The Evolution of Apostolic Seniority: Timeline of Lds Succession Rules Explained
By James H. Sterling
When the President of the Church dies, institutional authority resets through a precise administrative sequence.
First, the First Presidency dissolves immediately. The counselors who served alongside the deceased leader step down from their administrative appointments. If those counselors were apostles prior to entering the First Presidency, they return to their exact place in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles based on their original date of ordination.
Second, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles assumes administrative authority over the entire organization. The senior apostle, serving as the President of the Quorum, directs church affairs.
Third, the Quorum convenes in the Salt Lake Temple. There are historically two theoretical paths available to the council: continue administering the church as a collective Twelve, or reorganize the First Presidency. In practice, the Quorum has reorganized without extended delay in every transition since the late 19th century.
A motion is raised, seconded, and passed by unanimous vote. The senior apostle is sustained as President of the Church, selects two counselors, and the next-in-line apostle becomes President of the Quorum. If the second-most senior apostle serves as a counselor in the new First Presidency, the third apostle in line is sustained as Acting President of the Quorum.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
