From Deseret News archives:
Succession of LDS president: President Monson likely next leader
With the death of 97-year-old President Gordon B. Hinckley on Sunday, President Monson returns to his place as president of the Quorum of the Twelve, which is now functioning as the church's governing body and will do so until a successor is named. That isn't expected to occur until next week at the earliest, following tributes and funeral services for President Hinckley.
Yet Latter-day Saints don't remain silent about the future when leadership changes are pending, and if the church follows historical precedent, President Monson as senior apostle would be named and sustained by fellow apostles as president of the church.
President Hinckley served nearly 14 years in the First Presidency before becoming president of the church. President Monson has served in that capacity for more than 22 years, first as second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson in 1985 and to President Howard W. Hunter beginning in June 1994, and then as first counselor to President Hinckley since 1995.
Known among church members for his large stature, broad shoulders and personal stories, President Monson seems relatively young at age 80, considering three of the four of the most recent church presidents President Hunter, President Benson and President Hinckley were older than 80 when they took office. Former President Spencer W. Kimball was 78.
Yet when asked by journalists, including Mike Wallace on CBS' "60 Minutes" several years ago about whether and why the church was run by "old men," President Hinckley smiled and replied, "Isn't it wonderful?" outlining the depth of experience that top church leaders have.
President Monson has watched the Internet develop during President Hinckley's administration as a primary medium for information about the church and its mission, along with unprecedented media coverage of the church during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and Mitt Romney's current bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Recent comments
I have been a member for 16 years here in Chile, and I love the...
FROM CHILE | Feb. 1, 2008 at 9:09 a.m.
When I was on my mission in Chile, Elder Perry visited with the...
Anonymous | Jan. 30, 2008 at 11:06 a.m.
It's not a flattering trait for Saints to "chomp at the bit" about...
Disrespect | Jan. 30, 2008 at 10:52 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics? 8:03 p.m.
- Lalas: L.A. is the favorite 8:02 p.m.
- RSL to face former friend 7:56 p.m.
- Cullimore left legacy for Darts 7:55 p.m.
- Utes turn attention to rivalry 7:53 p.m.
- Marine praised at memorial 7:50 p.m.
- Palin tour rekindles 2008 rancor 7:50 p.m.
- Machine explores Big Bang 7:48 p.m.
- McCain: PC played role in shootings 7:46 p.m.
- Fort Hood suspect to remain 7:45 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Christian leaders not backing down
- Murder-suicide in West Jordan
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Hall breaks BYU record with win
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
171 - Lies shatter Utah family
123 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
86 - Was that an exploding meteor?
77
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
UNLV is most interested in two college retreads who were disasters in their...
Next week game plan: Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball!! In case...
If GLENN BECK is a true PATRIOT, he will run for the office of PRESIDENT OF...
This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about! The GOP has truly viable,...
Yeah -- the trip was a huge success. President Obama went groveling to our...
Actually our defense looked pretty darn good against a good AFA defense. AFA...
You guys reminded me of the stripling warriors from the Book of Mormon...
SDSU by 100 points if we had played them this week. Except we/BYU played...
It was the refs fault!!
We really stunk it up on the field tonight. I don't see much hope for next...


