Will Pres. Nelson call the LDS Church's First Non-White Apostle?

The ascendancy of Russell M. Nelson to become the new President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints come at an interesting time. From 2014-2016 marked the first time since 1928-1930 that the Church went three years in a row without at least 2% growth. Non-American members outnumber American members. Non-white members outnumber white members, and yet in the history of the Church, while 100 men have been called to be Apostles, 90 of them have been American, and all of them have been white. (The non-Americans were six from England, and one each from Ireland, Denmark, Norway and Germany.)

At Pres. Nelson's first and probably last press conference for the general public, he addressed the lack of diversity in the First Presidency/Quorum of the Twelve by pointing out how many countries are represented by the 84 men in the Quorum of the Seventy. With every vacancy in the top fifteen, the odds increase: will we finally get a non-white apostle?

Pres. Monson had five opportunities. All five of his selections were white men born in Utah. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, called by Pres. Hinckley in 2004, was the first non-American in 71 years to become an Apostle (the previous being the Irish Charles A. Callis), and he remains the lone non-American in the Quorum.

So based on past callings, with information comes inspiration, let's see what the odds are of the next two to be called.

CATEGORY #1 - WHITE AMERICANS

Craig C. Christensen

I wouldn't rule out the next two apostles also being white Americans, but I'd be shocked if neither of them were. It's very rare for someone to be called who isn't already in the centerfold of the Ensign or president of a church university to be called. In fact, Thomas S. Monson is the most recent apostle to not fit into one of those categories, so let's assume this will work.

The Presidency of the Seventy and the Presiding Bishopric are where new Apostles most often come from. The white Americans currently in these offices are L. Whitney Clayton (68), Craig C. Christensen (61), Lynn G. Robbins (65), Dean M. Davies (66), and W. Christopher Waddell (58).

Ever since David Bednar turned 60, this is the only and longest time in Church history that every man in the FP/Q12 have been at least 60. Also it's very rare for an Apostle to be over 70 when called. It stands to reason that at least one of the two new ones will be younger than 60. Now to factor in the presidents of BYU and BYU-Idaho, you add Kevin J. Worthen (62), Henry J. Eyring (54), Clark Gilbert (49), and Kim B. Clark (68).

There's also the Sunday School and Young Men's Presidencies to consider. Pres. Nelson was Sunday School President when he was called. This would mean Stephen W. Owen (59), Douglas D. Holmes (56), Monte Joseph Brough (54), Devin Durrant (57) and Brian K. Ashton (49) are possible (I'm excluding 72-year-old Tad R. Callister). I also don't give Durrant much of a shot after his "Ponderize" talk backfired.

Next we would consider the General Authority Seventies, now called as such after the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy were combined. From this bunch, I will rule out any man 66 or over, and who hasn't been in at least two years. This leaves several options.

In order of seniority from when he was called into the Q70:

Paul V. Johnson (63), Paul B. Pieper (60), Shayne M. Bowen (63), Marcus B. Nash (60), Anthony D. Perkins (57), Kevin W. Pearson (60), James R. Martino (56), Brent H. Nielson (63), Michael T. Ringwood (60), Kevin R. Duncan (57), Carl B. Cook (60), LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. (65), Scott D. Whiting (56), Randy D. Funk (65), Kevin S. Hamilton (62), Gifford Nielsen (63), Allen D. Haynie (59), and Vern P. Stanfill (60).

Now, of all of these candidates, L. Whitney Clayton has a decent shot despite his age. He holds the same office Ronald A. Rasband did when he was called to be an Apostle. Clayton's calling could mean a further hardline approach that Nelson signalled when he swapped out Uchtdorf for Oaks in the FIrst Presidency. I am less inclined to think the others in this Presidency would have a shot.

If Nelson calls one white American and one who isn't, I would guess it would follow the Uchtdorf-Bednar pattern where the American is the younger one. Therefore I'd increase the odds of those under 60. I also wouldn't rule out Henry J. Eyring due to nepotism. "If the Lord wants a father and son to serve together, then it's the Lord's will." Plenty of fathers and sons have been in the FP/Q12 at the same time in the past.

Now let's look at the other categories.

CATEGORY #2 - NON-WHITE AMERICANS

Gerritt W. Gong

This is admittedly a small group, but with one likely candidate. Gerritt W. Gong (64) is fourth-generation American of Chinese heritage. Gong's callings have lent him to work closely with Pres. Nelson in the past. He's comfortable with him. Other possibilites are Larry Echo Hawk (69), Adrian Ochoa (63) and Hugo Montoya (57), as well as Puerto Rico's Hugo E. Martinez (61).

CATEGORY #3 - WHITE NON-AMERICANS

I'm just going with the UK/Canadian/Australian men for this. There's Patrick Kearon (56) from the U.K., just barely called into the Presidency of the Seventy. One would also have to consider Christoffel Golden (65), David S. Baxter (63), Ian S. Ardern (63), Randall K. Bennett (62), and Terence Vinson (66) as well. I'll also add the Germans Erich Kopischke (61) and Jorg Klebigat (50).

CATEGORY #4 - NON-WHITE NON-AMERICANS

Juan Uceda

Top of this list would be France's Gerald Causse (54), current Presiding Bishop, an office previously held by Gary E. Stevenson and Robert D. Hales, among others. I don't know exactly what his Ancestry results would yield, but he has a definite Mediterranean look. In the Presidency of the Seventy there's Brazil's Ulisses Soares (59) and Peru's Juan Uceda (64).

From the General Authority Seventy, there's Claudio RM Costa (68), Walter F. Gonzalez (65), Marcos Aidukaitis (58), Benjamin de Hoyos (65), Enrique Falabella (67), Claudio D. Zivic (69), Michael John U. Teh (52), Eduardo Gavarrett (61), Carlos A. Godoy (57), Rafael E. Pino (62), Jose A. Teixeira (57), Jorge Zeballos (62), Yoon Hwan Choi (60), Joseph W. Sitati (65), Jose L. Alonso (59), O. Vincent Haleck (69), Kazuhiko Yamashita (64), Edward Dube (55), Arnulfo Valenzuela (58), and Chi Hong "Sam" Wong (55).

My guess?

MOST LIKELY WHITE AMERICANS:

W. Christopher Waddell

W. Christopher Waddell, Kevin J. Worthen, L. Whitney Clayton, Shayne M. Bowen, Henry J. Eyring, Kevin R. Duncan, Kevin W. Pearson, Stephen W. Owen, Clark Gilbert, Michael T. Ringwood

MOST LIKELY NON-WHITE AMERICANS:

Gerritt W. Gong, Hugo E. Martinez

MOST LIKELY WHITE NON-AMERICANS:

Patrick Kearon, Jorg Klebigat

MOST LIKELY NON-WHITE NON-AMERICANS:

Ulisses Soares

Ulisses Soares, Gerald Causse, Yoon Hawn Choi, Joseph W. Sitati, Benjamin de Hoyos, Juan Uceda

Eight Observations from #LDSConf October 2015

A lot to unpack from this October's General Conference, but first here it is in bullet-point format.

WOMEN'S SESSION

- Wixom focussed a lot on purity and virtue. Keep yourselves pure. Motherhood is the highest calling. Your divine nature is needed in this Church.
- Reeves had a similar thing. Stay away from sin and temptation. The trials in this life are worth the eternal life we'll gain in the next.
- McConkie testified about feeling God's love and urged women to remain pure and righteous.
- Uchtdorf told a story about learning to be happy in this life even when it doesn't work out the you'd hoped.

SATURDAY MORNING

- Uchtdorf told us to simplify, and he warned of people getting too curious on the internet, as there are sites out there that will ruin testimonies, and some of them are inaccurate or misleading.
- Ballard plugged "The Old Ship Zion" again, which makes me wonder if he's writing a book with that title to be on sale soon at Deseret Book. He also pointed out young children shouldn't bear their testimony in Fast & Testimony Meeting until they understand what they're really saying.
- Maynes used a story about clay on a potter's wheel to compare us to the clay and the Lord to the potter (to paraphrase Isaiah.)
- Marriott also referred to potter's clay in her talk and used the example of her daughter's death to illustrate how their family motto "It will all work out" does not mean "It will all work out now." The Lord has eternal perspective.
- Lawrence said we need to keep asking the Holy Ghost what we need to do to improve ourselves or be more righteous.
- Vinas spoke about overcoming afflictions and enduring to the end.
- Cook spoke about wickedness not being happiness, used a ship analogy, spoke about keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

- Hales told young people to be serious about dating in their 20's, and to pay their tithing and avoid debt.
- Holland gave a tribute to mothers, especially one who prayed for her gay son and he eventually was able to finish his mission.
- Foster gave this talk about how parents need to do everything they can to make sure their children have testimonies.
- Montoya spoke about how we can lighten each other's burdens, including "smile" and "express feelings of compassion to others."
- Stanfill spoke about internet critics being part of the great and spacious building.
- Martino said we may not get answers to our prayers when we want, but they will come, even if several years later.
- Oaks spoke about suffering, how we all have trials and Jesus understands them all.

PRIESTHOOD SESSION

- Andersen spoke about choosing to have faith and how fragile faith can be, so we must protect it.
- Bennett spoke about improving ourselves one step at a time.
- Uchtdorf praised faith and dismissed skepticism.
- Eyring said the Lord will help priesthood holders in whatever calling or assignment they're given.
- Monson emphasized keeping the commandments.

SUNDAY MORNING

- Monson spoke about keeping ourselves pure and being examples to others.
- Rasband was amazed that he was chosen as an Apostle.
- Stevenson also marvelled about being called.
- Renlund relayed a message about seeing others as God sees them.
- Nelson encouraged women to speak up more in church.
- Schwitzer said to stand up for what you believe and compared church critics to "great and spacious building" dwellers.
- Costa spoke about the sacrament and meditating on its meaning.
- Eyring spoke about relying on the Holy Ghost.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

- Christofferson addressed why we have a church, and what the institutional church can do.
- Durrant plugged the word "ponderize" as a way of making scriptures stick with us.
- Keetch told us to keep the commandments.
- Stephens told us to keep the commandments.
- Haynie said we need to keep ourselves clean.
- Clark spoke about how not all recognize the Savior's voice or hear His message.
- Aoyagi spoke about trials and how they forge who we are.
- Bednar spoke about how it's a good thing to have the church led by older, wiser men.

EIGHT OBSERVATIONS:

1. The health of Pres. Monson. It's pretty clear at this point that 88 years of age have caught up to President Thomas S. Monson. There's been speculation of dementia for years, and that it seems to come and go. This is the second Conference in a row where he's only spoken twice, and this is probably the last Conference where he'll speak standing, if at all. His Sunday morning talk started out strong but by the end, he was struggling to stand and kept getting caught in his words, repeating himself. He soldiered through, and Pres. Uchtdorf and another man were ready to catch him if needed. It made me reflect on and appreciate the lifetime of service that he's given. Can you imagine getting a call at age 36 and doing that thing for the rest of your life? It also brought to mind the time Russell M. Nelson held up Joseph B. Wirthlin who struggled to keep standing during one of his last talks.

The 1899 "Articles of Faith" laid out how a prophet could be released if he no longer had the physical or mental capacity to lead. It has yet to happen and likely never will. Presidents McKay, Kimball and Benson spent their final years unable to lead, so their counselors ran the Church. If this was the last time Pres. Monson speaks in public, he's gone out on a special note.

2. President Russell M. Nelson. Nelson is now the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. This is actually a big change. Boyd K. Packer had been President or Acting President of the Q12 for 21 years. Pres. Hunter kept Hinckley and Monson in the First Presidency when he became the new President of the Church in 1994.

In Nelson's first General Conference talk acting in this capacity, he addressed the women of the Church and how much the Church needs their voices, their examples and their participation. It seemed to foreshadow future possibilities of working women into more and more leadership roles. It was also the most sober talk I can remember Nelson giving when he thought about his three friends (Perry, Packer, Scott) who'd all passed away over the past six months.

3. "It is the same." More than one Apostle emphasized that they are speaking for Christ, so heed their words the same way you'd heed Christ's. Ballard quoted the scripture: "He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me" and then he added, "We cannot separate Christ from His servants." More than one speaker (Bednar was one) quoted the scripture where the Lord says: "Whether by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)

That's three General Conferences in a row that someone has used that verse in their talks, and there's a danger to it, an easy way for leaders to abuse it. No person has ever been able to take the Lord's agency, and there have been prophets and apostles past and present who have done or said things that I doubt the Lord agrees with. Each person the Lord calls to whatever position has their own agency; this is one reason why the LDS Church is to be led by common consent (though I'd argue it hasn't been for a long time.)

For example, more than once, Apostle George F. Richards gave talks in General Conference where he said that Negroes were less valiant in the pre-existence, and this is why black men couldn't hold the priesthood or African people get sealed in temples. Was this the voice of the Lord? No. But Richards was his servant. And yet his voice and the Lord's voice were not the same. We sustain the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, but it's still up to them to qualify for the Lord's guidance and do everything they can to in order to do His will. If Jesus has appeared to any of the FP/Q12, He hasn't spelled things out for them. They still have to work it out in their own minds. This may be why they haven't Prophesied, Seen, and Revealed much, or why we haven't had a new section in the D&C for almost a hundred years. They want to be absolutely sure.

4. The three new Apostles. Rasband and Stevenson were understandably overwhelmed and their talks sounded like thank-you speeches at award shows, but Renlund managed to work in a really touching story about a surgery where he failed to save a boy's life and how that affected him. I look forward to hearing more from these three and I think they're good additions to the Quorum. Are they the only three that the Lord wanted called? I don't believe so.

Studying how each Apostle has been called in this dispensation has taught me just how much personal relationships factor into a call. I do not believe that every man who's ever been called into the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve was God's will. Joseph Smith was quite naive when it came to certain leaders, most glaringly John C. Bennett.  He called other Apostles that wound up becoming bitter enemies of the Church like William McLellin. When Smith commissioned the Three Witnesses to call the original 12, they chose Phineas Young, Brigham's older brother, to be an Apostle, but Smith vetoed him in favor of his brother William. William wound up being a sore spot for the Church and his brother.

Did the Lord really want Brigham Young ordain so many of his own sons as Apostles, including one to be ordained at age 11? Did the Lord really want John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Joseph F. Smith to call their own sons too?

So when Pres. Monson called these three men, I believe he only extended the call after much prayer and contemplation, and after he had it confirmed to him that these would be good Apostles. I also believe that if he'd spent more time and prayer on some non-white and/or non-American candidates, we wouldn't have wound up with three more white guys from Utah. Again, I like all of them and sustain them, but FP/Q12 is still made up of fifteen white men, fourteen being American, and eleven being Utah born. This is a global church but it doesn't look like it at the top. Yes, it matters.

5. Faith v. Doubt. There has been increased rhetoric about how faith and doubt are incompatible. This was a Church started by a 14-year-old boy who had doubts and went to pray about them. When talking about questions, they're usually couched with modifiers. It's "honest questions" or "sincere questions." Many members have had honest or sincere questions that led to unresolved doubts or even oblitherations of testimony. But faith is what we believe in without proof, but is true. What happens if you have faith in something that is not true? For example, what if you believed that it was a trial of faith that it was God's will that blacks not receive the priesthood until 1978, and now the Church has admitted that it was never God's will? It's a conundrum for every member to face.

6. "Simplify." This is a much-needed message. We've set ourselves up a very busy church. Meetings and callings and home-teaching and visiting teaching and weekly activities and more meetings. The Church is set up so that if you wanted to, you could set up your entire social life to only involve other church members. But how can we proclaim the gospel or care for the needy if this is how we organize our lives?

7. Running times. The Priesthood Session keep ending earlier and earlier, I think to make it more like the Women's Session.

8. Talks by the Numbers. There were 39 talks over the six sessions. Now there are 15 of the FP/Q12, 7 of the Presidency of Seventy, 84 from the 1st & 2nd Quorums of Seventy, 3 from Presiding Bishopric, and 9 women and 6 men from the General Auxiliaries. How the talks were distributed:

- 7 by the First Presidency
- 12 by the Quorum of the Twelve
- 1 from Presidency of the Seventy
- 12 from the 1st or 2nd Quorum of Seventy
- 1 Emeritus Seventy
- 0 from Presiding Bishopric
- 5 women in General Auxiliary leadership
- 1 man in General Auxiliary leadership

Now usually there will be one talk from someone in the Presiding Bishopric and two from the Presidency of the Seventy, but Rasband and Stevenson both spoke, so there was an overlap. All five men who were called to the 1st Quorum of Seventy at last Conference spoke at this one.

Three New Apostles Called

All three of the new Apostles come across as good men who will be positive influences and leaders in the Church for the next three decades.

The last time there were three Apostles called in one General Conference was 1906. That time they had George F. Richards (45), Orson F. Whitney (50), and David O. McKay (32). I haven't been able to find why Richards had seniority over Whitney, but there was precedent to seniority not being determined by age when more than one Apostle is called at the same time. Now every time there's been two Apostles called, their seniority has been determined by age. (Kimball-Benson, Nelson-Oaks, Uchtdorf-Bednar).

This time the three Apostles called are Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson, and Dale G. Renlund. Stevenson is the youngest of the three, and my guess as to why Stevenson has seniority over Renlund is that Rasband and Stevenson were going to be the two new Apostles, but then the death of Richard G. Scott meant Pres. Monson wanted to find the third Apostle before General Conference. Or it could be deferrence to their previous Priesthood offices.

RONALD A. RASBAND (64) - He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served his mission in the Eastern States and attended the University of Utah. LeGrand Richards performed the marriage sealing for him and his wife Melanie. (LeGrand was her great-uncle; the previously mentioned apostle George F. Richards was her great-grandfather.)

Rasband became friends with Jon Huntsman Sr. and worked for him at his company. He eventually became the President/COO of Huntsman Chemical. He retired to serve as mission president of the New York New York North mission. He was called to the Seventy in 2000, and for the past ten years, he's been serving in the Presidency of the Seventy.

GARY E. STEVENSON (60) - He was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. He served his mission to Japan. He graduated from USU. He co-founded Icon Health & Fitness, the most successful manufacturer of gym and fitness equipment in the world. He later served as a mission president in Japan. He was called to the Seventy at Pres. Monson's first General Conference as prophet, and Stevenson was assigned to the Asia North area. He became the Presiding Bishop in 2012.

DALE G. RENLUND (62) - He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. His father was from Finland and his mother was from Sweden, and they emigrated to Utah so they could be marry in a temple. For three of his teen years, he moved with his parents back to Sweden. Later he was called to serve a mission in Sweden. He got a bachelor's in chemistry and an MD from University of Utah, then did his medical residency at Johns Hopkins University. he moved back to Utah to be the medical director for the Utah Transplantation Affiliated Hospitals Cardiac Transplant Program.

He married Ruth Lybbert, daughter of former Seventy Merlin R. Lybbert. She worked full-time as an attorney. When he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 2009, they were assigned to South Africa.

He's someone who can talk heart-transplant shop with Pres. Nelson or chemistry with Pres. Eyring. His talk also reflected that he'll be someone who can pick up the empathy gauntlet left by Elder Scott.

I will say that I was disappointed that all three Apostles were wealthy white men born in Utah, and I know that I am not alone. If you'd taken any of these two men and had the third be someone from South America or Africa or Asia, the world would be buzzing. I think the prophet takes certain people under consideration and prays about them and makes sure they would be good. I can only speculate that maybe if he'd prayed more about non-white and/or foreign-born considerations, maybe one of the three would be different. 60% of the membership of the LDS Church live outside of the United States, and I pray that eventually we'll see more diversity in the Brethren.

Guessing the Next Two Apostles

I did a previous post on guessing who the next Apostle might be, but we've hit a rare section in time in the LDS church when two Apostles will be called at the same time. This has happened before. Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar were called together in 2004. Russell M. Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks were called together in 1984 (though Oaks had to wait a month to be set apart). Before that you have to go back to Spencer W. Kimball and Ezra Taft Benson in 1943. When two Apostles are called the same day, the older one has seniority.

Never in the history of the LDS Church has an Apostle been called that the prophet wasn't already acquainted with on some level.

I wanted to expand the field in this post, look at a broader section of who it could be, and also take into account two being called at the same time. But first, let's look at the current 13, and where they came from. (By seniority)

THOMAS S. MONSON - Called to be an Apostle at age 36 in 1963. No one has been called that young since. He'd served as a bishop but more importantly as a mission president in Canada and then Editor of the Deseret News. He would have had regular contact with church leaders, allowing them to know him and consider him as a candidate when a vacancy arose. Monson in particularly worked with Gordon B. Hinckley, who ran the Church's public affairs before being called as an Apostle two years before Monson. Monson also at one point had Harold B. Lee for a stake president.
Career expertise: Publishing

RUSSELL M. NELSON - Called to be an Apostle at age 59 in 1984. He came about his service in a rare way. He performed open-heart surgery on Spencer W. Kimball in 1972, around the same time he was called to be Sunday School General President. He served in that calling for eight years and then a regional representative for four years when he was called to be an Apostle.
Career expertise: Medicine

DALLIN H. OAKS - Called to be an Apostle at age 51 in 1984. Oaks was well-known by the Brethren when they called him to be president of BYU, where he served for nine years. He then instantly joined the Utah Supreme Court but resigned from that once he was called to be an Apostle. Oaks was not currently serving in church leadership when he was called.
Career expertise: Law, Church Education

M. RUSSELL BALLARD - Called to be an Apostle two days before his 57th birthday in 1985. He was the grandson of apostle Hyrum M. Smith and great-grandson of Joseph F. Smith. On his other side, he was the grandson Melvin J. Ballard, who served for years in the Q12 with Gordon B. Hinckley's uncle Alonzo. He was a mission president when he was called to join the First Quorum of the Seventy, and he was in the Presidency of the Seventy when called to be an Apostle. At the time, Pres. Kimball and 1st Counselor Marion G. Romney were incapacitated, so this calling likely came from 2nd Counselor Hinckley as anyone else. Ballard's daughter married David B. Haight's grandson.
Career expertise: Business

RICHARD G. SCOTT - Called to be an Apostle at age 59 in 1988. His father worked closely with Ezra Taft Benson in Washington DC. He was a misson president, then a regional representative, then joined the First Quorum of Seventy, then in the Presidency of the Seventy when called.
Career expertise: Nuclear Science

ROBERT D. HALES - Called to be an Apostle at age 61 in 1994. He was called to the First Quorum of Seventy in 1976, then he served as Presiding Bishop the nine years leading up to his calling as Apostle and was considered key in balancing church finances in the 1980's and 1990's. He'd run several successful businesses before his calling.
Career expertise: Business

JEFFREY R. HOLLAND - Called to be an Apostle at age 53 in 1994. He succeeded Oaks as President of BYU. Nine years later he went straight from there to the First Quorum of Seventy. he also served as Commissioner of the Church Educations System (CES).
Career expertise: Church Education

HENRY B. EYRING - Called to be an Apostle at age 61 in 1995. He was the third Apostle in as many General Conferences to be called, and after him, the Church went nine years before another one was needed. He is married to Pres. Kimball's niece. He was president of Rick's College. He was a Commissioner of CES. He was a Counselor to Hales in the Presiding Bishopric, and he was in the First Quorum of Seventy when he was called to be an Apostle.
Career expertise: Business, Physics, Church Education

DIETER F. UCHTDORF - Called to be an Apostle at age 63 in 2004. He'd been a stake president, in the 2nd Quorum of Seventy, 1st Quorum of Seventy, then in Presidency of Seventy when called to be an Apostle.
Career expertise: Aviation, Business

DAVID A. BEDNAR - Called to be an Apostle ate age 51 in 2004. He succeeded Eyring as president of Ricks' College and helped transition it into BYU-Idaho. He was an area authority while he worked at BYUI.
Career expertise: Church Education

QUENTIN L. COOK - Called to be an Apostle at age 67 in 2007. His mother was a Kimball, so he's second-cousins with Spencer W. He was a missionary companion of Holland. He went from bishop to stake president to area authority to 2nd Quorum of Seventy to 1st Quorum of Seventy to Presidency of the Seventy to Apostle.
Career expertise: Business, Law

D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON - Called to be an Apostle at age 63 in 2008. Richard G. Scott was his mission president when he served his mission. He was called to the 1st Quorum of Seventy in 1993 and in the Presidency of the Seventy in 1998. He was executive director for the church's Family & Church History Department.
Career expertise: Law

NEIL L. ANDERSEN - Called to be an Apostle at age 57 in 2009. He'd been called the the 1st Quorum of Seventy in 1993 and into the Presidency of the Seventy in 2005.
Career expertise: Business

So these are their experiences and how they may have been known before they will called. One should expect there will be prior relationships for the new Apostles. So first let's look at the likely pool of talent.

THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY
Statistically it's a virtual guarantee that one of the two will come from this field, if not both. The Presidency of the Seventy works most closely and most often with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve than any other Seventy. Four of the last five Apostles called came from the Presidency of the Seventy. The Prophet will have a good idea of how these men could fit into the Quorum.

1. RONALD A. RASBAND (2/6/1951) worked as COO of Huntsman Chemical before being called as president of the New York New York Mission. Called to the 1st Quorum of the 70 in 2000 and has been in the Presidency of 70 since 2005. If he is not called as an Apostle, he'll likely be released this General Conference and go back to being the 1st Quorum of 70. Members of the Presidency of 70 do not tend to serve longer than ten years.
Career expertise: Business

2. L. WHITNEY CLAYTON (2/24/1950) was a partner at a law firm before his calling to the 1st Quorum of 70 in 2001. He served as assistant executive director to the Family & Church History Department with Christofferson. He helped Ballard and Cook with the church's efforts on Prop 8, and he was called to Presidency of the Seventy in 2008. He's said to have been involved with regional training that led to more high-profile excommunications like Kate Kelly and John Dehlin. I think if he were selected, he'd be more in the Packer/Ballard retrenchment mold of Apostle.
Career expertise: Law

3. DONALD L. HALLSTROM (7/27/1949) was born and raised in Hawaii and worked in real estate out there. He was president of the Honolulu Hawaii stake before getting called as a regional representative, then area authority, then to the 1st Quorum of Seventy in 2000. He's been in the Presidency since 2009.
Career expertise: Real Estate, Finance

4. RICHARD J. MAYNES (10/29/1950) played basketball at BYU before graduating from there in business management. He went on to be CEO of Fountain Fresh Intl. He was a mission president in Mexico Monterrey and was called to the 2nd Quorum of 70 in 1997, moved to 1st Quorum in 2001, and joined the Presidency in 2012.
Career expertise: Business

5. CRAIG C. CHRISTENSEN (3/18/1956) played football at BYU before graduating from there in accounting. He later got an MBA and after buying some companies, he taught at BYU. He was a mission president for Mexico Mexico City and was called to 2nd Quorum of 70 in 2002, then moved to 1st Quorum in 2008 before being called to Presidency in 2012.
Career expertise: Business

6. ULISSES SOARES (10/2/1958) is our first non-American option. He was born and raised in Sao Paolo, Brazil. He earned his MBA and after working at a tire company, he got a job as a senior auditor before becoming director of temporal affairs for the LDS Church's Brazil South area. He was a mission president in Portugal and he joined the 1st Quorum of 70 in 2005 before joining the Presidency in 2013.
Career expertise: Business, Finance

7. LYNN G. ROBBINS (10/27/1952) was one of the co-founders of Franklin Quest, which later became FranklinCovey. He was a mission president in Uruguay Montevideo and was then called to the 2nd Quorum of 70 in 1997. He moved to 1st Quorum of 70 in 2000 and joined the Presidency in 2014.
Career expertise: Business

There are 63 member of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and 21 members in the 2nd Quorum, so I won't profile them all. I'll just focus on ones I think are likely under consideration.

PRESIDING BISHOPRIC
But first, it's been a while since someone from the Presiding Bishopric was called as an Apostle, so I'll profile those three next.

GARY E. STEVENSON, 59, served his mission in Japan and later went back as president of the Japan Nagoya mission. He was the COO of ICON Health. He was called to the 1st Quorum of 70 in 2008 but then called as Presiding Bishop in 2012.
Career expertise: Business

GERALD CAUSEE, 51, was born in France, and after getting his MBA, he worked as a general manager for Ponoma, France's largest food distributor. He was a stake president and area authority before being called into the 1st Quorum of 70 in 2008. He became 1st Counselor in Presiding Bishopric in 2012.
Career expertise: Business

DEAN M. DAVIES, 64, served his mission in Uruguay and Paraguay before being president of the Puerto Rico San Juan mission. He worked in real estate and construction before Pres, Hinckley asked him to work for the church, overseeing construction of churches and temples. He was then called to be 2nd counselor in 2012.
Career expertise: Real Estate

Now to explore possibilities in the 1st and 2nd Quorums of Seventy. I will highlight different regions of the world and who might come from there. The year is when they were called to the Seventy.

AFRICA
2013 - Edward Dube - 5/12/1962 - 53 - Zimbabwe
2001 - Christoffel Golden - 6/1/1952 - 63 - South Africa
2009 - Joseph W. Sitati - 5/16/1952 - 63 - Kenya

Joseph W. Sitati joined the church in 1986. He was the first black African general authority. He was the first stake president of Kenya. He worked in the oil and gas industry before working as the director of the church's public affairs in Africa. He was president of the Nigeria Uyo mission before getting called to the Seventy. If someone from Africa is called, I'd give him the edge.

However, Edward Dube is ten years younger and if they want to make the Quorum younger (Bednar is the youngest Apostle, at age 63), I could see them going with him. He joined the church in 1984 and served a mission in South Africa and Zimbabwe two years later. He worked in CES in Zimbabwe for the church and was president of the Zimbabwe Harare mission.

ASIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS
2009 - Yoon Hwan Choi - 5/18/1957 - 58 - South Korea
2007 - Michael John U. Teh - 6/25/1965 - 50 - Philippines
2014 - Chi Hong (Sam) Wong - 5/25/1962 - 53 - Hong Kong
2011 - Kazuhiko Yamashita - 9/1/1953 - 61 - Japan
2009 - Koichi Aoyagi - 3/24/1945 - 70 - Japan
2011 - O. Vincent Haleck - 1/1/1949 - 66 - Samoa

Chi Hong (Sam) Wong was the first speaker in General Conference to give his address in a language other than English (Cantonese). Wong hails from Hong Kong. He joined the church in 1982 and went to school and BYU-Hawaii before moving back to Hong Kong. his background is in business, but his unique perspective could really help the church open up China.

Michael John U. Teh would be younger than Bednar was when he was called. He's the second Filipino to be a general authority, and he's spent his career working for the church, lastly as a manager for their statistical records division.

Yoon Hwan Choi is currently president of the Washington Seattle mission. Kazuhiko Yamashita is currently president of the Japan Nagoya mission.

AUSTRALIA
2011 - Ian S. Ardern - 2/28/1954 - 61 - New Zealand
2013 - Terence M. Vinson - 5/1/1951 - 64 - Australia

Ian S. Ardern works for CES in New Zealand, and he was president of the Fiji Suva mission.

EUROPE
2006 - David S. Baxter - 2/7/1955 - 60 - United Kingdom
2010 - Patrick Kearon - 7/18/1961 - 54 - United Kingdom
2014 - Jorg Klebingat - 12/19/1967 - 47 - Germany
2007 - Erich W. Kopischke - 10/20/1956 - 58 - Germany
2008 - Jose A. Teixeira - 2/24/1961 - 54 - Portugal
1996 - Francisco J. Vinas - 12/28/1946 - 68 - Spain
2010 - Per G. Malm - 9/12/1948 - 66 - Sweden

Jorg Klebingat is the youngest of all the General Authorities, but I have a hard time seeing them pick a second German. He's lived in the US for a few years though as a business consultant, got his masters from BYU, before he was called to be president of the Ukraine Kyiv mission.

Jose A. Teixeira is the first G.A. from Portugal, and he's worked as an international controller for the church's finances in Europe and Asia.

CENTRAL AMERICA
2011 - Jose L. Alonso - 11/17/1958 - 56 - Mexico
2005 - Benjamin De Hoyos - 2/20/1953 - 62 - Mexico
2007 - Enrique R. Falabella - 5/1/1950 - 65 - Guatemala
2006 - Daniel L. Johnson - 12/15/1946 - 68 - Mexico
2013 - Arnulfo Valenzuela - 5/1/1959 - 56 - Mexico

Benjamin De Hoyos has worked as a CES employee and also as president of the Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez mission.

Jose L. Alonso was a pediatrician. Enrique R. Falabella was an agronomical engineer.

SOUTH AMERICA
2005 - Marcos A. Aidukaitis - 8/30/1959 - 55 - Brazil
2001 - Claudio R.M. Costa - 3/25/1949 - 66 - Brazil
2008 - Eduardo Gavarrett - 5/11/1956 - 59 - Uruguay
2008 - Carlos A. Godoy - 2/4/1961 - 54 - Brazil
2001 - Walter F. Gonzalez - 11/18/1952 - 62 - Uruguay
2008 - Rafael E. Pino - 10/27/1955 - 59 - Venezuela
2010 - Juan A. Uceda - 7/10/1953 - 62 - Peru
2008 - Jorge F. Zeballos - 7/19/1955 - 60 - Chile
2007 - Claudio D. Zivic - 12/19/1948 - 66 - Argentina
2010 - Jairo Mazzagardi - 4/10/1947 - 68 - Brazil

If you told me that of the two new Apostles, the older one was foreign-born, I'd guess Claudio R.M. Costa above all others. He's worked in CES in Brazil and was president of the Brazil Manaus mission. On the other hand, he was released from the Presidency of Seventy after only four years, so maybe he missed his window.

Walter F. Gonzalez was in the Presidency of 70 for six years. He went to school in Argentina and Ecuador and later served as president over one of the Ecudaor missions. He also worked for CES in Ecuador.

Juan A. Uceda worked for CES in Peru before moving to New Jersey in 2003 to help his father with his business.

Marcos A. Aidukaitis was born in Brazil but has a Lithuanian father who lived his first few years in Scotland. Aiukaitis graduated from BYU and served in many capacities in Brazil.

NORTH AMERICA
1st Q70
2003 - Marvyn B. Arnold - 7/19/1948 - 67 - USA-UT
2006 - Shayne M. Bowen - 8/29/1954 - 60 - USA-ID
2006 - Craig A. Cardon - 12/30/1948 - 66 - USA-AZ
2006 - Don R. Clarke - 12/11/1945 - 69 - USA-ID
2015 - Kim B. Clark - 3/20/1949 - 66 - USA-UT
2011 - Carl B. Cook - 10/15/1957 - 57 - USA-UT
2008 - Lawrence E. Corbridge - 4/6/1949 - 66 - USA-ID
2011 - LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. - 8/1/1952 - 62 - USA-UT
2010 - Kevin R. Duncan - 10/6/1960 - 54 - USA-UT
2012 - Larry J. Echo Hawk - 8/2/1948 - 66 - USA-WY (Pawnee)
2012 - Stanley G. Ellis - 1/22/1947 - 68 - USA-ID
2005 - David F. Evans - 8/11/1951 - 63 - USA-UT
2012 - Robert C. Gay - 9/1/1951 - 63 - USA-CA
2010 - Gerrit W. Gong - 12/23/1953 - 61 - USA-CA (Chinese)
2005 - C. Scott Grow - 5/1/1948 - 67 - USA-ID
2008 - James J. Hamula - 11/20/1957 - 57 - USA-CA
2015 - Allen D. Haynie - 8/29/1958 - 56 - USA-UT
2005 - Paul V. Johnson - 6/24/1954 - 61 - USA-FL
2015 - Von G. Keetch - 3/17/1960 - 55 - USA-UT
2015 - Hugo Montoya - 4/2/1960 - 55 - USA-CA (Latino)
2006 - Marcus B. Nash - 3/26/1957 - 58 - USA-WA
2013 - S. Gifford Nielsen - 10/25/1954 - 60 - USA-UT
2009 - Brent H. Nielson - 12/8/1954 - 60 - USA-ID
2008 - Allan F. Packer - 7/7/1948 - 67 - USA-UT
2008 - Kevin W. Pearson - 4/10/1957 - 58 - USA-UT
2006 - Anthony D. Perkins - 7/22/1960 - 55 - USA-CO
2005 - Paul B. Pieper - 10/7/1957 - 57 - USA-ID
1995 - Bruce D. Porter - 9/18/1952 - 62 - USA-NM
2009 - Dale G. Renlund - 11/1/1952 - 62 - USA-UT
2009 - Michael T. Ringwood - 2/14/1958 - 57 - USA-UT
2001 - Steven E. Snow - 11/23/1949 - 65 - USA-UT
2015 - Vern P. Stanfill - 8/8/1957 - 57 - USA-MT
2011 - W. Christopher Waddell - 6/28/1959 - 56 - USA-CA
2012 - Scott D. Whiting - 4/1/1961 - 54 - USA-UT
1995 - W. Craig Zwick - 6/30/1947 - 68 - USA-UT

2nd Q70
2009 - Wilford W. Andersen - 8/22/1949 - 65 - USA-AZ
2011 - Randall K. Bennett - 6/1/1955 - 60 - Canada
2009 - Bruce A. Carlson - 10/3/1949 - 65 - USA-MN
2011 - J. Devn Cornish - 4/12/1951 - 64 - USA-UT
2013 - Timothy J. Dyches - 1/1/1951 - 64 - USA-UT
2009 - Bradley D. Foster - 1/1/1949 - 66 - USA-ID
2013 - Randy D. Funk - 8/1/1952 - 62 - USA-UT
2013 - Kevin S. Hamilton - 3/1/1955 - 60 - USA-WA
2014 - Larry S. Kacher - 2/12/1952 - 63 - USA-MN
2010 - Larry R. Lawrence - 8/25/1947 - 67 - USA-MD
2014 - Hugo E. Martinez - 1/10/1957 - 58 - Puerto Rico
2009 - James R. Martino - 3/28/1951 - 64 - USA-TX
2013 - Adrian Ochoa - 3/3/1954 - 61 - USA-CA (Latino)
2009 - Kent F. Richards - 2/25/1946 - 69 - USA-UT
2009 - Gregory A. Schwitzer - 4/2/1948 - 67 - USA-UT
2011 - Larry Y. Wilson - 12/31/1949 - 65 - USA-UT

Michael T. Ringwood is Russell M. Nelson's son-in-law.

Of the five non-Anglo-Saxon 70's, Larry J. Echo Hawk is the oldest and Hugo Montoya is the youngest.

Now to start narrowing these down into those I think are most likely, and I realize much of this may be similar to when I was speculating over one Apostle. I think the most likely combination will be one American and one non-American.

FAVORITES IF SENIOR APOSTLE IS FOREIGN

1. CLAUDIO R.M. COSTA - 66 - Brazil
2. WALTER F. GONZALEZ - 62 - Uruguay
3. JOSEPH W. SITATI - 62 - Kenya
4. BENJAMIN DE HOYOS - 62 - Mexico
5. JUAN A. UCEDA - 62 - Peru

I still give the edge to Costa if they go this route. They're familiar with him, and Brazil's the 5th most populous country in the world.

FAVORITE IF JUNIOR APOSTLE IS FOREIGN

1. ULISSES SOARES - 56 - Brazil
2. EDWARD DUBE - 53 - Zimbabwe
3. CHI HONG (SAM) WONG - 53 - Hong Kong
4. MICHAEL JOHN U. TEH - 50 - Philippines
5. GERALD CAUSEE - 51 - France

Any of these Apostles would open doors, but Soares seems to be in the right position.

FAVORITE IF SENIOR APOSTLE IS AMERICAN

1. RONALD A. RASBAND - 64
2. DONALD L. HALLSTROM - 66
3. GERRITT W. GONG - 61
4. SHAYNE M. BOWEN - 60
5. L. WHITNEY CLAYTON - 65

Rasband seems the most groomed, but to have a Chinese-American like Gong would be an interesting choice. I think Clayton has his fans in the Q12, but there'd be a wave of resignations if he was made an Apostle.

FAVORITE IF JUNIOR APOSTLE IS AMERICAN

1. JAMES J. HAMULA - 57
2. CRAIG C. CHRISTENSEN - 59
3. GARY E. STEVENSON - 59
4. HUGO MONTOYA - 55
5. SCOTT D. WHITING - 54

Hamula's been working on how best to increase baptisms now that there are more missionaries in the world, so I could see him as a strong possibility. Christensen's the youngest American in the Presidency of the 70.

IF BOTH APOSTLES ARE FOREIGN, SOME DARK HORSES...

6. MARCOS A. AIDUKAITIS - 55 - Brazil
7. IAN S. ARDERN - 61 - New Zealand
8. KAZUHIKO YAMASHITA - 61 - Japan
9. JOSE A. TEIXEIRA - 54 - Portugal
10. O. VINCENT HALECK - 66 - Samoa

IF BOTH APOSTLES ARE AMERICAN, SOME DARK HORSES...

6. ALLAN F. PACKER - 67
7. KIM B. CLARK - 66
8. LARRY J. ECHO HAWK - 66
9. JAMES R. MARTINO - 54
10. S. GIFFORD NIELSEN - 60

AND SOME NON-GENERAL AUTHORITY POSSIBILITES

11. DAVID L. BECK - 62 - Former Young Men's General President
12. KEVIN J. WORTHEN - 59 - President of BYU
13. MARLIN K. JENSEN - 73 - Emeritus General Authority
14. CRAIG P. BURTON - 62 - Former mission president; husband of Linda K. Burton
15. RICHARD E. TURLEY - 49 - Church historian

BET ALL YOUR MONEY IT'S NOT ONE OF THESE

16. ANY WOMAN
17. W. MITT ROMNEY - Former stake president
18. JOHN SWALLOW - Former bishop
19. MITCH MAYNE - Former executive secretary
20. JOHN T. ENGLISH - Former executive secretary

Called by Thomas S. Monson

Thomas S. Monson was only 36 when he was called to be an Apostle, and never since has one so young been called. He was 80 when he became prophet. He'd been in the First Presidency for the three previous prophets, so he was ready and prepared to take over.

First Presidency in 2008:
Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quorum of the Twelve in 2008:
Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry,
Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks,
M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin,
Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales,
Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar,
Quentin L. Cook...

Called to be Apostles by Thomas S. Monson:
D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Anderson

D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON
(January 24, 1945 - )

Apostle - April 5, 2008

Christofferson was born in American Fork, Utah, and lived most of his childhood in Utah Valley until his family moved to New Jersey. He served his mission in Argentina where Richard G. Scott was his mission president.

He got his bachelors from BYU and a JD from Duke. He clerked for Judge John J. Sirica during Watergate's hearings. He worked at law firms or as corporate counsel in a few different states.

He served as a bishop, stake president and regional representative before being called to the First Quorum of the Seventy. Right before he called to be an Apostle, he wrote an Ensign article about not just Apostles, but every member of the church has the capacity to stand as a witness for Christ.

He's been part of the effort to improve the church's relations with the LGBT community through Mormonsandgays.org. (His brother is gay.) He's one to watch.

NEIL L. ANDERSEN
(August 9, 1951 - )

Apostle - April 4, 2009

Andersen was born in Logan, Utah, and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. He served his mission in France. He got his bachelors from BYU and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He worked as a vice-president at a health-care business before returning to France as a mission president.

About a year after being released as mission president, he was called into the Seventy. He was in the Presidency of the Seventy when Joseph B. Wirthlin died, and Pres. Monson called Andersen to join the Q12. He's currently 63. He is the most recent Apostle to be called to the Q12.

----

General Conference is this weekend. Here's a look at the age-breakdown of the current Fifteen, including their seniority.

In Their 90's:
L. Tom Perry (92) - 3rd
Russell M. Nelson (90) - 4th
Boyd K. Packer (90) - 2nd

In Their 80's:
Thomas S. Monson (87) - 1st
M. Russell Ballard (85) - 6th
Richard G. Scott (85) - 7th
Dallin H. Oaks (82) - 5th
Robert D. Hales (82) - 8th
Henry B. Eyring (81) - 10th

In Their 70's:
Quentin L. Cook (74) - 13th
Dieter F. Uchtdorf (73) - 11th
Jeffrey R. Holland (73) - 9th

In Their 60's:
D. Todd Christofferson (69) - 14th
Neil L. Andersen (63) - 15th
David A. Bednar (62) - 12th

Called by Gordon B. Hinckley

After the death of Pres. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley became the next President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Hinckley had been in the First Presidency for the previous three prophets, and he had the bulk of the responsibility when each of those leaders became hindered by old age. He served for over 12 years, and he was the oldest prophet in church history when he died at age 97. His First Presidency of the first ten years with Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust was the longest a First Presidency had ever gone without a change.

Called to be Apostles by Gordon B. Hinckley:
Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook

HENRY B. EYRING
(May 31, 1933 - )

Apostle - April 1, 1995
Second Counselor - October 6, 2007
First Counselor - February 3, 2008

Eyring was born in New Jersey, the son of the president of the Amiercan Chemical Society and nephew by marriage to Spencer W. Kimball, who became an Apostle when Eyring was ten years old. During World War II, with gas rationing, his family would hold church services in their home, often by themselves.

He served in the US Air Force for two years and served as a district missionary while he was stationed in New Mexico. He got his Bachelors in physics from the University of Utah, and his Masters and Doctorate from Harvard Business School. He's had professor jobs at Stanford and MIT, and he served as President of Ricks College.

He was the first Apostle called by Pres. Hinckley, and no others were needed for nine years, the longest span the church has ever gone without a change to the Q12.  After the death of James E. Faust, Hinckley called him to be his new second counselor. When Pres. Monson took over, he made Eyring his first counselor.

DIETER F. UCHTDORF
(November 6, 1940 - )

Apostle - October 2, 2004
Second Counselor - February 3, 2008

Uchtdorf was born in Nazi-occupied Ostrava (now the Czech Republic). They moved to East Germany, but he and his family fled to West Germany around 1950. He studied in Switzerland, earning an MBA there.

He volunteered for the West German Air Force, and he trained in Texas to be a fighter pilot. He made his career working for Lufthansa.

He and David A. Bednar were called to be Apostles the same day, but he has seniority. He's the first German apostle, and the first one not from North America since John A. Widtsoe died in 1952. When Pres. Monson became prophet, he called Uchtdorf into the First Presidency. Said Uchtdorf: "This is truly an international church."

DAVID A. BEDNAR
(June 15, 1952 - )

Apostle - October 7, 2004

Bednar was born in Oakland, California. His mother was a member but his father was not. (His father joined the church when Bednar was in his late-twenties.) He served his mission in Germany. He got his Masters from BYU and a doctorate from Purdue. He worked as professor or dean at University of Arkansas and Texas Tech University until he got a job as president of Ricks College, transitioning it into BYU-Idaho.

While he was still BYU-I's president, he along with Uchtdorf were called to be Apostles after the deaths of Neal A. Maxwell and David B. Haight. He is still the youngest member of the Q12 at age 62.

QUENTIN L. COOK
(September 8, 1940 - )

Apostle - October 6, 2007

Cook was the son of J. Vernon Cook and Bernice Kimball, a great-granddaughter of Heber C. Kimball. He was born and raised in Logan, Utah. He served his mission in England (companions with Jeffrey R. Holland at one point). He went to school at Utah State and then Stanford Law School.

He worked in corporate law in California for decades, then became CEO of two different health-care companies. He served as a bishop, stake president, regional representative and Area Seventy. While a Seventy, he was a counselor over the Philippines Area.

He was called to be an Apostle at age 67, after the death of James E. Faust.

Called by Howard W. Hunter

Howard W. Hunter was in poor health when he became prophet. In his nine months, he only presided over one General Conference, and though he couldn't walk on his own anymore, he was still able to speak and travel to many different countries spreading the Gospel. He also only had the chance to call one Apostle.

JEFFREY R. HOLLAND
(December 3, 1940 - )

Apostle - June 23, 1994

Holland was born and raised in St, George, Utah. He served his mission in England and was at one point the companion of Quentin L. Cook, a future Apostle.

He was an athlete. At Dixie High, he helped them take state in football and basketball. He played basketball at Dixie College after his mission. He transferred to BYU to get his Masters in religious education. He later got a PhD from Yale in American Studies.

He worked at BYU as the Dean of Religious Education, and he then replaced Dallin H. Oaks as President of BYU in 1980. He resigned when he was called to join the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1989.

He was called to be an Apostle at age 53, eight years younger than any other Apostle at that time. In his time, he helped develop the Preach my Gospel program. He boosted the church in Chile by living there from 2002-2004. He was commissioned with improving the church in Africa in 2012. His talks are usually a highlight of General Conference. He's currently 73.

Called by Ezra Taft Benson

Ezra Taft Benson was a political conservative and often gave talks as a voice of warning against the sins of the world and against godless communism as an apostle. When he became prophet, his message more focussed on love and on a renewed emphasis in studying the Book of Mormon. This attitude was evident in the men he called to be Apostles. He was prophet for nine years, but the last four of them, his health problems were such that he was rarely seen in public.

First Presidency in 1985:
Ezra Taft Benson
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson

Quorum of the Twelve in 1985:
Marion G. Romney, Howard W. Hunter,
Boyd K. Packer, Marvin J. Ashton,
L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight,
James E. Faust, Neal A. Maxwell,
Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks,
M. Russell Ballard...

Called to be Apostles by Ezra Taft Benson:
Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales

JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN
(June 11, 1917 - December 1, 2008)

Apostle - October 4, 1986

Wirthlin was a first cousin to Gordon B. Hinckley and they grew up in the same ward. He served a mission in Europe (1936-1939) and played running back at the University of Utah. He married Elisa Rogers in 1941 and had eight children.

He served as a stake presidency counselor and on a stake high council. He served as a bishop at the same time his father Joseph L. Wirthlin was the Presiding Bishop of the church. He was the last person to be called as an assistant to the Q12 before the position was eliminated. He then became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.

Upon Pres. Kimball's death, Wirthlin was the first Apostle that the new Pres. Benson called. He often focussed on improving spirituality, with talks like "The Virtue of Kindness" and "Seeking the Good." He died at age 91. He is the most recent Apostle to die; all others called after him are still alive.

RICHARD G. SCOTT
(November 7, 1928 - )

Apostle - October 1, 1988

Richard's father Kenneth Scott was not a member of the LDS church when he went to work for Ezra Taft Benson in the US Department of Agriculture. Benson helped convert him to the Gospel, and thirty years later, Benson was able to call Kenneth's son as an Apostle.

Richard wasn't very active until he started dating Jeanine Watkins, daughter of Senator Arthur Watkins. Jeanine said she'd only marry a returned missionary, so he went on a mission to Uruguay and married her when he returned.

He worked as a nuclear engineer. He helped develop the first commercial nuclear power plant.

He was called to be an Apostle at age 59. He can speak Spanish and Portugese and he will record his talks in those two languages before each General Conference so those listening to translators while they watch live will hear his voice. He's known for his compassion and empathy in his talks.

ROBERT D. HALES
(August 24, 1932 - )

Apostle - April 2, 1994

Hales was born in New York City, raised in Queens. He was a pilot in the US Air Force and made his living in high executive positions at many different companies.

He was the Presiding Bishop for nine years before being called to be an Apostle. A few years ago he had two heart attacks and several surgeries, and while it appeared he might not have much longer, he's been able to fully perform his duties the past few years. He's currently 82.

Called by Spencer W. Kimball

Spencer W. Kimball was a small, soft-spoken man, but he was able to guide the church to stability after his two predecessors' combined service was less than four years. He preached for church members to do better, do more, just "do it." In his 12 years as prophet, church membership went from 3.3 to 5.9 million. He had the chance to call seven Apostles during his tenure and you can see the variety in the selections.

First Presidency in 1973:
Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
Marion G. Romney

Quorum of the Twelve in 1973:
Ezra Taft Benson, Mark E. Petersen,
Delbert L. Stapley, LeGrand Richards,
Hugh B. Brown, Howard W. Hunter,
Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson,
Boyd K. Packer, Marvin J. Ashton,
Bruce R. McConkie...

Called to be Apostles by Spencer W. Kimball:
L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight,
James E. Faust, Neal A. Maxwell,
Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks,
M. Russell Ballard

L. TOM PERRY
(August 5, 1922 - )

Apostle - April 11, 1974

Perry was born and raised in Logan, Utah. He got his degree in finance from the future Utah State University in Logan. His father was the bishop of their ward his entire eighteen years of childhood.

He served a mission in the Northern States, and afterwards went right into the US Marine Corps. He was in the Battle of Saipan in 1944. He remained stationed on that island for a year, even built an LDS chapel while he was there. He also helped occupy Nagasaki after the Japanese surrender to officially end WWII.

He married Virginia Lee in 1947 and they had three children. She died in 1974 and he remarried to Barbara Dayton in 1976.

Perry was 51 when called to be an Apostle and he is currency the oldest member of the Q12, at age 92.

DAVID B. HAIGHT
(September 2, 1906 - July 31, 2004)

Apostle - January 8, 1976

Haight was born in Idaho. He joined the Navy and was a WWII vet. After the war he moved to Palo Alto, California, to run a hardware store. He became mayor of Palo Alto but resigned when he was called to president of the Scotland mission.

He's the father-in-law of philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr. and the grandfather of former Utah governor Jon Huntsman Jr.

Haight has the record for being the oldest Apostle in this dispensation, dying less than five weeks before his 99th birthday. He and Neal A. Maxwell died less than two weeks apart.

JAMES E. FAUST
(July 31, 1920 - August 10, 2007)

Apostle - October 1, 1978
Second Counselor - March 12, 1995

Faust was born in Delta, Utah, but moved to south Salt Lake before his high school years. he played football and ran track. He ran track at the University of Utah as well. He served in the Army during WWII. He married his wife Ruth Wright in 1943 while on leave.

After graduating the U of U, he worked as a lawyer and became president of the Utah Bar Association. He served a term in the Utah legislature as a Democrat and became chair of the Utah Democratic Party.

While as a seventy he was called to preside over the Brazil area. The San Paolo Brazil temple was announced while he was there and he later became an honorary citizen of Brazil.

He became an Apostle at age 58, and upon the death of Pres. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley called him to be part of his First Presidency. The twelve years of Hinckley, Monson and Faust were the longest a First Presidency (http://jerlsguy.blogspot.com/2014/08/lds-first-presidency-chronology.html)  had ever gone without a change. He died at age 87.

NEAL A. MAXWELL
(July 6, 1926 - July 21, 2004)

Apostle - July 23, 1981

Maxwell was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, shortly after his parents had moved there and joined the church. Like many called around his age, he was a WWII veteran; he served in the Army and was at Okinawa. After the war, he served a mission to Canada. He then married Colleen Hinckley (cousin of Gordon).

He graduated from the University of Utah in political science and later worked there as a professor while serving as bishop of a student ward. In 1970, Pres. Lee called him to be commissioner of the Church Eucational System.

He was called to be an Apostle when Gordon B. Hinckley was made a counselor in Kimball's First Presidency. He was poetic and insightful in his talks. Some of them felt like they could be extra chapters of Proverbs or Eccleciastes.

He was first diagnosed with leukemia in 1996 but he managed to hang on until 2004, dying at age 78.

RUSSELL M. NELSON
(September 9, 1924 - )

Apostle - April 7, 1984

Nelson made his living as a heart surgeon. he was part of the team that made the first heart-lung machine. He was the first doctor in Utah to successfully perform open-heart surgery using the machine. He was also the first surgeon in Utah to perform a cardiopulmonary bypass.

Nelson served in a M*A*S*H* unit during the Korean War and was later stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He married Dantzel White, and they had nine daughters and one son.

In 1972, he performed open-heart surgery on then-apostle Spencer W. Kimball. Before the surgery he received a witness that it would be successful, that Kimball would go on to be president of the church (which seemed unlikely given his age and health compared to Lee's).

When Mark E. Petersen and LeGrand Richard both died, Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks were called the same day to the Q12, but Oaks couldn't be ordained for another month as he wrapped up aspects of his public life.

Nelson's wife died in 2005, and in 2006 he married BYU professor Wendy Watson. He turned 90 earlier this month.

DALLIN H. OAKS
(August 12, 1932 - )

Apostle - May 3, 1984

Dallin was born in Provo, but his father died when he was just seven years old. Afterwards his mother pursued her graduate degree at Columbia University and moved back to Utah to become the first woman to serve on the Provo City Council.

He was in the National Guard during the Korean War but was never called up.

He studied the law, and he clerked with US Supreme Court justice Earl Warren. He practiced law in Chicago before becoming a professor at University of Chicago Law School. He left there when he was appointed to be the next president of BYU. After nine years there, he was then appointed to the Utah Supreme Court. He served there until his resignation, when he'd been called to be an Apostle. he and Nelson were sustained the same day, but Oaks was actually ordained a month later while he wrapped up some judiciary commitments. He would've been behind Nelson in seniority anyway, being eight years younger.

His law background comes through in his talks, as he often tackles the details of different gospel aspects. At age 82, he's the most senior apostle that is still younger than 87-year-old Pres. Monson.

M. RUSSELL BALLARD
(October 8, 1928 - )

Apostle - October 6, 1985

Both of Ballard's grandfathers are former Apostles - Melvin J. Ballard (who died when he was 11) and Hyrum M. Smith (who died before he was born). This makes Ballard the great-grandson of Joseph F. Smith and the great-great-grandson of Hyrum Smith, Joseph's brother.

Ballard was born in Salt Lake City and served his mission in England. He later served as president of the Canada Toronto Mission.

He didn't know he was going to be an Apostle until the morning of General Conference, when Pres. Hinckley called him to his office (on behalf of Pres. Kimball).

Ballard has made missionary service one of his main themes, often giving talks to missionaries and to member on how to better help the missionaries spread the Gospel. He turns 86 next month.

Side Note:
When Neal A. Maxwell died on July 21, 2004, and David B. Haight died on July 31, 2004, it was a rough time for me. My daughter died on July 22, 2004, and whenever I'd see how much publicity and outpouring they'd receive, part of me would get jealous. People would say "I pray for their families" and I wanted to say "Yeah, but they had full lives! Taleah didn't see her 4th birthday!" Since then, I've just been able to appreciate their lives, and in her own way, Taleah lives on.

Called by Joseph Fielding Smith

Joseph Fielding Smith was the grandson of Hyrum Smith, killed 134 years before Joseph became prophet. Joseph was the oldest to ever assume the office of President of the LDS Church, at age 93. Despite his advanced age he was able to travel the world and speak at every General Conference.

First Presidency in 1970:
Joseph Fielding Smith
Harold B. Lee
N. Eldon Tanner

Quorum of the Twelve in 1970:
Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson,
Mark E. Petersen, Delbert L. Stapley,
Marion G. Romney, LeGrand Richards,
Richard L. Evans, Hugh B. Brown,
Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley,
Thomas S. Monson...

Called to be Apostles by Joseph Fielding Smith:
Boyd K. Packer, Marvin J. Ashton

BOYD K. PACKER
(September 10, 1924 - )

Apostle - April 9, 1970
President of Q12 - February 3, 2008

Packer was a pilot in the US Air Force, and he flew many bombing missions in the Pacific during World War II. After the war he married his wife Donna and they had 10 children together. He became a teacher, and he worked his way up the Church Educational System.

He was only 45 when David O. McKay died and Pres. Smith called him to be an Apostle.

He acted as an advisor to the Genesis Group before and after the 1978 lifting of the priesthood ban. He was fourth in seniority when Pres. Hunter became prophet, but he was Acting President of the Q12 since the other three were all in the First Presidency.

He drew controversy in the 1980's when he cautioned LDS historians to not promote history which would harm the Church. He's generally seen as one of the Q12's more hardline Apostles. Most of the September Six who were excommunicated in 1993 have said they believe Packer was instrumental in chasing them out of the church.

His health has been in decline, and although he hasn't been able to stand at General Conference for a few years now, his mind is fine and he can still speak at every one. He turned 90 earlier this month, and if Pres. Monson died today, Packer would be in line as the next prophet.

MARVIN J. ASHTON
(May 6, 1915 - February 25, 1994)

Apostle - December 2, 1971

Ashton was the son of a general authority, born and raised in Salt Lake City. He served a mission in Great Britain, and Hugh B. Brown was his president.

He worked in several business, including Deseret Book, and he served four years in the Utah Senate. He was an assistant to the Q12 for two years before he was called to be an Apostle upon the death of Richard L. Evans.

He was known to speak up for the poor and downtrodden. He managed the Church Social Services. He died from illness at age 78.

Called by David O. McKay

David O. McKay was the prophet who really brought The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into the modern era, and if you look at who he called, he's done a lot to shape where we are today. Three of the men he called went on to be prophet, including Thomas S. Monson, who's been the head of the church from 2008 to present day.

First Presidency in 1951:
David O. McKay
Stephen L. Richards
J. Reuben Clark

Quorum of the Twelve in 1951:
Joseph Fielding Smith, John A. Widtsoe,
Joseph F. Merrill, Albert E. Bowen,
Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball,
Ezra Taft Benson, Mark E. Petersen,
Matthew Cowley, Henry D. Moyle,
Delbert L. Stapley...

Called to be Apostles by David O. McKay:
Marion G. Romney, LeGrand Richards,
Adam S. Bennion, Richard L. Evans,
George Q. Morris, Hugh B. Brown,
Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley,
N. Eldon Tanner, Thomas S. Monson,
(Thorpe B. Isaacson), Alvin R. Dyer

MARION G. ROMNEY
(September, 19, 1897 - May 20, 1988)

Apostle - October 11, 1951
Second Counselor - July 7, 1972
First Counselor - December 2, 1982
President of Q12 - November 10, 1985

Romney was born in Juarez, Mexico, living in a small community the Romneys and other families occupied when many polygamists had fled south of the border to avoid US prosecution. He and his family moved to the US in 1912 as violence from the Mexican Revolution spread. He was first cousin to Michigan governor George Romney (and uncle of Mitt).

He made his living as a prosecutor and served in the Utah legislature (as a Democrat). He was called to be an Apostle at age 54. He served over the Mexico mission and did a lot to help build the church there.

He served in the First Presidencies of Harold B. Lee and Spencer W. Kimball. His health declined in the 1980's, and he rarely appeared in public for his final years.

LEGRAND RICHARDS
(February 6, 1886 - January 11, 1983)

Apostle - April 6, 1952

LeGrand was the son of Apostle George F. Richards and grandson of Apostle Franklin D. Richards. LeGrand was serving as Presiding Bishop when his father died.

He served as bishop, stake president and mission president in his time. He wrote 1950's A Marvelous Work and a Wonder to help missionaries spread the Gospel. He wound up be the second-oldest Apostle in church history when he died at age 96 (behind only 98-year-old David B. Haight).

ADAM S. BENNION
(December 2, 1886 - February 11, 1958)

Apostle - April 9, 1953

Bennion earned his masters degree at Columbia University before getting his job as an English professor at the Univeristy of Utah. He later became president of Utah Power & Light, and then the director of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.

He wound up serving less than five years as an Apostle, dying at age 71.

RICHARD L. EVANS
(March 23, 1906 - November 1, 1971)

Apostle - October 8, 1953

Evans was the youngest of nine children, and his father died a few weeks after he was born. His widowed mother raised all of them herself.  He served his mission in Great Britain from 1926-1929, and while there worked as an associate editor for the Millenial Star under James E. Talmage and John A. Widtsoe.

He was best known for hosting the weekly radio program Music & the Spoken Word, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He was only 23 for its first episode (just months after he'd returned home from his mission), and he hosted it until his death. He did voice-over work for many church productions, as well as outside endeavors, such as Bing Crosby's annual Christmas radio specials.

He was the youngest Apostle when he was ordained, but he died at only 65 years old.

GEORGE Q. MORRIS
(February 20, 1874 - April 23, 1962)

Apostle - April 8, 1954

Morris is the oldest to have ever been called to be an Apostle, at age 80. As such, he only served a few years. Before, he'd been serving as an assistant to the Q12, a position that existed from 1941-1976.

HUGH B. BROWN
(October 24, 1883 - December 2, 1975)

Apostle - April 10, 1958
Third Counselor - June 22, 1961
Second Counselor - October 12, 1961
First Counselor - October 4, 1963

The "B." in Hugh B. Brown stands for Brown, as it was his mother's maiden name, though his parents weren't blood-related. Brown was born in Granger, Utah, but his family moved to Canada in his teen years. After marrying Zina Card, six of his eight children were born in Canada until they moved to Utah. Brown actually served in the Canadian military during WWI. He achieved the rank of major but was told he'd receive no further promotions because he was Mormon.

He worked as a lawyer in Canada, and upon moving to Utah, he joined the same law firm that employed J. Reuben Clark and Albert E. Bowen. He aligned with the Democratic party and ran for U.S. Senator in 1932 but did not win.

He served over the British mission when WWII broke out, and he and his missionaries returned home under the direction of Pres. Grant in 1940. His son Hugh C. Brown volunteered in the British Air Corps and was killed in action in 1942.

Brown was called to be an assistant to the Q12 before joining it as an Apostle in 1958. A few years later, he joined the First Presidency. Once Pres. McKay died in 1970, he returned to the Q12. He died at age 92.

HOWARD W. HUNTER
(November 14, 1907 - March 3, 1995)

Apostle - October 10, 1959
President of Q12 - May 20, 1988
Prophet/president - June 5, 1994

Hunter's father was a non-member and wouldn't let him get baptized until he was 12. He was a skilled musician and could play several instruments, including the piano, violin and trumpet. He had polio when he was 4, and although he avoided paralysis, he had back pain his entire life.

He made his living as a banker until he was able to complete law school, then worked as a lawyer. He became an Apostle at age 51. He was made Acting President of the Q12 when Pres. Benson became prophet, as the next senior Apostle - Marion G. Romney - was too ill to function as President. Hunter became the actual President of the Q12 in 1988.

He suffered significant health problems in his later years, and he was not in good shape when he became prophet in 1994. Nevertheless he was able to do the talking and traveling. He had the shorture tenure as prophet in the modern days (only nine months) and he was the first LDS Church President born in the 20th century. He drafted "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" but died before it could be presented to the church. He was 87.

GORDON B. HINCKLEY
(June 23, 1910 - January 27, 2008)

Apostle - October 5, 1961
Counselor - July 23, 1981
Second Counselor - December 2, 1982
First Counselor - November 10, 1985
President of Q12 - June 5, 1994
Prophet/president - March 12, 1995

Gordon was the nephew of Apostle Alonzo Hinckley. His father Bryant was an LDS writer. He served his mission in England (where Apostle Joseph Merrill was his mission president) and he spent his last few months there preaching in Europe, including France and Germany.

He studied journalism in college, and he was employed by the LDS church to develop their radio and communications departments. He acted as the church's liaison to Deseret Book (where he worked with Thomas S. Monson) and wrote for the Church News.

He became an Apostle at age 51. In 1981, when the health of all three members of the First Presidency was poor, he was called to be an additional counselor. When N. Eldon Tanner died in 1982, he became 2nd counselor, and when Ezra Taft Benson became prophet, he called Gordon to be his 1st counselor. He served as 1st counselor for Pres. Hunter as well. Nine months later, he became the 15th President of the LDS church.

His background in media made him comfortable in interviews and he became a prominent international figure. He increased temple building and church membership went from 9.5 to 13.5 million members. It was during his tenure that church membership outside the US surpassed membership within the US. He was the oldest prophet in this dispensation, dying at age 97.

N. ELDON TANNER
(May 9, 1898 - November 27, 1982)

Apostle - October 11, 1962
Second Counselor (DOM, JFS) - October 4, 1963
First Counselor (HBL, SWK) - July 7, 1972

Tanner was born in Utah but his family moved to Alberta, Canada, shortly thereafter. He ran a general store as a young man and also became a teacher. He held many government positions, first on the town council, then in the Alberta legislature. He wound up becoming Speaker of the Alberta legislature and then was appointed to serve in the national Cabinet in 1937. He won hs re-elections and served until 1952.

He was only an Apostle for a year when David O. McKay called him to be in the First Presidency due to the death of Henry D. Moyle. He served in the First Presidencies of four prophets before dying at age 84.

THOMAS S. MONSON
(August 21, 1927 - )

Apostle - October 4, 1963
Second Counselor - November 10, 1985
First Counselor - March 12, 1995
President of Q12 - March 12, 1995
Prophet/president - February 3, 2008

Monson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He joined the US Naval Reserve in 1945 but WWII ended before he was ever sent overseas. He graduated the U of Utah in business management and became an ad executive at the Deseret News. He later became the general manager of the Deseret News Press.

He didn't serve a full-time mission but became a bishop at age 22. He was a counselor in a stake presidency at age 27 and mission president of Canada at age 31. After serving there, he returned to work at the Deseret News until he was called to be an Apostle at age 36, the youngest in over 50 years.

When Ezra Taft Benson became prophet, he selected Monson as his 2nd counselor, and he remained in the First Presidency under Hunter and Hinckley until he became prophet 5 1/2 years ago.

THORPE B. ISAACSON
(September 6, 1898 - November 9, 1970)

Counselor - October 28, 1965

Isaacson was an assistant to the Q12 when he was called to be a counselor in David O. McKay's First Presidency. He was never ordained an Apostle. Joseph Fielding Smith was made a counselor at the same time.

Isaacson suffered a stroke in 1966 which severely limited his abilities to serve. When Pres. McKay died in 1970, Isaacson returned to his calling as assistant to the Q12, but he died a few months later.

ALVIN R. DYER
(January 1, 1903 - March 6, 1977)

Apostle - October 5, 1967
Counselor - April 6, 1968

Dyer was an assistant to the Q12 when he was called to be an Apostle, but he was not added to the Quorum of the Twelve. He soon became another counselor in McKay's FIrst Presidency. When McKay died, he returned to being an assistant to the Q12, and when that position was eliminated in 1976, he became a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, the only man in history to join that Quorum after being ordained an Apostle.

He suffered a stroke in 1972 and was limited in what he could do until he died at age 74.