Quorum of the Twelve Apostles , The Church of Jesus Christ , First Presidency , Russell M. Nelson

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Editor's Note : As the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new Pope, many wonder how a similar process unfolds in other religions. In the case of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the appointment of a new president—considered by its members to be a prophet, seer, and revelator—is not the result of an election or public vote. It is a sacred, ordained, and deeply respected process.

The highest authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the First Presidency , composed of the president and his two counselors. This group of three oversees the overall functioning of the Church in matters of policy, organization, and administration.

First Presidency. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
First Presidency. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The second highest authority in the Church is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles . The apostles serve under the direction of the First Presidency and have significant administrative responsibilities in guiding the progress and development of the Church worldwide. Both the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are considered by Latter-day Saints to be prophets who receive divine revelation and inspiration to lead the Church.

The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The appointment of a new president of the Church occurs in an orderly fashion and, remarkably in today's world, without any internal campaigning for position or rank. It is a process that members view as divinely revealed and completely removed from any form of public election or private negotiation.

Furthermore, it is not only the Church's organizational structure that governs this process. There is also a deeply rooted tradition that personal ambition for leadership positions is inappropriate . Instead, emphasis is placed on personal dignity and a humble willingness to serve when called.

What happens when the president of the Church dies?

  • The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
  • The two counselors in the First Presidency return to their places according to their seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority is determined by the date a person was ordained as an apostle, not by age.
  • The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now with 14 members and led by the most senior apostle, assumes leadership of the Church.
  • The oldest apostle presides over a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve to consider two questions:
    1. Should the First Presidency be reorganized at this time?
    2. Should the Church continue to function with the Quorum of the Twelve presiding?
  • Following the discussion, a formal motion is presented and accepted by the Quorum of the Twelve.
  • If the reorganization is approved, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles unanimously elects the new President of the Church. The new President selects two counselors, and the three form the new First Presidency. Throughout Church history, the Apostle with the longest continuous service has always been called to be President when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
  • Following this reorganization, the second most senior apostle is sustained as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. If he has also been called as a counselor in the First Presidency, then the third most senior apostle serves as president of the Quorum.
  • The President of the Quorum of the Twelve, along with the rest of the apostles, remove the new President of the Church by the laying on of hands.

Since the Church was formally organized on April 6, 1830, there have been 17 presidents, including President Thomas S. Monson, who passed away on January 2, 2018, and President Russell M. Nelson, who was sustained and set apart on January 14, 2018.

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