stevenson became a member of the lds church's first quorum of the seventy at the april 2008 general conference. during his time in the seventy, stevenson served both as a counselor and as president of the church's asia north area, based in tokyo, japan. on march 31, 2012, he was released from the first quorum of the seventy and sustained as the church's presiding bishop. stevenson was released as presiding bishop six days after he was sustained to the quorum of the twelve and was succeeded by gérald caussé.