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What happens when a prophet steps back from active service?

I realize that among those who regularly read my blog, there may be some who are too young to remember the last time a prophet stepped back from active service (which was true for both President Spencer W. Kimball and his successor, President Ezra Taft Benson). I was one who was too young to see it happen with President Kimball, and barely old enough to comprehend it happening during President Benson's tenure, but I read extensively about it in old Ensigns, which my parents kept in the basement. I thought it might be somewhat illustrative for some of you if I posted more about what has been done in the past, and about some of the options the Church has in light of President Monson stepping back from his duties. Most of what follows are my own words. Where possible, I include paraphrased thoughts from others that fit the bill much better, in my opinion. Here is what I put together in that regard:

Prophetic Decline—Latest Examples: Presidents Kimball and Benson

This will be an overview of the subject of prophetic decline due to health, old age, or both. Before President Monson became Church President, the previous examples of that were President Spencer W. Kimball and his successor in the Presidency, Ezra Taft Benson.

First, let’s talk about President Kimball. In 1981, he recognized his declining health and that of his counselors (Tanner and Romney). As a result, he called President Hinckley as a counselor. By 1982, took less active role except for decisions requiring his approval. Starting in 1981, he scaled back his conference speaking and appearances. He wrote two talks for April 1982; one was read by his personal secretary D. Arthur Haycock (during the Saturday Morning Session), and a brief, one paragraph talk which he stood to give, his last public appearance. For April 1985, a video was shown during the Priesthood Session featuring extracts of previous Priesthood Session addresses President Kimball had given. He died on November 5, 1985, four years after his decline began and 3.5 years after stepping back from an active role in Church leadership.

As noted above, President Tanner was declining in health as well. His General Conference speaking was limited to a maximum of two addresses in the April 1980 General Conference (one of which was leading out in the Sustaining of Church Officers), and to one address per conference during the final five General Conferences during which he lived. In October 1980, he spoke briefly after President Kimball’s address opening the Conference (the address was just over 2.5 minutes). In April 1981, President Tanner was the second speaker during the Sunday Morning Session (giving a talk that was just over 6 minutes). The following October, President Tanner closed the conference with an address that (again, in a talk that was just over 6 minutes). In April 1982, President Tanner preceded President Kimball’s final address with a talk just short of 5 minutes. And six months later, just short of two months before his death, President Tanner gave his last General Conference talk, closing out that conference with another talk under 5 minutes.

President Romney held out slightly better than Presidents Kimball or Tanner. Though not in great health, he was able to push through to fill a semi-active role in First Presidency, giving multiple addresses in General Conference until about the time that President Tanner passed away, and wasn’t able to participate too much after his call as First Counselor to President Kimball. The last address President Romney wrote for delivery in General Conference was read in the April 1983 General Conference was read at his request by his son George J. during the Saturday Morning Session. Though rarely seen in public by the time of President Kimball’s passing in 1985, President Romney, being junior to President Ezra Taft Benson, was, by virtue of apostolic seniority, named the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Because his health was not good, Elder Howard W. Hunter served as the Acting President to provide active leadership in the quorum for President Romney’s tenure, which spanned just over 2.5 years.

With the day-to-day responsibility of First Presidency matters falling to President Hinckley as the only active member of that body, he turned to President Benson as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to help him with things, as per Church policy and procedure. President Benson was very loyal to President Hinckley during this time, which was not a surprise, as President Hinckley was his junior in the apostleship but his senior in terms of his sole active role in the Quorum of the First Presidency. Starting in April 1983, President Benson assisted President Hinckley with his General Conference responsibilities, including leading out in the Sustaining of Church Officers as requested, and giving two talks per conference, which took place as follows:

April 1983: As noted above, led out in the Sustaining of Church Officers. Preceded President Hinckley’s closing address during the Priesthood Session, and was the first speaker during the Sunday Morning Session

October 1983: Gave the second actual address during the Saturday Morning Session (following President Hinckley’s talk, which itself had followed President Hinckley’s shortened version of the Sustaining of Church Officers) and preceded again President Hinckley’s concluding remarks during the Priesthood Session.

April 1984: Was the second to speak during the Saturday Morning Session (following President Hinckley’s combined Sustaining of Church Officers and first address) and again preceded President Hinckley’s concluding remarks during the Priesthood Session.

October 1984: The same as April 1984.

April 1985: Once again, was the second to speak during the Saturday Morning Session (following President Hinckley’s combined opening address, Sustaining of Church Officers, and review of a then new policy of having area presidencies serve on site within the US and internationally). Spoke this time at the beginning of the Priesthood Session.

October 1985: Again spoke directly after President Hinckley’s opening remarks (although the Sustaining of Church Officers was delayed during this conference until the top of the Sunday Afternoon Session), and again was the first speaker during the Priesthood Session.

President Benson’s declining years:

President Benson was fully active and functional for the first few years of his presidency, but starting in 1989, scaled back his public appearances and General Conference addresses for the last five years of his presidency. Thankfully, both of his counselors, Presidents Hinckley and Monson, were fully able to function during this time (though each had minor health issues that were dealt with during this time, including minor hospitalizations and procedures), and they alternated both an increase in addresses and responsibilities during this time. As a result of President Benson’s condition, the following was done in terms of General Conferences:

April 1989: President Benson asked President Hinckley to read his still-remembered address about pride being a universal sin and a horrible vice at the top of the Saturday Morning Session, and President Monson to read his address directed to the children of the Church at the close of the Sunday Afternoon Session. Both counselors spoke during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions.

October 1989: President Benson asked President Monson to read his address directed to the elderly members of the Church. Both counselors spoke during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions. At President Benson’s request, President Hinckley closed the Sunday Afternoon Session not by reading an address for him, but by using his own words to assure Church members that the Lord did, was, and would continue to direct His work even in the wake of a prophet’s decline.

April 1990: Presidents Hinckley and Monson both spoke during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions. At President Benson’s request and with his consent, President Monson opened the conference and President Hinckley closed it with addresses that quoted many of President Benson’s prior teachings.

October 1990: Same as above, but President Hinckley opened the conference and President Monson closed it, again with addresses quoting previous teachings by President Benson.

April 1991: No different from April 1990.

October 1991: No different from October 1990.

April 1992: Same as the previous two Aprils.

October 1992: Same as the previous two Octobers.

April 1993: Similar to the past three Aprils, but the counselors shared updates about President Benson’s health, conveyed his love and concern for the Church and its members, and made it more clear that the words of President Benson they were sharing were as requested and directed by him.

October 1993: This conference was somewhat different, and more like they have been for us since 2015. The conference began with the Sustaining of Church Officers by President Hinckley, saw both counselors speak during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions, and neither counselor giving an actual address at either the opening or concluding sessions of conference.

April 1994: The final conference during which President Benson was Church President. The conference featured the Sustaining of Church Officers in its traditional slot at the top of the Saturday Afternoon Session, with both counselors again speaking during the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Session. At President Benson’s request, President Monson closed the conference with a benedictory address using his (President Monson’s) own words. As both counselors were able to speak when President Benson couldn’t during these years, the only different thing is that more General Authorities spoke during this conference to compensate for the absence of a formal message directed by or using President Benson’s previous counsel.

President Monson:

At this point, President Monson is older than both Presidents Kimball and Benson were when their active role in day-to-day Church operations ended. And President Monson will have lived longer than President Kimball if he is still alive in March 2018. And if, by 2022, President Monson is still living (which may be possible, as both Presidents Kimball and Benson lived several years without being actively involved in day-to-day Church business), he will have lived longer than President Benson. And President Monson also had several more years of active service as Church President than either of the other two prior to when he started scaling back his role. Here is a timeline of significant notes on President Monson’s presidency:

2008-2010: Functioned fully as Church President, including presiding at every temple dedication or rededication, conducting 3 of the 5 general sessions of conference, and speaking 4-5 times during General Conference (4 talks in the general sessions, and once every three conferences at the General RS/YW Meeting); last conducted a General Conference session in April 2010.

October 2010-present: Delegated responsibility of conducting General Conference sessions to his counselors.

2011-2014: Alternated with his counselors in presiding at temple dedications and rededications (including having Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, preside at the dedication of the temple for his native Brigham City Utah).

2013: A change is made to include other General Authorities in the annual Christmas Devotional; President Monson’s last address in such a devotional.

2014-present: Has delegated temple dedications and rededications entirely to his counselors. (Though three of the six dedications done during 2016 were presided over by three of the six senior apostles); continued to give 4 or 5 General Conference talks every six months; last spoke in the General Relief Society meeting in October 2013; has had his counselors alternate speaking duties since then for the RS/YW meeting, and, since 2014, in the General Women’s Meeting, which was designated as an official General Conference session in October that same year.

2015-2017: President Monson only speaks twice in each General Conference. He asks his counselors to take turns speaking in the General Women’s Session and being the first speaker in the Saturday Morning Session or the last one during the Sunday Morning Session.

2015: For each of the General Conferences held, the two addresses he gave took a total around half an hour.

2016-2017: For each of the three General Conferences held during this time, the two addresses he gave in together totaled just under 10 minutes.

2016: At the invitation of the First Presidency, Elder M. Russell Ballard serves as Grand Marshall of the annual Days of ’47 KSL Parade (for Utah’s pioneer day), marking the first year in a long time that a First Presidency member did not do so.

April 2017: President Monson only attends three of the six General Conference sessions. An article on the website of the LDS Church News notes that President Eyring presided at the other three sessions, while the conference edition of the Ensign, for the first time in many years, does not list that information. This General Conference marks the first time President Monson speaks at the beginning of the Priesthood Session rather than the end of it.

Tuesday May 23, 2017: The Church announced President Monson would no longer actively participate in meetings, decisions, or deliberations of the leading brethren, leaving the day-to-day operations of the Church to the other 14 apostles. He will be consulted on any major decisions requiring his approval, but will no longer take an active role. This was verified by the recent report that President Monson did not participate at all in the recent Seminar for New Mission Presidents.

Friday June 30, 2017: President Monson’s tenure length makes him the 8^th longest serving Church President.

Monday August 21, 2017: President Monson’s 90^th birthday (no word yet on whether or not there will be a public celebration of this milestone)

Saturday September 23 & 30 & October 1: 187^th Semiannual General Conference

Speaking of the upcoming General Conference (and this also applies to any other that may occur during whatever remains of President Monson’s life), it is unknown at present how the above-mentioned announcement may impact President Monson’s ability to speak for a few minutes in the Priesthood and Sunday Morning Sessions. I have inquired with the Church about that very question. If he is not able to, past precedent indicates a few possibilities for what might happen:

1.      Other speakers in the session will take up those few minutes, including an additional speaker or two if needed.

2.      A counselor in the First Presidency, a member of President Monson’s family, or his personal secretary could read an address from him containing either new counsel or quotations from previous addresses he has given, including announcing any new temples, which would be done with President Monson’s permission.

3.      President Nelson, as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, could be asked to give a second address at some point, perhaps during the Priesthood Session.

In considering what might happen in October, I would also like to mention one other thing. Elder Hales also did not speak during the Mission President’s Seminar. He has missed previous General Conferences, so it is possible he might not speak this October either. Until more is known, my predictions for next General Conference have President Monson and Elder Hales speaking back-to-back at the top of the Sunday Morning Session. If neither can speak at all this conference, obviously that will change things, and anywhere from 1-3 other speakers could take that time.

For now, that is what my study on the subject of past precedent in this situation has involved. While there are general guidelines and past precedents to ensure the work of the Church can continue unhindered and without interruption during the declining years of a Church president, one thing is sure: any call for President Monson to “retire” or be granted some kind of emeritus status is not the Lord’s way, and the same holds true for all other apostles and prophets. Anyone perpetuating those ideas is not under the direction or influence of the spirit of the Lord. There is, as noted many times previously, a reason why Church doctrine and practice has been, is, and always will be for all apostles and Church Presidents to serve until death. The only other way out of the apostleship is being disfellowshipped or excommunicated, and that has not happened in this Church since 1943. Though President Monson, Elder Hales, and perhaps one or two others may be struggling with issues of illness and old age, to a man, each of our current 15 apostles are righteous men that have lived lives in harmony with God’s will and have absolutely been prepared and foreordained prior to this life for the apostleship.

Some of our current apostles will live to succeed President Monson. Others will pass away. And the Lord has, does, and will continue to guide how and when such apostolic transitions occur. It is our solemn duty to sustain these brethren. Our opportunity to sustain them was, is, and always will be a time to silently voice our support for them. Unless anyone knows of any grievous transgressions on the part of any of these 15 men, it is a sacred obligation to sustain them. To adapt statements previously made by Church presidents Brigham Young and Gordon B. Hinckley, and doctrines taught by then-Elder Nelson in October 2014, and Elder Bednar one year later, anyone who asserts or implies that these men are guilty of great or malignant sins, or who assert that they are unrighteous, “out of touch”, “too old for the job” or “should be released from active service, or who organizes efforts meant to vocally express opposition to sustaining these men, while failing to make the effort as invited to resolve such concerns through proper channels, are not being moved upon by the spirit of God, and are on the high road to apostasy. And if they do not repent, they will eventually apostatize as surely as God lives.

In my opinion, (as I continue to paraphrase statements made in the above-mentioned addresses), the beauty of having men of maturity at the head is that they will not be blown about by every wind of doctrine. And the fact is, were it not for being asked to serve until their dying breaths, we would have missed out on so many sermons from good men seasoned by years of experience. Those are not my words, but as surely as I know God lives, I know they are true. The Lord has, is now, and will continue to control how the leadership of His Church changes hands, and, for my part, I am content to leave it in His hands. Just as the origins of this Church are divine, so is the process by which the leadership thereof changes at His will. Of these things I gratefully testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Unit Changes Noted

Hello, all! In the last week or so, several changes in Church units have taken place, both in terms of new units created and other units discontinued. I will not analyze these developments, as I am not good at doing so. But you can be sure to find such an analysis on the LDS Church Growth Blog, either already posted or soon to be added. You can also find a list of those changes here. Thanks to you all for your ongoing interest and support.