Elder Ozani Farias

General Authority Seventy

Praying about challenging decisions became foundational to Elder Ozani Farias from a young age. Elder Farias prayed after he met the missionaries at age 15. He prayed about a full-time mission, education, marriage, and employment opportunities.

And even when the path was not clear, he knew what he had to do.

“God always comes first,” he said. “Serve Him first. We have seen big blessings from doing this.”

Following promptings from the Holy Ghost has never led him and his wife astray, he said. “I have learned the power of personal revelation. God talks to His children. And God has a plan for us.”

Ozani Barboza Marques Farias was born in Recife, Brazil, on October 19, 1969, to José Osanã Farias and Severina Barbosa Marques. He and his wife, Giovanna de Medeiros Prata Farias, were sealed in the São Paulo Brazil Temple on January 18, 1994. They have three children.

Elder Farias earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Catholic University of Pernambuco, a postgraduate degree in finance from the University of Pernambuco, and a master of business administration from the Getulio Vargas Foundation. He has worked for the Church in different positions, including as a financial manager, human resources manager, and most recently as the director of temporal affairs for the Brazil Area.

Elder Farias is currently serving as mission president of the Georgia Atlanta Mission. He has also served as a stake presidency counselor, stake clerk, high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, and Primary teacher.