Choosing a Prophet

In Mormonism, after a Mormon prophet's death the process of choosing who will be the next prophet is known as the Order of Succession. The Lord Himself chooses who will be the president of His church. He does so in a revealed, orderly fashion through the line of succession.

In the Lord's plan, the senior apostle, the one who has been in the quorum the longest, stands next in line to become president. In this way, the president will be a man who has served many years in the leading councils of the Church, knows the responsibilities associated with the office, and is thoroughly prepared to lead the Church when the Lord calls him. For example, current President Gordon B. Hinckley served in the First Presidency for 14 years and prior to that served as an apostle for 20 years. Another benefit of the Order of Succession is that when a prophet dies there is no confusion, waiting, or wondering concerning whom the mantle of authority will pass to.

In the early days of the Mormon Church, when the system was new, there was some question of succession. After the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, a number of men claimed the authority had passed to them. Ultimately, the vast majority followed Brigham Young and the Apostles (to whom Joseph Smith had given all the keys of authority prior to his death). Those who did not formed such groups as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS now Church of Christ).

When a prophet dies, the First Presidency is dissolved and the counselors take their places (according to seniority) in the Quorum, which becomes the leading council of the Church. All of the members of the Quorum will meet together in a solemn assembly to reorganize the First Presidency. As revelation dictates, the new president will be sustained and then ordained by the apostles and the new president will choose his counsellors. Later, another apostle will be called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

For an in depth look at the Order of Succession see Brent L. Top and Lawrence R. Flake's article “‘The Kingdom of God Will Roll On’: Succession in the Presidency,” from the Aug. 1996 Ensign.

The Lord's Hand in the Order of Succession

It is truly the Lord who calls a man to be prophet and President of the Mormon Church. The Lord controls who His president will be in the following ways:

• The Lord determines who is called to be an apostle and when they will be called. This includes who will be ordained first if two men are called at the same time (See articles on Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball).

• The Lord can choose when an apostle will die, thus altering seniority.

• The Lord, through revelation, established the system.