How Is a New Prophet or Apostle Called in the Church?

A Look at the Inspired Succession Process

How are prophets chosen in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Who will be the next prophet? These questions arise whenever a Church president nears the end of life or passes away. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prophetic succession is revealed by God and follows a divinely inspired pattern.

Throughout human history, God has called prophets to be His voice on earth. Prophets teach eternal truths, testify of Jesus Christ, and provide guidance specific to the people of their time.  

In modern times, God has established a clear pattern for calling new prophets and apostles to lead His Church when needed. As in Biblical times, this process is directed by God. But it is also structured to provide continuity and stability for the Church during times of change. 

The Church is Led by the First Presidency 

The Church is led by the First Presidency, which includes the Prophet and two counselors. The First Presidency is supported by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Together, these leaders supervise the entire work of the Church.

What Happens when the Prophet Passes Away?

When the Prophet and the Apostles accept a call to serve in the Church, they stay in their roles for the rest of their lives. When the Prophet dies, the appointment of a new prophet happens in an orderly way. 

These are the steps that take place: 

1. The First Presidency is automatically dissolved and the counselors return to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  
2. The Quorum—now numbering 14 and headed by the longest-serving apostle—assumes Church leadership. 
3. The Apostles meet to receive confirmation from the Lord that the longest-serving Apostle will be the new prophet and President of the Church. Throughout the history of the Church, this position has always been filled by the most senior Apostle (as determined by length of service, not age). 
4. The new Prophet seeks the Lord’s guidance on whom the Lord has chosen to be his counselors from among the remaining Apostles. These counselors will complete the new First Presidency. 
5. The new President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (as determined by seniority), along with the rest of the apostles, sets apart the new prophet through priesthood authority. 
6. If the new President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is chosen to serve in the First Presidency, the next senior Apostle will become Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
7. Through revelation to the new Prophet, the Lord calls a new Apostle to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve as its most junior member. 
8. The Prophet’s name is presented to Church members in the next general conference for a sustaining vote. This means that the members recognize this person as the person called to fill the role, offer their support, and promise to do their best to follow what he teaches.

What Happens when an Apostle Passes Away? 

When a member of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles passes away, the Prophet seeks the Lord in prayer to learn who the Lord has called to serve. The Apostle’s name is presented in the next general conference for a sustaining vote from the membership.

Examples of Prophetic Succession in the History of the Church

Since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formally organized on April 6, 1830, there have been 18 prophets, including the most recent Prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks. 

The first Prophet of the Church was Joseph Smith. He was called directly by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth.

After Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob in 1844, there was some confusion about who should succeed him. Several people stepped forward to lobby for the role. When Brigham Young—the most senior Apostle and President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—addressed the body of the Church, many people reported a powerful spiritual experience that he was called of God to be the next Prophet.  

The members of the Church overwhelmingly sustained Brigham Young as the next Prophet of the Church. Eventually the orderly process of succession based on seniority within the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles became more formalized. 
 

An Orderly Process, Directed by God 

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the focus for selecting leadership is based on divine direction, continuity, and seniority as God inspires the calling of new apostles and shapes future prophets during their service as apostles.

Each prophet’s unique experiences and strengths are part of God’s plan to bring forth the right leader at the right time to lead His children.    
 

Past Prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

After Jesus Christ restored His Church, Joseph Smith was visited by ancient prophets and apostles who appeared to him in resurrected form. Joseph Smith was given priesthood keys, or the power that God gives to man, to lead the Church.

These visitors included the New Testament Apostles Peter, James, and John, who were ordained by the Savior Himself. Since that time, these are the prophets who have served in leading the Church: 
 
1. Joseph Smith (1830–1844)  
2. Brigham Young (1847–1877)  
3. John Taylor (1880–1887)  
4. Wilford Woodruff (1889–1898)  
5. Lorenzo Snow (1898–1901)  
6. Joseph F. Smith (1901–1918)  
7. Heber J. Grant (1918–1945)  
8. George Albert Smith (1945–1951)  
9. David O. McKay (1951–1970)  
10. Joseph Fielding Smith (1970-–1972)  
11. Harold B. Lee (1972–1973)  
12. Spencer W. Kimball (1973–1985)  
13. Ezra Taft Benson (1985–1994)  
14. Howard W. Hunter (1994–1995)  
15. Gordon B. Hinckley (1995–2008)  
16. Thomas S. Monson (2008–2018)  
17. Russell M. Nelson (2018–2025)  
18. Dallin H. Oaks (2025–present)