General Conference Predictions

Since the first session of General Conference is about 1-1/2 weeks away, I thought I'd better post general conference predictions. First, here's a link to Matthew Martinich's predictions for temples that may be announced this conference. He gives 10 potential temple sites. The discussion that follows is instructive, and I invite all who wish to do so to read the post and the accompanying comments.

Now, as to my conference predictions, I have done something different with them this go-round. I have consolidated all my predictions for this conference to one file, so it is easier to read. I also have an important note about my predictions at the beginning of the document that warrants careful reading. That said, my predictions follow. Enjoy!

NOTE: I learned from looking at the last time we had new apostles that the regular General Conference speaking order might be altered. Accordingly, I have made two separate predictions. The tables below list the possible changes in general Church leadership and the speaking order. There are some changes in general Church leadership that are definite because they have already been announced. The other changes are conditional based on who is released and sustained. With the speaking order table, where is only one name in a space, then the two unique predictions I have made will be the same. If I have two names listed in one space, it’s because I’m not sure exactly of the order in which the speakers will be called upon. The order may also be altered in view of whoever might be called to be the new apostles and when they might be called upon to speak. On who might be called, I have had a good feeling about two particular names. I am not confident enough in my feelings about who the new apostles might be to add their specific names to my prediction, but I will say that if the individuals I feel will be called are called, the second name (where two names are listed) is the most likely speaking order. I could be totally wrong in my feelings about who might be called, so, to cover my bases, I am including the names listed first just in case the standard General Conference format is followed and in the event I am wrong in my feelings about who the new apostles will be. Hope that makes sense. Here are my predictions for what changes might be made to general Church leadership, followed by my predictions for who might speak and when and in what order.

October 2015 Predictions for changes in General Church Leadership

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Russell Marion Nelson sustained as Quorum President; Two new apostles sustained. (I think I know who they will be, but I’m not going to say just in case I’m wrong.) NOTE: We know from previous announcements that Russell Marion Nelson should be sustained as Quorum President since he was set apart in that position on July 15. Two new apostles will be sustained to succeed Elder L. Tom Perry and President Boyd K. Packer. RESULT: Russell Marion Nelson was so sustained. Two new apostles were called, namely:

Presidency of the Seventy: New member(s) sustained (if new apostle(s) come from the Presidency of the Seventy. NOTE: I don’t believe we will see a change here. RESULT:

First Quorum of the Seventy: Elder Don R. Clarke released and granted emeritus status; other member(s) possibly released if called to the Twelve. NOTE: I believe Elder Don R. Clarke will be released and granted emeritus status because he is now over 70. I also believe that the second new apostle will come from the First Quorum, but, as stated above, I won’t be revealing who I think that will be. RESULT:

Second Quorum of the Seventy: Elders Koichi Aoyagi and Kent F. Richards and others possibly released if called to the Twelve. NOTE: I believe that at least Elder Koichi Aoyagi will be released. Not so sure about Elder Kent F. Richards. He’s at an age and service length where a release could be expected, but as of August 23, he was still identified as the Temple Department Executive Director, and any changes to Executive Directors of Departments are usually made by or before August 1. So either only Elder Aoyagi will be released (as he is unassigned and over 70) or both Elders Aoyagi and Richards will be released, and someone else will take on the role of Temple Department Executive Director. RESULT:

Presiding Bishopric: Change(s) made if new apostle(s) come from the Presiding Bishopric. NOTE: I believe the first new apostle will come from the Presiding Bishopric, but again, as stated above, I won’t be revealing who I think that will be. If any members of the Presiding Bishopric do become apostles, that would necessitate changes. RESULT:

Area Seventies: Releases and sustainings, especially if new apostle(s) come from currently serving Area Seventies. NOTE: I believe we will only have a few changes here, as it seems to be typically the pattern for major changes to be made in April when President Dieter F. Uchtdorf presents the Sustaining of Church Officers and for only a very few to be made in October when President Henry B. Eyring presents the Sustaining of Church Officers. I’m not infallible, however, so I will just say that I believe there will be few, if any, changes here. RESULT:

Sunday School General Presidency: John Sears Tanner released as First Counselor; Devin G. Durrant released as Second Counselor and sustained as First Counselor; Brian K. Ashton sustained as Second Counselor. Possible additional changes if new apostle(s) come from Sunday School General Presidency. NOTE: We know from the Church’s June 12 announcement that these changes have been made and will most likely be ratified by sustaining vote during General Conference. I don’t believe there will be any other changes here. RESULT:

Young Men General Presidency: Change(s) made if new apostle(s) come from Young Men General Presidency. NOTE: I don’t believe there will be any changes here. RESULT:

October 2015 General Conference Speaking Order Predictions

Session	Conducting	Speaker
General Women’s	Bonnie L. Oscarson	Rosemary M. Wixom
		Carol F. McConkie
		Linda S. Reeves
		President Thomas S. Monson
Saturday Morning	President Henry B. Eyring	President Thomas S. Monson
		Elder Richard G. Scott
		Elder Richard J. Maynes
		Neill F. Marriott
		Elder Kim B. Clark
		President Russell M. Nelson
		President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Saturday Afternoon	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf	President Henry B. Eyring (Sustaining of Church Officers)
		Elder Robert D. Hales
		Elder M. Russell Ballard
		Elder Von G. Keetch
		Elder Allen D. Haynie
		Elder Hugo Montoya
		Elder Dallin H. Oaks or Elder Vern P. Stanfill
		Elder Neil L. Andersen
Saturday Priesthood	President Henry B. Eyring	Elder David A. Bednar
		Bishop Gary E. Stevenson
		Elder Ronald A. Rasband
		President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
		President Henry B. Eyring
		President Thomas S. Monson
Sunday Morning	President Dieter F. Uchtdorf	President Henry B. Eyring
		Elder Quentin L. Cook or New apostle #2
		New apostle #1 or Elder Vern P. Stanfill
		New apostle #2 or Carole M. Stephens
		Elder D. Todd Christofferson
		President Thomas S. Monson
Sunday Afternoon	President Henry B. Eyring	Elder Dallin H. Oaks or New apostle #1
		Carole M. Stephens or Elder Quentin L. Cook
		Devin G. Durrant
		Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
		Elder Yoon Hwan Choi
		Elder Kevin R. Duncan
		Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
		President Thomas S. Monson