#LDSConf April 2016: Saturday Afternoon Session

First there was the sustaining of church officers. Handful of opposing votes.
Then the church audit department said everything passed.
Then the church gave its statistical report for growth.

RONALD A. RASBAND - "Standing with the Leaders of the Church"

My dear brothers and sisters, we have just participated in a most blessed experience as we have raised our hands to sustain prophets, seers, and revelators and other leaders and general officers called of God in these very days. I have never taken lightly or casually the opportunity of sustaining and being guided by the Lord’s servants. And being just months into my own new calling as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I am humbled by your sustaining vote and confidence. I treasure your willingness to stand with me and with all of these great leaders.

Soon after I was sustained last October, I traveled to Pakistan on an assignment and, while there, met the magnificent and dedicated Saints in that country. They are few in number but large in spirit. Shortly after returning home, I received the following note from Brother Shakeel Arshad, a dear member I had met on my visit: “Thank you, Elder Rasband, for coming to Pakistan. I want to tell you that we … Church members … sustain you and love you. [We are] so lucky that you were here and we heard from you. It was just a golden day in my family’s life that we met an Apostle.”

Meeting Saints like Brother Arshad was an overwhelming and humbling experience and, using his words, “a golden day” for me as well...

By reading many hundreds of our youth’s questions, what did we learn? We learned that our youth love the Lord, sustain their leaders, and desire to have their questions answered! Questions are an indication of a further desire to learn, to add to those truths already in place in our testimonies, and to be better prepared to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.”...

We have sustained leaders today who, by divine inspiration, have been called to teach and guide us and who are calling out to us to beware of the dangers we face each day—from casual Sabbath-day observance, to threats to the family, to assaults on religious freedom, and even to disputing latter-day revelation. Brothers and sisters, are we listening to their counsel?...

As we press forward, choosing to follow the counsel and the warnings of our leaders, we choose to follow the Lord while the world is going in another direction. We choose to hold fast to the iron rod, to be Latter-day Saints, to be on the Lord’s errand, and to be filled “with exceedingly great joy.”

The growing question of today is clear: are you standing with the leaders of the Church in a darkening world so that you might spread the Light of Christ?

NEIL L. ANDERSEN - "Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me"

God loves children. He loves all children. The Savior said, “Suffer [the] little children … to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Children today find themselves in many different and complex family configurations.

For example, today, twice as many children in the United States are living with only one parent than were 50 years ago. And there are many families that are less unified in their love of God and willingness to keep His commandments. In this increasing spiritual commotion, the restored gospel will continue to carry the standard, the ideal, the pattern of the Lord...

But my plea today is for the hundreds of thousands of children, youth, and young adults who do not come from these, for lack of a better term, “picture-perfect” families. I speak not only of the youth who have experienced the death, divorce, or diminishing faith of their parents but also of the tens of thousands of young men and young women from all around the world who embrace the gospel without a mother or father to come into the Church with them...

While a child’s earthly situation may not be ideal, a child’s spiritual DNA is perfect because one’s true identity is as a son or daughter of God.

President Thomas S. Monson has said: “Help God’s children understand what is genuine and important in this life. Help them develop the strength to choose paths that will keep them safely on the way to eternal life.” Let’s open our arms and our hearts a little wider.

MERVYN B. ARNOLD - "To the Rescue; We Can Do It"
of the Seventy

President Thomas S. Monson, who has sounded the clarion call to go to the rescue, noted, “Our members need to be reminded that it is never too late when it comes to our … less-active members … who could have been considered a hopeless cause.”5

Like many of you, I have shared the gospel with some who are soon baptized or activated, and others ... take much more time...

The Lord has provided all of the tools necessary for us to go to the rescue of our less-active and nonmember friends. We can all do it!

I invite each of you to heed the Savior’s call to go to the rescue. We can do it! I solemnly testify that I know Jesus is the Good Shepherd, that He loves us, and that He will bless us as we go to the rescue. I know He lives; I know it.

JAIRO MAZZAGARDI - "The Sacred Place of Restoration"
of the Seventy

I was not religious, but I had been raised by parents who were, and I had seen what was good in other religions. At that point in my life, I thought all religions were acceptable to God.

After my visit to the temple open house, I sought an answer through prayer, having faith and a sure confidence that God would answer me, which was His Church on earth.

After a great spiritual struggle, I finally received a clear answer. I was invited to be baptized. My baptism happened on October 31, 1978, the night before a session of the São Paulo Temple dedication.

I realized that the Lord knew and cared about me as He answered my prayers...

What happened at Cumorah was an important part of the Restoration, as Joseph Smith received the plates which contained the Book of Mormon. This book helps us get closer to Christ than any other book on earth.

I bear witness that the Lord raised up prophets, seers, and revelators to guide His kingdom in these latter days and that in His eternal plan families are meant to be together forever. He cares about His children. He answers our prayers.

DAVID A. BEDNAR - "Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins"

In mortality we experience physical birth and the opportunity for spiritual rebirth. We are admonished by prophets and apostles to awake unto God, be “born again,” and become new creatures in Christ by receiving in our lives the blessings made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The “merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” can help us triumph over the self-centered and selfish tendencies of the natural man and become more selfless, benevolent, and saintly. We are exhorted to so live that we can “stand spotless before [the Lord] at the last day.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith summarized succinctly the essential role of priesthood ordinances in the gospel of Jesus Christ: “Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances.” This penetrating statement emphasizes the roles of both the Holy Ghost and sacred ordinances in the process of spiritual rebirth.

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a personage of spirit and bears witness of all truth. In the scriptures, the Holy Ghost is referred to as the Comforter, a teacher, and a revelator. Additionally, the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier who cleanses and burns dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire...

Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost is an ordinance administered in the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood. In the process of coming unto the Savior and spiritual rebirth, receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives creates the possibility of an ongoing cleansing of our soul from sin. This joyous blessing is vital because “no unclean thing can dwell with God.”

As members of the Lord’s restored Church, we are blessed both by our initial cleansing from sin associated with baptism and by the potential for an ongoing cleansing from sin made possible through the companionship and power of the Holy Ghost.

M. RUSSELL BALLARD - "Family Councils"

Family councils have always been needed. They are, in fact, eternal. We belonged to a family council in the premortal existence, when we lived with our heavenly parents as their spirit children.

A family council, when conducted with love and with Christlike attributes, will counter the impact of modern technology that often distracts us from spending quality time with each other and also tends to bring evil right into our homes.

Please remember that family councils are different from family home evening held on Mondays. Home evenings focus primarily on gospel instruction and family activities. Family councils, on the other hand, can be held on any day of the week, and they are primarily a meeting at which parents listen—to each other and to their children.

I believe there are at least four types of family councils:

First, a general family council consisting of the entire family.
Second, an executive family council consisting of a mother and father.
Third, a limited family council consisting of parents and one child.
Fourth, a one-on-one family council consisting of one parent and one child...

Please remember that a family council held regularly will help us spot family problems early and nip them in the bud; councils will give each family member a feeling of worth and importance; and most of all they will assist us to be more successful and happy in our precious relationships, within the walls of our homes. 

#LDSConf October 2015: Sunday Morning Session

THOMAS S. MONSON - "Be an Example and a Light"

Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me. Both are familiar to us. The first is from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”1 The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first. It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see...

To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”

Finally, we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. We know that our body is a temple, to be treated with reverence and respect. Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute. In order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must be worthy. Brothers and sisters, purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”...

My brothers and sisters, our opportunities to shine surround us each day, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others, whether they be our own family members and friends, our co-workers, mere acquaintances, or total strangers.

To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.

How reassuring are the Savior’s words: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Of Him I testify. He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. He is our Exemplar and our strength. He is “the light which shineth in darkness.” That each of us within the sound of my voice may pledge to follow Him, thus becoming a shining light to the world, is my prayer in His holy name, even Jesus Christ the Lord, amen.

[This is the talk where he almost collapsed, and two men were able to help him to his seat as soon as it was over.]

RONALD A. RASBAND - "I Stand All Amazed"

A few days ago I had the great privilege to meet with the First Presidency and receive this call from our dear prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I want to witness to all of you of the strength and love President Monson had as he said to me, “This call comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.”...

If I could leave one small message with you today, it would be this: the Lord has said, “Love one another; as I have loved you.”2 I’m confident that there is no choice, sin, or mistake that you or anyone else can make that will change His love for you or for them. That does not mean He excuses or condones sinful conduct—I’m sure He does not—but it does mean we are to reach out to our fellowman in love to invite, persuade, serve, and rescue. Jesus Christ looked past people’s ethnicity, rank, and circumstances in order to teach them this profound truth.

I have been asked many times when I received my testimony.

I can’t remember not believing in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have loved Them since I learned of Them at the knees of my angel mother, reading scripture and gospel stories. That early belief has now grown into a knowledge and a witness of a loving Heavenly Father, who hears and answers our prayers. My testimony of Jesus Christ has been built from many special experiences in which I have come to know His great love for each one of us.

GARY E. STEVENSON - "Plains and Precious Truths"

I was called to meet with President Monson, along with his counselors. Moments later, as I walked into the boardroom adjacent to his office, I must have looked nervous sitting across the table, as he kindly spoke to calm my nerves. He commented, noting my age, that I seemed quite young and even looked younger than my age.

Then, within a few moments, President Monson described that acting on the will of the Lord, he was extending a call to the Quorum of the Twelve to me. He asked me if I would accept this call, to which, following what I am sure was a very undignified audible gasp, in complete shock, I responded affirmatively. And then, before I could even verbalize a tsunami of indescribable emotion, most of which were feelings of inadequacy, President Monson kindly reached out to me, describing how he was called many years ago as an Apostle by President David O. McKay, at which time he too felt inadequate. He calmly instructed me, “Bishop Stevenson, the Lord will qualify those whom He calls.” These soothing words of a prophet have been a source of peace, a calm in a storm of painful self-examination and tender feelings in the ensuing agonizing hours which have passed day and night since then.

I rehearsed what I have just described to you to my sweet companion, Lesa, later that day, seated in a quiet corner on Temple Square, with a serene view of the temple and the historic Tabernacle lying before us. As we tried to comprehend and process the events of the day, we found our anchor to be our faith in Jesus Christ and our knowledge of the great plan of happiness. This leads to an expression of my deepest love for Lesa. She is the sunshine in and of my life and a remarkable daughter of God. Hers is a life punctuated by selfless service and unconditional love of all. I will strive to remain worthy of the blessing of our eternal union...

DALE G. RENLUND - "Through God's Eyes"

Something wonderful happens in a missionary’s service when he or she realizes that the calling is not about him or her; rather, it is about the Lord, His work, and Heavenly Father’s children. I feel the same is true for an Apostle. This calling is not about me. It’s about the Lord, His work, and Heavenly Father’s children. No matter what the assignment or calling is in the Church, to serve capably, one must serve knowing that everyone we serve “is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, … has a divine nature and destiny.”...

In the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes. This expanded perspective will open our hearts to the disappointments, fears, and heartaches of others...

With all my heart I want to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. I love Him. I adore Him. I witness of His living reality. I witness that He is the Anointed One, the Messiah. I am a witness of His incomparable mercy, compassion, and love.

RUSSELL M. NELSON - "A Plea to My Sisters"

It has been difficult for me to believe that these three treasured friends, these magnificent servants of the Lord, are gone. I miss them more than I can say.

As I’ve reflected on this unexpected turn of events, one of the impressions that has lingered with me is that which I observed in these surviving wives. Etched in my mind are the serene images of Sister Donna Smith Packer and Sister Barbara Dayton Perry at their husbands’ bedsides, both women filled with love, truth, and pure faith.

As Sister Packer sat next to her husband in his final hours, she radiated that peace that passes all understanding.1 Though she realized that her beloved companion of almost 70 years would soon depart, she showed the tranquility of a faith-filled woman...

Thirty-six years ago, in 1979, President Spencer W. Kimball made a profound prophecy about the impact that covenant-keeping women would have on the future of the Lord’s Church. He prophesied: “Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world … will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.”

My dear sisters, you who are our vital associates during this winding-up scene, the day that President Kimball foresaw is today. You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers!

We, your brethren, need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices. The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and then keep them, women who can speak with the power and authority of God!...

We know that the culminating act of all creation was the creation of woman! We need your strength!

Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity. We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve.

My dear sisters, nothing is more crucial to your eternal life than your own conversion. It is converted, covenant-keeping women—women like my dear wife Wendy—whose righteous lives will increasingly stand out in a deteriorating world and who will thus be seen as different and distinct in the happiest of ways.

So today I plead with my sisters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to step forward! Take your rightful and needful place in your home, in your community, and in the kingdom of God—more than you ever have before. I plead with you to fulfill President Kimball’s prophecy. And I promise you in the name of Jesus Christ that as you do so, the Holy Ghost will magnify your influence in an unprecedented way!

GREGORY A. SCHWITZER - "Let the Clarion Trumpet Sound"
of the Seventy

The Apostle Paul taught us about comparing communication to musical instruments when he wrote to the Corinthians:

“And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”

If ever there was a time when the world needs disciples of Christ who can communicate the message of the gospel with clarity and from the heart, it is now. We need the clarion call of the trumpet.

Christ was certainly our best example. He always demonstrated courage to stand up for what was right. His words echo through the centuries as He invites us to remember to love God and our fellowman, to keep all of God’s commandments, and to live as lights to the world. He was not afraid to speak against the earthly powers or rulers of His day, even when such were opposing His mission given to Him by His Heavenly Father. His words were not designed to confuse but to move the hearts of men. He clearly knew His Father’s will in all He said and did.

I also love the example of Peter, who confronted the men of the world with courage and clarity on the day of Pentecost. On that day people were assembled from many countries criticizing the early Saints because they heard them speak in tongues and thought they were drunken. Peter, having the Spirit rise in his soul, stood up to defend the Church and the members. He testified with these words: “Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words.”...

Over the many years that I have studied the story of Lehi’s dream in the Book of Mormon, I have always thought of the great and spacious building as a place where only the most rebellious reside. The building was filled with people mocking and pointing at the faithful who had held on to the iron rod, which represents the word of God, and had made their way to the tree of life, which represents the love of God. Some could not bear up under the pressure of the people mocking them and wandered off. Others decided to join the mockers in the building. Did they not have the courage to speak boldly against the criticisms or messages of the world?

As I watch the current world moving away from God, I think this building is growing in size. Many find themselves today wandering the halls of the great and spacious building, not realizing that they are actually becoming part of its culture. They often succumb to the temptations and the messages. We eventually find them mocking or chiming in with those who criticize or mock...

It is time for us, as Latter-day Saints, to stand up and testify. It is time for the notes of the melody of the gospel to rise above the noise of the world.

CLAUDIO R.M. COSTA - "That They Do Always Remember Him"
of the Seventy

I love to study and ponder the life of Him who gave everything for me and for all of us.

I love to read scriptural passages about His sinless life, and after reading the scriptures which tell about the events experienced by Him, I close my eyes and try to visualize these sacred moments that teach me and strengthen me spiritually.

Moments such as:

• When He spat on the ground and, having made clay of the spittle, anointed the eyes of the blind man and said unto him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” And the man obeyed, “and washed, and came seeing.”
• When He healed the woman who had an issue of blood and had touched the border of His garment, believing that just by touching Him, she would be healed.
• When He appeared to His disciples, walking upon the sea.
• When He went with the disciples on the road to Emmaus and opened the scriptures to their understanding...

I meditated upon each word of the blessings on the bread and the water. I deeply reflected on the words “and always remember him” in the blessing on the bread and “that they do always remember him” in the blessing on the water.

I meditated on what it means to always remember Him.

To me it means:

• To remember His premortal life, when this beautiful planet was made by Him.
• To remember His humble birth in a manger in Bethlehem of Judea.
• To remember when, even as a 12-year-old boy, He taught and preached to the doctors in the temple.
• To remember when He went aside privately into a desert to prepare for His mortal ministry.
• To remember when He was transfigured before His disciples.
• To remember when He instituted the sacrament at the Last Supper with them.
• To remember when He went to the Garden of Gethsemane and suffered so intensely for our sins, pains, disappointments, and illnesses that He bled from every pore.
• To remember when, after so much suffering and severe pain, even yet in Gethsemane, He was betrayed with a kiss by one of the disciples whom He called a friend.
• To remember when He was taken to Pilate and to Herod for trial.
• To remember when He was humiliated, buffeted, spat upon, smitten, and scourged with a whip that tore His flesh.
• To remember when a crown of thorns was brutally put upon His head.
• To remember that He had to carry His own cross to Golgotha and that He was nailed to the cross there, suffering every physical and spiritual pain.
• To remember that at the cross, with His bowels full of charity, He looked at those who crucified Him and raised His eyes to heaven, pleading, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
• To remember when He, knowing He had fulfilled His mission of saving all mankind, gave up His spirit into the hands of His Father, our Father.
• To remember His Resurrection, which ensures our own resurrection and the possibility to live beside Him for all eternity, depending on our choices.
Furthermore, meditating on the sacrament prayers and the very special and meaningful words of the prayers reminds me how wonderful it is to receive the promise, during the blessing of the sacrament, that as we always remember Him, we will always have His Spirit with us.

I believe the Lord has His own timing as to when to give revelation unto us.

HENRY B. EYRING - "The Holy Ghost As Your Companion"

My purpose today is to increase your desire and your determination to claim the gift promised to each of us after we were baptized. During our confirmation we heard these words: “Receive the Holy Ghost.”1 From that moment, our lives changed forever.

We can, if we live worthy of it, have the blessing of the Spirit to be with us, not only now and then, as in such remarkable experiences as we’ve had today, but always. You know from the words of the sacrament prayer how that promise is fulfilled: “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them.”

And then comes the glorious promise: “That they may always have his Spirit to be with them” (D&C 20:77).

To always have the Spirit with us is to have the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in our daily lives. We can, for instance, be warned by the Spirit to resist the temptation to do evil...

Just as the Holy Ghost strengthens us against evil, He also gives us the power to discern truth from falsehood. The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God. Our human reason and the use of our physical senses will not be enough. We live in a time when even the wisest will be hard-pressed to distinguish truth from clever deception...

For many reasons, we need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We desire it, yet we know from experience that it is not easy to maintain. We each think, say, and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit. The Lord taught us that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when our hearts are full of charity and when virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly (see D&C 121:45).

For those who are struggling with the high standard needed to qualify for the gift of the Spirit’s companionship, I offer this encouragement. You have had times when you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost. It may have happened for you today...

I bear you my testimony that God the Father lives, that the resurrected Jesus Christ leads His Church, that President Thomas S. Monson holds all the keys of the priesthood, and that revelation through the Holy Ghost guides and sustains The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its humble members.

I further testify to you that these wonderful men who have today been speaking to us as witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ, as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, are called of God. I know that the Spirit led President Monson to call them. And as you listened to them and their testimonies, the Holy Spirit confirmed to you what I now say to you. They are called of God. I sustain them and love them and know that the Lord loves them and will sustain them in their service.

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 Three Apostles

I've done my pieces on guessing the next apostle after Elder Perry died, and guessing the next two after Pres. Packer died, but now that Elder Scott has died, Pres. Monson will now have the opportunity to call three Apostles at once, something that hasn't happened since Joseph F. Smith did so in 1906.

The decision is up to Pres. Monson, but he will have help/advice/suggestions from his counselors in the First Presidency as well as the other apostles. It's unclear at this point just how far along his dementia is, but you could tell at this weekend's Women's Session of Conference that he has a handler who is on him at all times to walk him where he needs to go.

As we're only a few days away, I'm going to give my best guesses as to who they'll be. I've given my analysis on most of them in previous posts, and here's my participation in a TribTalk interview with the Salt Lake Tribune's Jennifer Napier-Pearce and Peggy Fletcher Stack, Mormon Matters' Dan Wotherspoon, and A Thoughtful Faith's Gina Colvin.

AMERICAN

FAVORITES

James J. Hamula

1. Ronald A. Rasband - 2/6/51 (64) - He's been in the Presidency of the Seventy the longest. He's a few months older than Neil L. Andersen.
2. James J. Hamula - 11/20/57 (57) - I base this on confirmation from a Reddit user who claims that he works in the Church Office Building, and indeed, Rasband and Hamula are the top two Americans on the list, which coincides from what I've heard from others in the COB.
3. David F. Evans - 8/11/51 (64) - He's been a General Authority for ten years. He's a former stake president, mission president, and his mother was once a counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. His background is law, and he once worked for the prominent Utah firm Durham, Jones & Pinegar.
4. Gary E. Stevenson - 8/5/55 (60) - Current Presiding Bishop.

MAYBES

Larry J. Echo Hawk

5. Larry J. Echo Hawk - 8/2/48 (67) - I'm sensing increased interest in him. He's Native American (Pawnee), and he'd therefore be the first non-white Apostle in LDS history. He's Democrat, and so it would therefore indicate more diversity in the quorum, which has been a model of uniformity as of late.
6. Gerrit W. Gong - 12/23/53 (61) - He's Chinese, so he'd also be the first non-white Apostle in LDS history, should it happen. He's been an employee for the US State Department and worked in the US Embassy in China. He's worked as a professor at Georgetown and Johns Hopkins before working at BYU. He served his mission in Taiwan and has been a bishop and stake president before becoming a Seventy.
7. Michael T. Ringwood - 2/14/58 (57) - He worked at Huntsman Chemical with Rasband, so I think that there's no way both could be called, but if Rasband is not one of the three, I could Ringwood sliding in there. Plus he's Russell M. Nelson's son-in-law, and family relations have rarely hurt a GA's chances of becoming an Apostle.
8. L. Whitney Clayton - 2/24/50 (65) - I get the feeling if it was up to a couple of the senior Apostles, Clayton would be a shoo-in, but I think there's enough red flags against him that he won't be called. But I mention him because he is in such prime position.
9. Kevin R. Duncan - 10/6/60 (54) - He served his mission in Chile and later went back to be a mission president in Chile. He knows adversity; his first wife died in a car accident when they'd only been married for two years, leaving him with a baby to riase by himself. He remarried and became a lawyer. He's one of the youngest Americans in the Seventy.
10. David L. Beck - 4/12/53 (62) - Recently released as Young Men's General President, he has a lot of experience in Brazil. He lived there for a few years as a child while his dad was a mission president there. When he was 19, he was called to serve his mission in Brazil. Later, he would serve as a mission president in Brazil.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention Donald L. Hallstrom, Richard J. Maynes, Craig C. Christensen, and Lynn G. Robbins as possibilities. I'll also keep the names of Steven E. Snow, Tad R. Callister, Shayne M. Bowen, Allen F. Packer, Hugo Montoya, Scott D. Whiting, and Kent F. Richards out there.

NON-AMERICAN

HEAVY FAVORITES

I'm less confident in making these guesses, because deep down, I know there's a good chance all three new Apostles could still be American. Nevertheless, I hope at least one is not.

Ulisses Soares

1. Ulisses Soares - 10/2/58 (56) - Brazil - Being part of the Presidency of the Seventy is a big plus for him.
2. Claudio R.M. Costa - 3/25/49 (66) - Brazil - Had a stint in the Presidency of the Seventy, and his talks have had a more conservative bent, which might make him ideal to fit right into the Quorum and continue their uniformity.
3. Walter F. Gonzalez - 11/18/52 (62) - Uruguay - Another who had some years in the Presidency of the Seventy. Raised Catholic, he converted to the LDS church when he was 21. He was a mission president in Ecuador, and he worked for CES in Ecuador.
4. Joseph W. Sitati - 5/16/52 (63) - Kenya - He was the first Black African to become a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, and I could see his milestone-making with this calling. His last General Conference talk on eternal marriage signified he would continue the current trajectory of the Q12.

MAYBES

Edward Dube

5. Edward Dube - 5/12/62 (53) - Zimbabwe - The other Black African in the 1st Quorum of Seventy, I could see his youth and charisma being a good addition to the Q12. With Africa one of the fastest-growing continents for church membership, it'd be a good move.
6. Marcos A. Aidukaitis - 8/30/59 (56) - Brazil - He has a background in mechanical engineering, and he's been key in expanding the church in Brazil, serving as the first stake president for two newly organized stakes. He also served as mission president there. Pres. Monson called him to the 1st Quorum of Seventy his first General Conference as prophet.
7. Gerald Causee - 5/20/63 (52) - France - He was the first GA from France, and if called, he'd only be the fourth Apostle in LDS history where English was not his first language (behind Anthon Lund, John A. Widtsoe, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf).
8. Chi Hong (Sam) Wong - 5/25/62 (53) - China - China is the most populous country in the world, and having someone like him as an Apostle/ambassador would do wonders for future church growth there, should religious restrictions ease up.
9. Michael John U. Teh - 6/25/65 (50) - Philippines - The Philippines is another populous country that has seen significant growth as of late. Teh has been a church employee most of his career before becoming a GA, so he's had a chance to work with many Apostles.
10. Rafael E. Pino - 10/27/55 (59) - Venezuela - He served his mission in Venezuela and was a mission president in Argentina. He's also worked most of his career as a church employee.

Other names I could see them considering are Ian S. Ardern, Benjamin De Hoyos, Yoon Hwan Choi, Carlos A. Godoy, Jorg Klebingat, Jose A. Teixeira, and Juan A. Uceda.

So my final guess for the three: Ronald A. Rasband, James J. Hamula, and Ulisses Soares.

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

Current LDS General Authorities & Auxiliary Leaders

GENERAL AUTHORITIES

Thomas S. Monson

First Presidency
(1)  1963-(DOM)-Thomas S. Monson - 8/21/1927 - 87 - USA-Utah
(10) 1995-(GBH)-Henry B. Eyring - 5/31/1933 - 81 - USA-New Jersey
(11) 2004-(GBH)-Dieter F. Uchtdorf - 11/6/1940 - 74 - Czechoslovakia (German)

Quorum of Twelve Apostles
(2)  1970-(JFS)-Boyd K. Packer - 9/10/1924 - 90 - USA-Utah
(3)  1974-(SWK)-L. Tom Perry - 8/5/1922 - 92 - USA-Utah
(4)  1984-(SWK)-Russell M. Nelson - 9/9/1924 - 90 - USA-Utah
(5)  1984-(SWK)-Dallin H. Oaks - 8/12/1932 - 82 - USA-Utah
(6)  1985-(SWK)-M. Russell Ballard - 10/8/1928 - 86 - USA-Utah
(7)  1988-(ETB)-Richard G. Scott - 11/7/1928 - 86 - USA-Idaho
(8)  1994-(ETB)-Robert D. Hales - 8/24/1932 - 82 - USA-New York
(9)  1994-(HWH)-Jeffrey R. Holland - 12/3/1940 - 74 - USA-Utah
(12) 2004-(GBH)-David A. Bednar - 6/15/1952 - 62 - USA-California
(13) 2007-(GBH)-Quentin L. Cook - 9/8/1940 - 74 - USA-Utah
(14) 2008-(TSM)-D. Todd Christofferson - 1/24/1945 - 70 - USA-Utah
(15) 2009-(TSM)-Neil L. Andersen - 8/9/1951 - 63 - USA-Utah

Ronald A. Rasband

Presidency of the Seventy
2000-(2005)-Ronald A. Rasband - 2/6/1951 - 64 - USA-Utah
2001-(2008)-L. Whitney Clayton - 2/24/1950 - 64 - USA-Utah
2000-(2009)-Donald L. Hallstrom - 7/27/1949 - 65 - USA-Hawaii
2001-(2012)-Richard J. Maynes - 10/29/1950 - 64 - USA-California
2002-(2012)-Craig C. Christensen - 3/18/1956 - 58 - USA-Utah
2005-(2013)-Ulisses Soares ------ 10/2/1958 - 56 - Brazil
1997-(2014)-Lynn G. Robbins - 10/27/1952 - 62 - USA-Utah

First Quorum of the Seventy
2005 - Marcos A. Aidukaitis - 8/30/1959 - 55 - Brazil
2011 - Jose L. Alonso - 11/17/1958 - 56 - Mexico
2011 - Ian S. Ardern - 2/28/1954 - 60 - New Zealand
2003 - Marvyn B. Arnold - 7/19/1948 - 66 - USA-Utah
2006 - David S. Baxter - 2/7/1955 - 60 - United Kingdom
2006 - Shayne M. Bowen - 8/29/1954 - 60 - USA-Idaho
2006 - Craig A. Cardon - 12/30/1948 - 66 - USA-Arizona
2009 - Yoon Hwan Choi - 5/18/1957 - 57 - South Korea
2006 - Don R. Clarke - 12/11/1945 - 69 - USA-Idaho
2011 - Carl B. Cook - 10/15/1957 - 57 - USA-Utah
2008 - Lawrence E. Corbridge - 4/6/1949 - 65 - USA-Idaho
2001 - Claudio R.M. Costa - 3/25/1949 - 65 - Brazil

Edward Dube

2011 - LeGrand R. Curtis - 8/1/1952 - 62 - USA-Utah
2005 - Benjamin De Hoyos - 2/20/1953 - 62 - Mexico
2013 - Edward Dube - 5/12/1962 - 52 - Zimbabwe
2010 - Kevin R. Duncan - 10/6/1960 - 54 - USA-Utah
2012 - Larry J. Echo Hawk - 8/2/1948 - 66 - USA-Wyoming (Pawnee)
2012 - Stanley G. Ellis - 1/22/1947 - 68 - USA-Idaho
2005 - David F. Evans - 8/11/1951 - 63 - USA-Utah
2007 - Enrique R. Falabella - 5/1/1950 - 64 - Guatemala
2008 - Eduardo Gavarrett - 5/11/1956 - 58 - Uruguay
2012 - Robert C. Gay - 9/1/1951 - 63 - USA-California
2008 - Carlos A. Godoy - 2/4/1961 - 54 - Brazil
2001 - Christoffel Golden - 6/1/1952 - 62 - South Africa
2010 - Gerrit W. Gong - 12/23/1953 - 61 - USA-California (Chinese)
2001 - Walter F. Gonzalez - 11/18/1952 - 62 - Uruguay
2005 - C. Scott Grow - 5/1/1948 - 66 - USA-Idaho
2008 - James J. Hamula - 11/20/1957 - 56 - USA-California
2006 - Daniel L. Johnson - 12/15/1946 - 68 - Mexico
2005 - Paul V. Johnson - 6/24/1954 - 60 - USA-Florida
2010 - Patrick Kearon - 7/18/1961 - 53 - United Kingdom
2014 - Jorg Klebingat - 12/19/1967 - 47 - Germany
2007 - Erich W. Kopischke - 10/20/1956 - 58 - Germany
2006 - Marcus B. Nash - 3/26/1957 - 57 - USA-Washington
2013 - S. Gifford Nielsen - 10/25/1954 - 60 - USA-Utah
2009 - Brent H. Nielson - 12/8/1954 - 60 - USA-Idaho
2008 - Allan F. Packer - 7/7/1948 - 66 - USA-Utah
2008 - Kevin W. Pearson - 4/10/1957 - 57 - USA-Utah
2006 - Anthony D. Perkins - 7/22/1960 - 54 - USA-Colorado
2005 - Paul B. Pieper - 10/7/1957 - 57 - USA-Idaho
2008 - Rafael E. Pino - 10/27/1955 - 59 - Venezuela
1995 - Bruce D. Porter - 9/18/1952 - 62 - USA-New Mexico
2009 - Dale G. Renlund - 11/1/1952 - 62 - USA-Utah
2009 - Michael T. Ringwood - 2/14/1958 - 57 - USA-Utah
2009 - Joseph W. Sitati - 5/16/1952 - 62 - Kenya
2001 - Steven E. Snow - 11/23/1949 - 65 - USA-Utah
2007 - Michael John U. Teh - 6/25/1965 - 49 - Philippines
2008 - Jose A. Teixeira - 2/24/1961 - 54 - Portugal
2010 - Juan A. Uceda - 7/10/1953 - 61 - Peru
2013 - Arnulfo Valenzuela - 5/1/1959 - 55 - Mexico
1996 - Francisco J. Vinas - 12/28/1946 - 68 - Spain
2011 - W. Christopher Waddell - 6/28/1959 - 55 - USA-California
2012 - Scott D. Whiting - 4/1/1961 - 53 - USA-Utah
2014 - Chi Hong (Sam) Wong - 5/25/1962 - 52 - China
2011 - Kazuhiko Yamashita - 9/1/1953 - 61 - Japan
2008 - Jorge F. Zeballos - 7/19/1955 - 59 - Chile
2007 - Claudio D. Zivic - 12/19/1948 - 66 - Argentina
1995 - W. Craig Zwick - 6/30/1947 - 67 - USA-Utah

Second Quorum of Seventy
2009 - Wilford W. Andersen - 8/22/1949 - 65 - USA-Arizona
2009 - Koichi Aoyagi - 3/24/1945 - 69 - Japan
2011 - Randall K. Bennett - 6/1/1955 - 59 - Canada
2009 - Bruce A. Carlson - 10/3/1949 - 65 - USA-Minnesota
2011 - J. Devn Cornish - 4/12/1951 - 63 - USA-Utah

O. Vincent Haleck

2013 - Timothy J. Dyches - 1/1/1951 - 64 - USA-Utah
2009 - Bradley D. Foster - 1/1/1949 - 66 - USA-Idaho
2013 - Randy D. Funk - 8/1/1952 - 62 - USA-Utah
2011 - O. Vincent Haleck - 1/1/1949 - 66 - Samoa
2013 - Kevin S. Hamilton - 3/1/1955 - 59 - USA-Washington
2014 - Larry S. Kacher - 2/12/1952 - 63 - USA-Minnesota
2010 - Larry R. Lawrence - 8/25/1947 - 67 - USA-Maryland
2010 - Per G. Malm - 9/12/1948 - 66 - Sweden
2014 - Hugo E. Martinez - 1/10/1957 - 58 - Puerto Rico
2009 - James R. Martino - 3/28/1951 - 53 - USA-Texas (Latino)
2010 - Jairo Mazzagardi - 4/10/1947 - 67 - Brazil
2013 - Adrian Ochoa - 3/3/1954 - 60 - USA-California (Latino)
2009 - Kent F. Richards - 2/25/1946 - 69 - USA-Utah
2009 - Gregory A. Schwitzer - 4/2/1948 - 66 - USA-Utah
2013 - Terence M. Vinson - 5/1/1951 - 63 - Australia
2011 - Larry Y. Wilson - 12/31/1949 - 65 - USA-Utah

Presiding Bishopric
2012 - Gary E. Stevenson - 59 - USA-Utah
2012 - Gerald Causee - 51 - France
2012 - Dean Davies - 64 - USA-Utah

GENERAL AUXILIARIES

Linda K. Burton

Relief Society General Presidency
2012 - Linda K. Burton - 62 - USA-Utah
2012 - Carole M. Stephens - 57 - USA-Utah
2012 - Linda S. Reeves - 63 - USA-California

Young Mens General Presidency
2009 - David L. Beck - 61 - USA-Utah
2009 - Larry M. Gibson - 67 - USA-Nevada
2009 - Randall L. Ridd - 62 - USA-Utah

Young Womens General Presidency
2013 - Bonnie L. Oscarson - 64 - USA-Utah
2013 - Carol F. McConkie - 62 - USA-Washington
2013 - Neill F. Marriott - 67 - USA-Louisiana

Primary General Presidency
2010 - Rosemary M. Wixom - 66 - USA-Utah
2010 - Jean A. Stevens - 63 - USA-Utah
2010 - Cheryl A. Esplin - 70 - USA-Wyoming

Sunday School General Presidency
2014 - Tad R. Callister - 69 - USA-California
2014 - John S. Tanner - 64 - USA-Utah
2014 - Devin G. Durrant - 54 - USA-Utah