With the busy day I have had today (between having the 9 am church block following a short night and having temple recommend interviews on both the ward and stake levels and hearing of the groundbreaking set for the Rio de Janeiro Brazil Temple), this is my first chance to share the latest information regarding the average ages of our 15 apostles.
Before doing so, I should like to note that this will be a shorter update compared to those I have lately done on this subject. After all, not all that much has changed in terms of how close President Monson and President Nelson are to reaching significant age and tenure milestones. Nor has very much changed in terms of how close our 14 apostles under 90 are to reaching that milestone. And there also has not been any change in terms of who among our apostles are closest in age to the averages shared here. But it is well worth noting the small changes that have taken place in this regard.
As of today, the average age of the First Presidency members is 83.07, while the average age of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stands at 74.62. With how old each apostle is (each of them have increased in age by about 0.02 years since last week), the average age of the 15 apostles overall is 76.31 years.
Again, I honestly can't say how those averages might compare with the week-to-week averages of these three groups over the history of the Church. But the limited research I have been able to do eon this subject leads me to believe that it is safe to say that some are much older than that average, and some are much younger.
It is absolutely amazing for me to track these averages week to week. Even if I never see much of an increase in the numbers involved, what it does absolutely indicate to me is that the promise of the Lord continues to be a reality. As the scripture says, they have been sanctified by the spirit unto the renewal of their bodies. As previously observed, President Nelson is well on track to become the oldest living apostle. I think he'll make it no problem. And with how well President Monson did in delivering that funeral tribute to Elder Rudd (still no word on how long he spoke, but by all accounts available, it was for an extended period of time), it may be a very good indicator that he is improving.
Someone asked me in response to an earlier post on the subject of apostolic age averages whether the Church was preparing anything special to mark President Monson's 90th birthday, which is this year. Because I wanted to be better informed about the question, I did my research. While there has been no announcement of any such event as yet, every time a Church president has previously reached a milestone birthday, particularly 90 or older, he is honored round about the day of his actual birthday. I am more than a little surprised that we haven't heard of any such event being planned for President Monson. But there is still time. President Hinckley's 90th birthday celebration was not announced by the Church News until about a month before the event. That might happen in this case. If it does, I would expect to hear about it perhaps 6 weeks before the event, as the month before falls right in the middle of the July recess for the General Authorities. Stay tuned for more on that as I hear of it.
In the meantime, I hope these posts are helpful to you all and that no one is bothered or offended by them. I thank those of you who have expressed an interest in these reports. I appreciate you all more than I can say. Any comments are welcome and appreciated. Thank you.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Latest Apostolic Age Averages
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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It may be me but it looks like we could have 2 or 3 prisdents of the church with in 10 years.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Bryce! While President Monson did deliver an extensive tribute to Elder Rudd at his funeral service, and while it seems that address was of a very considerable length of time, and while that is a good sign, he is still not doing well, from what I've heard. Also, at one event recently, President Eyring was looking gaunt, pale, and frail. He may not be doing well either. I also know that President Uchtdorf has been said to be showing added stress and age due to any First Presidency business he alone might be handling. President Nelson is 92, and is still looking well. I feel sure he will be our next prophet and perhaps live to be the oldest living apostle and prophet. All going well, I could see him being our first centenarian Church President. Elder Oaks is just about 8 years younger and it seems a natural conclusion that he will succeed either President Monson or President Nelson when the time comes. Elder Ballard, being roughly one year younger than President Monson is not likely to outlive the others. Neither is Elder Hales. Though he is 12 days younger than Elder Oaks, he has not been well for years. But his seatmate, Elder Holland, is the youngest and most senior of the three born in 1940 (He was born on December 3. President Uchtdorf is one month older, and his birthday is on November 6. Almost two months older than that is Elder Cook, born on Septmember 8 and the least senior of the three.) If Elder Holland becomes the prophet, then President Eyring (born over seven years earlier than any of the three mentioned above) and President Uchtdorf won't likely be Church President. Elder Bednar is the third youngest and is well situated in terms of his apostolic seniority to more than likely succeed Elder Holland. I can't see Elder Cook, Elder Christofferson (just over four years younger than Elder Cook), ELder Andersen (the youngest of the two born in 1951) or Elder Rasband (six months older than Elder Andersen) becoming Church President. It might happen with the youngest apostle, Elder Stevenson, born in 1955, but time will tell. And if Elder Stevenson does become Church President one day, it probably won't happen for Elder Renlund, who is five months younger than Elder Bednar. But I could see vacancies arise easily and being filled by younger men who might one day lead the Church. There is also always potential for an international apostle to be called at any time. But we will see. Those are just some quick thoughts to consider in all of this. Hope that helps.
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