The highlight of this conference was the appointment of 3 new apostles to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They are Elder Ronald Andersen Rasband, Senior President of the Seventy; Presiding Bishop Gary Evan Stevenson, and Elder Dale Gunnar Renlund, who has served in the First Quorum of the Seventy since 2009.
I am very pleased with whom the Lord has selected to fill the vacancies. They are all a little older than I thought they would be. Elder Rasband is 6 months and 3 days older than Elder Neil L. Andersen, who is Elder Rasband's seatmate. Elder Renlund is almost 6 months younger than Elder David A. Bednar. And Elder Stevenson, the youngest appointee of the three, was born the same year as my parents. It was so wonderful to see them take their places with the rest of the Quorum of the Twelve.
I had the instant confirmation I had been praying for that these were the men the Lord wanted appointed at this time. It was a very sacred and unforgettable experience, especially when I had been so sure about whom I thought the new apostles would be. But I was gratified in the sense that I was partially right in my predictions of who would be called: One came from the Presidency of the Seventy, one from the Presiding Bishopric, and one from the First Quorum of the Seventy.
I loved how they all explained in the press conference Saturday Afternoon their feelings regarding the call and how they fielded questions regarding the fact that they were all older and all American. They all agreed that they had international experience, having all served as members of area presidencies in other countries. And they all expressed that willingness to go and do as the Lord and those more experienced in the apostleship had done. They all paid tribute to the three apostles that had preceded them. And they all bore a powerful witness of the Lord's work in their brief remarks during the Sunday Morning Session.
That being said, let me now turn my attention to a report on how my predictions panned out. Obviously, I couldn't have known that President Monson would once again only speak twice, or have guessed the extra speakers I didn't predict would speak. Here are the results of my predictions.
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
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: Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Senior President
of the Seventy, Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund
of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
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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: Elder Ronald A.
Rasband was released as Senior President of the Seventy in view of his new
calling as an apostle. Elder L. Whitney Clayton is now the Senior President
of the Seventy, and a new member will be called to fill the vacancy in the
Presidency, though it may take a while for the Church to announce who that
will be.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: On October
6, 2015, it was officially announced by the Church that Elder Clayton had
indeed become Senior President of the Seventy and that the new member of the
Presidency of the Seventy is Elder Gerrit W. Gong, who has been a member of
the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 2010.
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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: Elder Don R. Clarke was released as a member of
the First Quorum of the Seventy and granted emeritus status. Elders Ronald A.
Rasband and Dale G. Renlund were also, in view of their new callings as
apostles, released as members of the First Quorum of the Seventy.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Besides not having Elders Rasband and
Renlund as members anymore, in view of his calling to the Presidency of the
Seventy, Elder Gerrit W. Gong is serving in the Presidency of the Seventy and
is not numbered among those of the First Quorum any more. Also, Elder W.
Christopher Waddell was released on October 9, to accept a calling as Second
Counselor in the reorganized Presiding Bishopric. This makes four total men
not numbered among the First Quorum anymore.
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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: Elders Koichi Aoyagi and Bruce A. Carlson were
released as members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy and became the first
members of the Second Quorum to be granted emeritus status.
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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: No changes were made here. It may be a little
while until a new Presiding Bishop is called, and in the meantime, neither
Bishop Stevenson nor his counselors were released at this time.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: On October 9, it was announced that
Gerald Causse, the former First Counselor to Bishop Gary E. Stevenson, would
be the new Presiding Bishop, the first non-native English speaker to hold
this position in about 50 or 100 years. Dean M. Davies, who previously served
as Second Counselor to Bishop Stevenson, is Causse’s new First Counselor, and
W. Christopher Waddell of the First Quorum of the Seventy has been called as
the new Second Counselor.
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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: 1 area seventy was released and none were sustained.
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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: These changes were made. No other changes were
necessary.
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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: No change necessary.
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October 2015 General Conference Speaking Order
Predictions
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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[Linda S. Reeves]
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Carol F. McConkie
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[Carol F. McConkie]
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Linda S. Reeves
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[President Dieter F. Uchtdorf]
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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 [President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf]
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[Elder M. Russell Ballard]
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President Russell M. Nelson or
Elder Quentin L. Cook
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Elder Richard J. Maynes
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Neill F. Marriott
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[Elder Larry R. Lawrence]
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Elder Kim B. Clark
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[Elder Francisco Viñas]
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Elder Quentin L. Cook or
Elder David A. Bednar
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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 Jeffrey R. Holland]
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Elder M. Russell Ballard
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[Elder Bradley D. Foster]
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Elder Von G. Keetch
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[Elder Hugo Montoya]
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Elder Allen D. Haynie
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[Elder Vern P. Stanfill]
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Elder Hugo Montoya
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[Elder James B. Martino]
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Elder Vern P. Stanfill or
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
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[Elder Dallin H. Oaks]
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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 or President Russell M. Nelson
[Elder Neil L. Andersen]
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[Elder Randall K. Bennett]
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Bishop Gary E. Stevenson
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[President Dieter F. Uchtdorf]
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband
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[President Henry B. Eyring]
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
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[President Thomas S. Monson]
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President Henry B. Eyring
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[No one]
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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
[President Thomas S. Monson]
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband
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Elder Gary E. Stevenson
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Elder Dale G. Renlund
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[President Russell M. Nelson]
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson or New apostle #3
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[Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer; not predicted]
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[Elder Claudio R. M. Costa; not predicted]
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[President Henry B. Eyring]
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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 or
New apostle #2
[Elder D. Todd Christofferson]
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[Devin G. Durrant]
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Carole M. Stephens or
Elder D. Todd Christofferson
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[Elder Von G. Keetch]
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Devin G. Durrant
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[Carole M. Stephens]
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Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
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[Elder Allen D. Haynie]
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Elder Yoon Hwan Choi
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[Elder Kim B. Clark]
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Elder Kevin R. Duncan
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[Elder David A. Bednar]
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
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[No one]
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President Thomas S. Monson
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I enjoyed all the conference talks greatly. It was a wonderful conference, and I was so glad I could watch all the sessions. It was so neat to hear the wonderful prayers, beautiful, doctrinally-rich talks, and the inspiring majesty of the musical selections. I left General Conference with my spiritual tank completely filled, and in eager anticipation of the next General Conference in April.
The one thing I'm not sure of is whether or not President Monson and Elder Hales will still be living next conference. I have spoken to several who feel President Monson is on his way out. It will be so hard to lose these men. It always is. But I take comfort in the knowledge that their days are known to our Heavenly Father and that their years shall not be numbered less. And I also take comfort in knowing in advance that those who may be called to replace them will be the ones the Lord would have in those roles. God is at the helm of His work, and there is no doubt in my mind about the veracity of the process by which the Lord's servants are called and released.
That being said, I want to turn my attention to some important changes that have taken place in Church leadership. Elder Rasband's call left a vacancy in the Presidency that was filled by Elder Gerrit Walter Gong, who has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 2010 and is the first native Asian to be called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy. His call marks the first time two members of the Presidency of the Seventy who are not native US citzens have served together in the Presidency of the Seventy.
Elder Rasband's role as the Senior or Presiding President of the Seventy was transferred to Elder Lyndon Whitney Clayton III. Though it hasn't yet been officially announced by the Church, there is no doubt in my mind that Elder Clayton has taken on Elder Rasband's assignment to assist in all areas and that Elder Gong has been given Elder Clayton's former assignment to preside over and direct the affairs of the Church in the three Utah areas. Right now the Presidency of the Seventy is undergoing a transition period, especially as Elder Gong had been serving as the president of the Church's Asia Area, which assignment will need to be handed off to someone else.
Also announced this week was the reorganization of the Presiding Bishopric. Gerald Causse, who had been serving as First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric is the new Presiding Bishop, the first non-American to hold that position in either a full or half century, only the third non-American Presiding Bishop, and the first Presiding Bishop whose native language is not English. He had been called as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy in April 2008, and became a member of the Presiding Bishopric during the April 2012 General Conference.
Bishop Dean M. Davies, who had been serving as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, is the new First Counselor. He has been serving as a general authority and as the second counselor to Bishop Stevenson since April 2012. Called as the new Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric is Elder W. Christopher Waddell, who has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 2011 and is currently serving as First Counselor in the South America Northwest Area Presidency, so there will also need to be a change there.
An article in the Deseret News quoted an Ensign article written about the Presiding Bishopric by Keith B. McMullin, who was serving as Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric at the time the article was written. Bishop McMullin stated:
The presiding bishop has responsibility for the temporal affairs of a worldwide church. The presiding bishop's load is really heavy. If there's a hymnbook you sing from or a church manual you use, temple clothing that you wear or words that have been translated for church use into your native tongue, it comes under the guidance of the presiding bishop and his counselors."
The article goes on to talk about the duties of the Presiding Bishopric, which include: "[Overseeing the] design, construction and maintenance of temples, meetinghouses, seminary and institute buildings and other real estate, the commercial farming enterprises of the church and its real estate investment properties such as City Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah. [They also direct] the church's welfare and humanitarian programs. Membership records and the collection of tithes and offerings also come under their purview."
Members of the presiding bishopric also have ecclesiastical duties. They hold the keys to the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood. As Bishop McMullin stated, "Each member of the Presiding Bishopric is an ordained bishop and a general authority of the church who goes out on assignments, as do all general authorities, to officiate in stake conferences, to teach members of the church and to handle the various ecclesiastical administrative affairs they are called upon to handle."
The Presiding Bishopric meets every Friday with the First Presidency. Their efforts also focus on :"[t]hose who suffer from hurricanes, earthquakes and privations of various sorts."
The article concludes with brief biographies of the new Presiding Bishopric members and names the two other Presiding Bishops who have not been from the United States and are not native English speakers, namely: Charles W. Penrose, who served from 1907-1925 when he became a member of the First Presidency, and who was born in Scotland, and Victor L. Brown, a native Canadian, who served in the Presiding Bishopric from 1961-1985 (being Presiding Bishop from 1972-1985, and was a member of the Seventy from 1985 to his death in 1996, following his tenure in the Presiding Bishopric.)
I am grateful for all of these inspired changes and can and will sustain these newly called leaders with all my heart. I testify that each of their callings and all of the inspired messages from General Conference come directly from the Lord, and that we will be blessed as we sustain and follow the counsel of all of our leaders, and I bear this testimony and share this post in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
