Tuesday, Russell M. Nelson was announced as the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following the death of a prophet, the First Presidency of the Church is dissolved, and top LDS leaders are reorganized.
Utah State Representative and author Mike Winder joined News4Utah in studio to provide some historical context to Tuesday’s big announcement.
Traditionally, the longest serving apostle becomes the new prophet.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced the following changes:
President: Russell M. Nelson
First Counselor: Dallin H. Oaks
Second Counselor: Henry B. Eyring
President of the Quorum of the Twelve: M. Russell Ballard
Counselors to the Prophets and other books by Winder are available on Amazon.