Stokes Sounds Off: UPDATED: Apostolic Data

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Sunday, January 11, 2026

UPDATED: Apostolic Data

Hello again, everyone! It has been a tradition on this blog for me to provide updates on apostolic data every 7 weeks. Having last done so on Sunday, November 23, it is time to publish the newest such data. As with every two-part update, the first part contains updated data about the age and tenure length records for all 18 Church Presidents (including our current prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks), in addition to updated information on the tenure lengths for each of the 30 Presidents of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (including our new Quorum President, Henry B. Eyring). 

The first document likewise notes information on the tenure length rankings for three sets of apostolic groups: the longest-serving First Presidencies (with the current First Presidency not even making that list for the next 6 years), the longest-serving groups of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and groups of all ordained apostles (the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) The clock on the current group reset when President Holland died and will reset again whenever the new apostle is appointed in his stead.

Meanwhile, the second part of today's update shows the long-form and decimal ages for the members of the current First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the same data for the combined First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in addition to the average ages of each group and apostolic nonagenarians (with 2 of the current 14 apostles being on that list), and a final table showing the remaining time between today and when each of the other 12 apostles will become nonagenarians and join that list.

This is the first update for 2026, and, with these updates being published every 7 weeks, the next one will be provided here on Sunday, March 1. Hopefully, this post is of interest to you all. Again, I offer an open invitation to anyone who has any questions about those documents to ask them here. Stay tuned here for my coverage of the latest updates from the Church News, Newsroom, and Church of Jesus Christ Temples sites. I’ll be sure to pass word of those along to you all as soon as I learn about them. 

In the meantime, that does it for now. All comments are, as always, welcome and appreciated on any post at any time, as long as all such feedback is made per the established guidelines. I hope any of you who would like to share anything will take your opportunity to “sound off” in the comments below. If you liked what you read here and would like to stay informed of newly added posts and comments, please subscribe to receive the applicable updates.

Thank you for the privilege of your time. Until my next post, I wish you all the best and pray that the Lord will bless you all in everything you do. 

4 comments:

  1. Based off an interview with President Oaks before the Burley dedication, it sounds like we will not have temples announced at General Conference during his presidency. Temple announcements will follow the patern set by the Portland Maine temple.

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    1. Thank you, Scott. I saw that. For those wondering about what Scott is referring to, you can find details in the Newsroom report of the Burley Idaho dedication, in addition to the Church News reports on the dedication and the interview in question. It does appear that localized temple announcements will be the new status quo. But I wouldn't necessarily rule out temple announcements in General Conference altogether. Rather, based on what he said, and on what was said when the Portland Maine Temple was announced, temple announcements in General Conference may be fewer and further between. We have seen him take steps to increase the focus on 4 daytime sessions of General Conference, which also suggests that major announcements outside of General Conference will also be the status quo, but I would assume there are some announcements that will still be reserved for General Conference weekend, such as new leadership, the canonization of any new scripture, doctrinal clarifications or declarations, and any further major adjustments that may be needed to Church infrastructure.

      The obvious exceptions are new apostles. As we saw with Elders Kearon and Causse, they have been appointed not long after apostles are laid to rest. So I think we will still see the newest apostle appointed within the next week or two, in addition to continuing to see regular Monday announcements about major temple construction developments.

      Just my thoughts and observations in response to yours. I look forward to seeing what, if anything, Matt may have by way of analysis on that particular statement. Thanks so much for taking time to comment, Scott. I always appreciate hearing from you.

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  2. On this Sabbath Day, aside from the aforementioned coverage of the Burley Idaho Temple Dedication, the Church News also covered what Church leaders have taught about the six chapters we will be studying in this week's "Come, Follow Me" curriculum. The latest edition of "In Case You Missed It: Week in Review recapped the top 10 developments reported by the Church News this week. And the Church News has also shared the inspiring story of two friends for 79 yearswho have been called to serve as mission companions in Guam. My thanks once again to you all.

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    1. With just about 90 minutes until the first anticipated major temple construction update for 2026, the Church News has shared two new reports, which speak for themselves. My thanks once again to you all.

      Delete

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