SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is on the brink of a significant leadership transition following the death of President Russell M. Nelson over the weekend. Former Utah Supreme Court Justice Dallin H. Oaks is anticipated to be named the next president.
The announcement of Oaks as Nelson's successor is a procedural formality rooted in the church's established leadership hierarchy. The church will not officially confirm the new president until after Nelson's funeral on October 7.
The current leadership is structured as follows: the president, accompanied by two counselors, forms the First Presidency, supported by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This council, all of whom are male in accordance with church practices, plays a critical role in policy-making and the church’s various business interests.
To ensure continuity, the longest-serving member of the Quorum of the Twelve typically ascends to the presidency. This tradition, instituted following internal disputes in 1889 after the death of the church's third president, John Taylor, has been upheld consistently. Nelson, who served as president for over seven years, passed away at the age of 101.
As the church prepares for its bi-annual general conference this weekend, the First Presidency has dissolved, with Oaks now heading the Quorum of the Twelve.
The president of the church holds the titles of prophet, seer, and revelator, leading the organization through divine guidance and overseeing a vast range of church programs and properties, which are not publicly detailed. The church's financial portfolio, however, is substantial, reportedly at $58 billion.
Oaks’ eventual appointment will not only shape church leadership but could also influence its direction as he selects his two counselors—potentially filling an ongoing vacancy from Nelson’s administration.
Women, while holding significant roles in running programs for women and girls through their respective organizations, remain positioned beneath the male-dominated hierarchy of church leadership.
In this critical moment of transition, the future leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led by Oaks, will continue to cultivate a global faith that serves over 17 million members worldwide.
The announcement of Oaks as Nelson's successor is a procedural formality rooted in the church's established leadership hierarchy. The church will not officially confirm the new president until after Nelson's funeral on October 7.
The current leadership is structured as follows: the president, accompanied by two counselors, forms the First Presidency, supported by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This council, all of whom are male in accordance with church practices, plays a critical role in policy-making and the church’s various business interests.
To ensure continuity, the longest-serving member of the Quorum of the Twelve typically ascends to the presidency. This tradition, instituted following internal disputes in 1889 after the death of the church's third president, John Taylor, has been upheld consistently. Nelson, who served as president for over seven years, passed away at the age of 101.
As the church prepares for its bi-annual general conference this weekend, the First Presidency has dissolved, with Oaks now heading the Quorum of the Twelve.
The president of the church holds the titles of prophet, seer, and revelator, leading the organization through divine guidance and overseeing a vast range of church programs and properties, which are not publicly detailed. The church's financial portfolio, however, is substantial, reportedly at $58 billion.
Oaks’ eventual appointment will not only shape church leadership but could also influence its direction as he selects his two counselors—potentially filling an ongoing vacancy from Nelson’s administration.
Women, while holding significant roles in running programs for women and girls through their respective organizations, remain positioned beneath the male-dominated hierarchy of church leadership.
In this critical moment of transition, the future leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led by Oaks, will continue to cultivate a global faith that serves over 17 million members worldwide.
