Today I taught a class to new members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We had a lesson prepared from the manual, but after President Monson's death, we decided to switch the lesson plan over to talk about prophets and how new ones are called. Later on, we used this same information as a FHE lesson for our family.
First, we talked about what happens when a prophet dies. I took a picture that was published in the April 2016, Friend magazine and made it into a pictorial explanation of what happens:
First, we talked about what happens when a prophet dies. I took a picture that was published in the April 2016, Friend magazine and made it into a pictorial explanation of what happens:
Then we discussed the information about the process from the church website . You can click on the link to read more, or read a summary below:
"When the president of the Church passes away, the following events take place:
1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
2. The two counselors in the First Presidency revert to their places of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority is determined by the date on which a person was ordained to the Twelve, not by age.
3. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now numbering 14 {or in our case, numbering 13 now, since both Elder Hales and President Monson have passed away} and headed by the senior apostle {that senior apostle currently is President Russell M. Nelson} assumes Church leadership.
4. The senior apostle {President Russell M. Nelson} presides at a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve to consider two alternative propositions:
i. Should the First Presidency be reorganized at this time?
ii. Should the Church continue to function with the Quorum of the Twelve presiding?
5. After discussion, a formal motion is made and accepted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
6. If a motion to reorganize the First Presidency is passed, the Quorum of the Twelve unanimously selects the new president of the Church. The new president chooses two counselors and the three of them become the new First Presidency. Throughout the history of the Church, the longest-serving apostle has always become the president of the Church when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
7. Following the reorganization of the First Presidency, the apostle who has served the second longest {Right now, that is Elder Dallin H. Oaks} is sustained as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve. When the second-longest-serving apostle has also been called into the First Presidency as a counselor, the third-longest-serving apostle becomes acting president of the Twelve.
8. The president of the Quorum of the Twelve, along with the rest of the apostles, sets apart* the new president of the Church through a formal laying on of hands."
And lastly, click on the link to watch a video about President Monson's life . It was wonderful to see a glimpse of what kind of wonderful man we've had leading the church for the last several years and what a blessing it is to live in a day and a time when we have a prophet on the earth!
Meanwhile, here is a quote from President Monson to inspire you this week:
Have a wonderful week!
"When the president of the Church passes away, the following events take place:
1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved.
2. The two counselors in the First Presidency revert to their places of seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Seniority is determined by the date on which a person was ordained to the Twelve, not by age.
3. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, now numbering 14 {or in our case, numbering 13 now, since both Elder Hales and President Monson have passed away} and headed by the senior apostle {that senior apostle currently is President Russell M. Nelson} assumes Church leadership.
4. The senior apostle {President Russell M. Nelson} presides at a meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve to consider two alternative propositions:
i. Should the First Presidency be reorganized at this time?
ii. Should the Church continue to function with the Quorum of the Twelve presiding?
5. After discussion, a formal motion is made and accepted by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
6. If a motion to reorganize the First Presidency is passed, the Quorum of the Twelve unanimously selects the new president of the Church. The new president chooses two counselors and the three of them become the new First Presidency. Throughout the history of the Church, the longest-serving apostle has always become the president of the Church when the First Presidency has been reorganized.
7. Following the reorganization of the First Presidency, the apostle who has served the second longest {Right now, that is Elder Dallin H. Oaks} is sustained as the president of the Quorum of the Twelve. When the second-longest-serving apostle has also been called into the First Presidency as a counselor, the third-longest-serving apostle becomes acting president of the Twelve.
8. The president of the Quorum of the Twelve, along with the rest of the apostles, sets apart* the new president of the Church through a formal laying on of hands."
And lastly, click on the link to watch a video about President Monson's life . It was wonderful to see a glimpse of what kind of wonderful man we've had leading the church for the last several years and what a blessing it is to live in a day and a time when we have a prophet on the earth!
Meanwhile, here is a quote from President Monson to inspire you this week:
