Do you ever wonder how Mormons choose a new prophet? When the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dies, some may wonder how the next president, or the prophet of the church, is chosen. Here is what happens.
The Process of Choosing the Next Prophet
After the First Presidency, consisting of the president of the church and his two counselors, the highest governing body of the church is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They have each been called of God through prior revelation to the prophet.
These apostles as a group all hold the priesthood and the authority needed to run the church.
It is organized according to seniority of how long each member has been an apostle rather than each member’s age.
When a prophet dies, the first presidency as it was previously organized is dissolved, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles automatically assumes leadership of the church.
Usually 7-10 days after the death of the prophet (long enough for a funeral and other needed arrangements) the Quorum of the Twelve meet in council, and a formal motion is made.
If they decide to reorganize and call a new prophet and counselors, the Quorum unanimously selects a new prophet, who is historically the longest-serving apostle.
The new prophet selects two apostles to be his “counselors,” and the three of them preside over the church in what is known as the “First Presidency.”
The apostle who has served the second-longest then becomes the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or if he is serving in the First Presidency, then the third-longest serving apostle will become acting-president of that Quorum.
All of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then lay their hands on the new prophet’s head, and offer a prayer, giving him a blessing and the needed priesthood authority, “setting him apart” formally as the leader and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Prophet Is Chosen Through Revelation
When it comes to how a Mormon prophet is chosen or how the LDS Church chooses a new prophet, the process is distinctive. It’s an orderly system that completely avoids any internal campaigning for position, which is quite remarkable in today’s world. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view this as a divinely revealed process, free from any electioneering, whether public or private.
Beyond the Church’s organizational structure, there’s a strong tradition that personal ambition for leadership at any level is considered inappropriate. The focus is instead on an individual’s personal worthiness and a humble willingness to serve if asked.
What Does The Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Do?
Serving as God’s Spokesperson
This prophet acts as God’s spokesperson on Earth. He’s the designated individual through whom God communicates His will and messages to all of us in the present day, providing divine direction and counsel for the Church and for the entire world.
For instance, our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, announced a significant policy change regarding temple recommends in October 2018. He emphasized the sacred nature of temples and the need for greater spiritual preparation. Members understood this as a direct message from God to improve their focus on temple worship.
The prophet also provides divine guidance for the entire Church. He receives revelation and inspiration to direct its policies, doctrines, and programs, ensuring the organization aligns with divine purposes. President Nelson initiated the “home-centered, Church-supported” gospel learning emphasis in 2018, which led to a revised Sunday meeting schedule and new curriculum materials. This guidance aimed to strengthen families and individual gospel study.
Teaching Gospel Truths
Another key role is teaching gospel truths. The prophet expounds upon and clarifies eternal principles and truths of the gospel, helping members understand and apply them in their lives, often emphasizing neglected or misunderstood doctrines. Throughout his ministry, President Nelson has frequently taught about the importance of covenant keeping, emphasizing that making and keeping sacred covenants with God is central to eternal progression and happiness.
Calling People to Repentance and Improvement
He also calls people to repentance and improvement. He encourages members and others to turn away from sin, make positive changes, and strive for a higher spiritual standard, often issuing calls to action that challenge individuals to deepen their commitment. President Nelson has repeatedly invited members to gather Israel on both sides of the veil through temple and family history work, and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ, often asking them to undertake specific spiritual challenges like abstaining from social media for a period to focus on the Lord.
Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ
A fundamental part of a prophet’s mission is bearing witness of Jesus Christ. He offers a personal and authoritative testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of the world, testifying of His divine sonship, Atonement, and Resurrection. In every General Conference address, President Nelson consistently bears a powerful and unwavering witness of Jesus Christ, affirming His central role in God’s plan and encouraging all to follow Him.
Receiving Continuing Revelation and Additional Scripture
Like ancient prophets, he may also receive new revelations that are canonized as scripture, adding to the body of sacred texts, or providing a deeper understanding of existing scripture. While less frequent in modern times, the capacity for this continuing revelation remains. While modern additions to the standard works are rare, prophets have provided foundational revelations, such as Joseph Smith’s translation of the Book of Mormon or the continuing stream of inspired counsel that guides the Church today, understood as ongoing revelation.
Interpreting Scripture and Prophecy
The prophet also has the spiritual discernment to interpret scripture and prophecy. He clarifies the meaning of existing scriptures and can understand and explain future events as revealed by God, offering context and application for the present time. Prophets often provide clarity on scriptural passages that might be confusing or misinterpreted, offering insight into their application in contemporary life. They also sometimes speak about the signs of the times and the Lord’s Second Coming, preparing members for future events.
Providing Practical Counsel for Daily Living
Much of what a prophet teaches is practical counsel for daily living, tailored to the current challenges and conditions faced by individuals and families, covering topics from marriage and parenting to financial prudence and mental well-being. President Nelson has given counsel on managing digital media use, strengthening family relationships, and finding joy amidst life’s challenges, offering specific actions members can take to improve their lives.
Guiding the Church’s Global Operations
As the President of a worldwide church, he also guides the Church’s global operations, overseeing its extensive humanitarian efforts, missionary work, and the building of temples and other facilities around the globe. President Nelson has overseen a significant acceleration in temple building announcements, reflecting a divinely inspired push to bring temple blessings to more members worldwide, including recent announcements for new temples in places like Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Serving as a Moral Compass
Finally, the prophet serves as a moral compass. He’s a leading voice on moral issues, advocating for righteousness and upholding divine standards in a changing world, often speaking out on social issues from an eternal perspective. President Nelson has consistently spoken about the sanctity of marriage and family, the importance of religious freedom, and the need for greater civility and respect in public discourse, providing a clear moral framework for members and others.
