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Succession of LDS president: President Monson likely next leader

President Monson will make a great leader for the Church, and I believe he'll carry on the tremendous growth that was seen under Presideny Hinckley's leadership.

To those who don't think he will be another great one, the man does not make the calling, but the calling makes the man. He'll do just fine and will be a great ambassador to the church. I look forward to many, many years ahead with him leading the Church.

I couldn't agree more with Joseph M.

President Hinckley was such a wonderful prophet and we will miss him greatly. The transition should be an easy one though as we know and love President Monson, and he will carry on where President Hinckley left off.

Although we are saddened on the passing of our dear Prophet Hinckley, we will celebrate his great achievements and lifelong commitment to the gospel. Pres. Monson will be our spiritual leader who has sustained righteousness and lived his life commiting himself to the Lord's work. Pres. Monson spoke at San Diego Temple's Devotional pronouncing an Apostolic blessing upon the temple workers attending. A very spiritual life changing experience to have one of the Lord's choice servant pronounce such blessings.

Good comments... I think that President Hinckley was obviously called of God to carry out His work in the time that he served. As the world has progressively gotten worse, the church has steadily grown and progressed. As one great era has ended, another greater era is about to begin. It doesn't matter "who" is the next man for the job, so long as he's called of God. I am very grateful for what President Hinckley has done, and excited to see where we all go from here. President Monson will definately serve with all his heart, might, mind, and strength.

As a very new convert in 1974 I sat at an Apostle's feet in the small Ramah Chapel in Johannessburg when President Monson visit South Africa. My brother-in-law had not yet accepted the gospel, but was photographed with President Monson whose arm was around Allan's shoulders. Allan has served faithfully since his and baptism two years later. None of us have any doubt at all that President Monson loves the Lord and will lead His Church with his love for the Saviour and his love for all of God's children that we have felt from this Gentle Giant.

I have always looked forward to when President Monson would be President but right now am still so very sad at President Hinkley's passing. What an awe-inspiring man. His shoes will be hard to fill. I've lived through many Presidents and each one has uniquely and so spiritually fit the bill. They also seem to get stronger as the world gets more wicked. I'm sure President Monson will handle the position beautifully.

It would be fun to see what Packer would do.

My Father, Edwin Shipp, and President Monson were friends from their youth in Salt Lake City. Being an electrical contractor, Ed was called upon to keep Deseret News Press up and running, and thereby worked closely with Bro. Monson. As dad grew older, he asked if President Monson would speak at his funeral, to which Elder Monson agreed. Each time he saw him in later life, dad would remind President Monson of his commitment. When dad passed away 3 years ago, President Monson came to comfort my mother, be with the family at the Family Prayer, and be one of speakers at the service. It was a special time for all of us.

I mention this simply to say that our family has known President Monson from his youth, and revere him as a truly sentitive, humorous, kind, compassionate to the fullest, spiritual, dedicated, and noble a man as walks the planet. We with all who know him love him, respect him for his integrity, and regard him as truly blessed, called, and anointed of God.

President Monson as well as any of them will be great in the following of the Lords teachings as the Prophet. Even the new ones that were called by the First President, we sustained to follow in counsel as well as sustaining them in whom ever is called to serve. Rather it be the president or the acting president or the youngest called, we will follow and listen to the counsel given if we are true to the faith we believe in. Trust in the Lord and prayer will give us the answers needed.

With every other active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I will sustain Thomas S. Monson as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of The Church, with ALL my heart. And why not? Age? Ability? Vigor? Devotion, diligence, faith, knowledge, testimony? No one can quite do what Pres. Hinckley has done, but Brother Monson will do just fine - and then some!

President Monson is a great man. I have loved his spirit for many years. One thing that many of us need to realize is that fully one third of the Church membership today have known only one President of The Church - Gordon B. Hinkley. It is a first time experience for many of them to witness the marvel that is the succession to the office of President of the Church. Let us all honor the legacy of President Hinkley by being obedient and faithful in following the Saviour and His new earthly representative President Monson.

It will be great to see who it will be. But, in sucession, President Brigham Young was actually 2nd counselor and not president of the quorum. Yet, he was the 2nd Prophet called of God in this dispensation. So as Matt stated, it could be President Packer, or any one that the Lord calls.

whom the Lord calls he qualifies. Pres Monson will change with the calling.

From a non-Mormon friend--please explain the process by which a new prophet is chosen. Does LDS doctrine teach that the process is built on a biblical model? Are there ever tensions or concerns in the community about a particular prophet's fitness? I seem to remember a stir when Ezra Taft Benson became LDS president b/c of his political affiliations. thanks for any feedback.

"Historical precedent" has nothing to do with the succession in the presidency of The Church. Either Elder Monson is the senior apostle and holds precedence to all priesthood keys, or he loses his seniority in the quorum and the next senior apostle fills those shoes. Thus, Elder Monson is no longer the senior apostle and Elder Packer is.

"Historical precedent" is a very poor choice of words. Brigham Young didn't lead the Church because of "Historical precedent". He led the Church because the Twelve received the Keys of the Kingdom from Joseph and Hyrum Smith in "Joseph's Red Brick Store" in the early part of 1844, with Brigham Young presiding as the senior member of the quorum.

There is an unbroken chain of presidential succession from Joseph Smith to Gordon B. Hinckley and an unbroken chain of apostolic succession from Joseph Smith to Quentin L. Cook.

Don�t put a thread in the Priesthood of God.

I was wondering, when is the president a prophet. Is he like on standby until called on, is he active or potential. Can he speak for God at all times or only when God speaks to him. Can he see God. Is the president the only one who can talk with God.

Oops. It now says "one of the youngest." I suppose that is broad enough to be accurate.

All of the Twelve are "prophets, seers, and revelators."

And anyone can talk to God... it's called "prayer."

President Monson will be a wonderful leader of and for the Church. The most important thing for me is knowing that the next President will be a man called by God.