SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A former Utah Supreme Court justice is expected to be named the next president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the recent death of President Russell M. Nelson.
Announcing his successor — Dallin H. Oaks — is largely a formality because the church has a well-defined leadership hierarchy that has governed it for decades. Nothing will change in the leadership body until some time after Nelson’s funeral, which is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Here’s a closer look at how the leadership structure is arranged and how new members are chosen:
### Who leads the church?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church, is led by a president and his two top counselors, together forming what is known as the First Presidency. These three leaders usually come from a governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which sits just below the First Presidency. The Quorum helps set church policy while overseeing the faith’s business interests.
Together, these 15 top officials are all men in accordance with the church’s all-male priesthood.
### How are the presidents chosen?
The longest-tenured member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the new president in a tradition established more than a century ago. This system ensures a smooth handover of leadership and prevents lobbying internally or publicly.
The succession plan was created in 1889 after nearly two years of debate and some politicking among the apostles following the death of the faith’s third president, John Taylor. Since then, this plan has been carried out without exception.
Nelson, the faith’s oldest-ever president, died Saturday at the age of 101. Per protocol, his successor won’t be formally announced until some time after his funeral next week.
With his death, the First Presidency automatically dissolved, and his two counselors rejoined the Quorum, bringing its number to 14. Until a new president is announced, the Quorum—now led by Oaks—is in charge as the Utah-based faith prepares for its twice-annual general conference in Salt Lake City this weekend.
### What does the president do?
The president of the church is considered a prophet, seer, and revelator who leads the church through divine revelation from God, alongside his two top counselors and members of the Quorum of the Twelve.
He sets policy, interprets doctrine, and manages church programs. In addition, the president oversees the church’s businesses, which include real estate, farms, publishing, life insurance, nonprofits, universities, a Polynesian cultural center in Hawaii, and an upscale open-air shopping mall in Salt Lake City.
Although the church doesn’t disclose or discuss its finances publicly, the latest filings from its investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, Inc., value its portfolio at an estimated $58 billion.
### How long do the presidents serve?
Presidents serve until they die, which is why the length of their tenures varies widely.
– The longest was Brigham Young, who served nearly 30 years in the mid- to late 1800s.
– Other lengthy tenures include Heber J. Grant, who led for nearly 27 years (1918-1945), and David O. McKay, who served for nearly 19 years (1951-1970).
– The shortest tenure was Howard H. Hunter, who served only nine months from 1994 to 1995.
– Hunter and three other presidents served less than five years, including Harold B. Lee, who served an 18-month stint from 1972 to 1973.
Nelson held the position for more than seven years. The two presidents before him, Thomas S. Monson and Gordon B. Hinckley, each had relatively long terms—nearly 10 years and nearly 13 years respectively.
### How are the president’s two counselors chosen?
A new president usually selects his counselors from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Sometimes, they are the same men who served the previous president. If different, the previous counselors return to being members of the Quorum.
Nelson kept Henry B. Eyring as a counselor and elevated Dallin H. Oaks as the other.
It’s important to note that serving as a counselor does not advance someone in line to become the next president. Succession is based solely on seniority within the Quorum.
Oaks, who is 93 years old, joined the Quorum in May 1984, around the same time as Nelson. The next highest seniority after Oaks goes to Jeffrey R. Holland, who is 84.
### How are new Quorum members chosen?
New members can be selected from anywhere within the church, though in modern history, most came from lower-tier leadership councils.
Apostles tend to be older men who have achieved success in professions outside the church. Recent members of the Quorum have included a U.S. State Department official, an accountant for multinational corporations, and a board member of charities, schools, and an enterprise agency.
Under Nelson’s leadership, the church introduced some diversity into its previously all-white leadership panel by appointing the first Latin American apostle and the first apostle of Asian ancestry. These appointments generated excitement among members eager for the top leadership to more closely reflect a religion with over half of its more than 17 million members living outside the U.S.
Once Oaks becomes president and selects his two counselors, the Quorum will likely have one vacancy to fill, creating an opportunity for the new president to leave his mark on the leadership.
### What about women?
The nine highest-ranking women in the church oversee three organizations that run programs for women and girls. These councils exist below several layers of male-only leadership groups.
The president and two counselors who oversee the Relief Society—an organization that runs activities for women—are considered the top female leaders based on the organization’s historical significance within the church.
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As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints transitions leadership following President Nelson’s passing, the established traditions and structured hierarchy ensure continuity in guiding the faith and its global membership.
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