Elder Scott's passing today means that three apostles have passed away since the last General Conference. It also means three new apostles will need to be called prior to the next General Conference. It has been about 110 years since the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had three vacancies, so, as you can see, it's a very rare occurrence. I believe this will provide the Church with the opportunity to get some younger men called. Who they will be remains to be seen. I have had a very good feeling about who two of them might be, but will not be identifying those I think will be called until I am proven right or wrong. And now there's another apostolic vacancy to fill.
This apostolic vacancy also necessitated a change in my general conference predictions. I have made those changes now. Here they are. As you can see, there are only minor adjustments, and, as I usually do, I have narrowed my prediction down to one name for each speaking slot. That will also be reflected in the changes below. 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 this prediction in this particular way. 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. The order may be altered in view of
whoever might be called to be the new apostles and when they might be called
upon to speak. On the subject of 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, and
Elder Scott’s death came so suddenly. I really haven’t had a chance to give any
thought as to the identity of the first new apostle. I could be totally wrong
in my feelings about who might be called, so, I will not be making my
predictions for the new apostles known. 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
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Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Russell Marion Nelson
sustained as Quorum President; Three new apostles sustained. (I think I know
who two of them might 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. Three new apostles will be sustained to succeed
Elder L. Tom Perry, President Boyd K. Packer and Elder Richard G. Scott.
RESULT: Russell Marion Nelson was so sustained. Three
new apostles were called, namely: , , and
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Presidency of the Seventy: New member(s) sustained (if
new apostle(s) come from the Presidency of the Seventy.
NOTE: We may see one of the
new apostles come from the Presidency of the Seventy, though who it might be
is beyond me.
RESULT:
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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 will turn 70 at the end of the year,
and it seems to be a common practice to release and grant emeritus status in
October to First Quorum brethren that are or will be 70 by the end of any
given year. I also believe that the third new apostle will come from the
First Quorum, and will thus need to be released as well, but, as stated
above, I won’t be revealing who I think that will be.
RESULT:
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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 September 13, he
is still 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. I do not believe we
will see any other changes here.
RESULT:
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Presiding Bishopric: Change(s) made if new apostle(s)
come from the Presiding Bishopric.
NOTE: I believe the second 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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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October 2015 General Conference Speaking Order Predictions
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Session
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Conducting
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Speaker
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General Women’s
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Bonnie L. Oscarson
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Rosemary M. Wixom
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Carol F. McConkie
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Linda S. Reeves
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President Thomas S. Monson
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Saturday Morning
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President Henry B. Eyring
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President Thomas S. Monson
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President Russell M. Nelson
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Elder Richard J. Maynes
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Neill F. Marriott
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Elder Kim B. Clark
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Elder Quentin L. Cook
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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Saturday Afternoon
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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President Henry B. Eyring (Sustaining of Church
Officers)
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Elder Robert D. Hales
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Elder M. Russell Ballard
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Elder Von G. Keetch
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Elder Allen D. Haynie
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Elder Hugo Montoya
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Elder Vern P. Stanfill
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Elder Neil L. Andersen
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Saturday Priesthood
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President Henry B. Eyring
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Elder David A. Bednar
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Bishop Gary E. Stevenson
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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President Henry B. Eyring
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President Thomas S. Monson
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Sunday Morning
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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President Henry B. Eyring
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New apostle #1
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New apostle #2
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New apostle #3
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson
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President Thomas S. Monson
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Sunday Afternoon
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President Henry B. Eyring
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Elder Dallin H. Oaks
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Carole M. Stephens
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Devin G. Durrant
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Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
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Elder Yoon Hwan Choi
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Elder Kevin R. Duncan
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
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President Thomas S. Monson
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