The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (that’s the Mormons to you!), unlike most major religions, is run by a group of laymen, the Council of the Twelve Apostles, all of whom are in line to become President of the C of LDS.
Does anyone know how one gets on the Council of Twelve Apostles?
First, you have to be a direct descendant of Brigham Young. Then, you have to lead an exemplary (by Mormon standards) life, and be very involved with your local ward and stake communities, and from there, you just work your way up the hierarchy. A bit of “divine inspiration” being sent to the higherups in the church along the way can’t hurt.
The Church has two governing bodies – the First Presidency, consisting of the President of the Church and two Counsellors, and the Council of Twelve Apostles.
When a vacancy exists in the Council of the Twelve, the remaining members and the First Presidency meet together to consider names of potential replacements and pray until they reach a decision. People do not “apply” for the position, and normally do not even know that they are under consideration until they are called and asked to accept the position.
The choice is “sustained” by a vote of the membership of the church at the next General Conference, held in April and October of each year.
When the President of the Church dies, the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve (senior in years of service, not age) is selected to be the next President.
Upon preview, I see Ivar’s post. There is no requirement to be a descendant of Brigham Young
Because decisions are made autonomously by individuals or groups in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is highly unlikely for someone to plan a way to occupy any position in the Church except for positions requiring personal initiative (asking a bishop to be recommended to work at a Temple, filling out papers to go on a mission, etc.).
It’s more difficult than becoming Pope, since the Pope is elected while the President of the Church is whoever has been an Apostle for the longest period of time.
Trivia: the Apostle who has served longest second to the President is technically the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The current President is President Thomas S. Monson. However, President Monson is currently the First Counselor in the First Presidency, and so is not part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The third-most senior Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer, is part of the Quorum and, thus, is designated the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
When President Gordon B. Hinckley (the current President of the Church) dies, all Apostles return to the Quorum of Apostles, and the senior-most Apostle will (usually) be ordained as the next President of the Church - so Elder Monson will become President of the Church and Elder Packer will become the President of the Quorum.
One’s ancestry plays no role whatsoever in who becomes what in the Church.
WRS
Wouldn’t it make more sense to have to be a descendent of Joseph Smith, who founded the religion?
Joseph Smith’s descendants, if I recall, went on to create the Reorganized Church of LDS (RLDS), because they felt that the priesthood should stay in his family.
Anyway, as WeRSauron (LOTR?) briefly mentioned there also isn’t a rule that the person who’s been on the Quorum the longest will be selected to be the next President, but that’s almost always how it happens.
You do not have to be a descendant of Brigham Young.
BTW, the RLDS has changed its’ name to Community of Christ.
Are they considered part of the “Mormon family” at this point?
I believe so, but I’m not quite sure.
I don’t think there actually is a president since Timothy Leary died…oh, you said LDS. Never mind.
I’m not sure what you mean by “Mormon family”, but they are not considered part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Haven’t been since they were established. Joseph Smith’s wife Emma felt that her son was to be the next prophet and that the leadership of the church was to continue through descendants of her and Joseph. Joseph III was still a child in 1844 when his father was murdered. The Re-Organized Church wasn’t organized until 1860.
If you mean by “Mormon family” to ask if they consider the Book of Mormon to be scripture, they do.
Oh and the Re-Organized Church is no longer lead by a “Smith”. The leader today is W. Grant McMurray.
In the early days one of the main differences between the two churches (other than following the patrilineal line for prophets) was that after Joseph’s death Emma denied that Joseph had taken plural wives so in the Re-Organized Church they believed that plural marriage was started by Brigham Young and not Joseph Smith, inspite of evidence otherwise.
Oh and the Re-Organized Church is no longer lead by a “Smith” and is called The Community of Christ. The leader today is W. Grant McMurray.
In the early days one of the main differences between the two churches (other than following the patrilineal line for prophets) was that after Joseph’s death Emma denied that Joseph had taken plural wives so in the Re-Organized Church they believed that plural marriage was started by Brigham Young and not Joseph Smith, inspite of evidence otherwise.