Well today I gave the lesson in Deacon's quorum and I learned some things about presidential succession that were very interesting to me, so I thought I'd share. Page references are from the church history religion manual.
- Spring of 1844, Joseph Smith is impressed that something is going to happen, so he hastens to get the Q12 their endowments before the Nauvoo temple is complete. This ensures all priesthood keys are in the quorum "now if they kill me you have got all the keys and all the ordinances and you can confer them upon others, and the hosts of Satan will not be able to tear down the kingdom as fast as you will be able to build it up." pps 273-274
- September 1898 -- Wilford Woodruff passes away and Lorenzo Snow is visited by the Savior in the salt lake temple. He is instructed to immediately reorganize the first presidency. This ends the practice of 2 to 3 years before reorganization. Interestingly enough, President Snow only lives 3 more years. What type of problems and uncertainty might have come about if he had died before reorganization of the first presidency? The Savior directs this church! pps 452-453
- April 5, 1900 -- Apostolic seniority clarified. In a meeting in the salt lake temple with the first presidency and Quorum of the twelve, some things are decided: The date a person enters the quorum of the 12 decides his seniority; upon death of the President, the counselors resume their place in the Quorum according to this seniority. Interesting fact: Brigham Young Jr. was ordained an apostle before Joseph F. Smith, but entered the Quorum of the 12 a year after him. Without this clarification, in 1901 Brigham Young Jr. would have become our 6th president. pg 453
Have a great week!
--Dave
3 comments:
Thanks for the interesting info. What a crazy couple of days. I was just thinking if Pres. Monson lives to be as old as Pres. Hinckley, he'd be our Prophet for the next 17 years. I'm sure things will change alot in that amount of time. When can we play games? Hope to see you guys soon.
Tanna
Michelle!!!!!!!!! I can't BELIEVE you found my blog ... that's so perfect! I've had so much fun going through yours ... your little family is SO cute! Sammy is so perfect & adorable ... look at all that dark hair! :) It seems things are going well for you guys ... I'm so happy for you! I'm WAY excited to keep in touch this way ... tell Dave "hi"!
Ok for a minute I was thinking presidential succession as in the president of the US. Bless my heart . . . Thanks for the cool info Dave!
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