders for three years in the Indiana, Indianapolis mission. Prior to serving as a mission president,
Elder Riding served as a bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, mission president, stake presidency counselor, and stake president, among many other callings.
A longtime member of Elder Riding’s stake, Laurette Walton, stated: “Gary Riding is such a remarkable instructor and has a true gift with words. I have always loved hearing him speak because of his ability to make his point come alive in a way that is interesting, relatable, memorable, and actionable. One of my favorites was when he challenged us to pray each morning to know who we could serve that day—with love— and then report back that night in our prayers. He promised us that if we did that, we would know who needed our service and love. I am not perfect at doing this, but when I do, I always feel prompted with a name/names sometime during that day. I will be forever grateful he taught this important Christ-like principle and have never forgotten it. His teachings have been impactful and life-changing for me.”
Elder Riding testifies: “I’m most grateful for the opportunity to continue my ministry across the Southwest as a witness of Jesus Christ, the living loving God who will bless us as we turn to Him as our Savior and Redeemer. His gospel He taught 2000 years ago is still vibrant, relevant and powerful in bringing peace and joy in our modern world.
As one of his disciples, I also look forward to connecting with believers in other faith traditions to promote kindness, peace, and understanding locally in our communities across North Texas.”