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| Quorum of the Twelve Apostle (as of April 2015) |
One of the things making this upcoming conference unique is the loss of three members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles within the six months between April and October Conferences. From what I have been able to learn, this is an occurrence that hasn’t happened before in Church history. According to the Deseret News article that announced Elder Scott’s death, this will be the first time since 1906 that three vacancies have needed to be filled in the quorum. However, the difference between this October’s conference and the April conference of 1906 is that two of the three vacancies were created by the resignation of two brethren from the quorum because of what is known as the “Second Manifesto” (it is a fascinating story; click this link for an in-depth article about the end of plural marriage), while the present three vacancies, as I mentioned, have come due to the deaths of Elders Perry, Packer and Scott.
My focus for this post, however, is something that I’ve become aware of since our return from vacation in July. As I was catching up on the blogs that I follow regularly, I came across this one from Keepapitchinin that caught me a bit off guard. According to Ardis’ post, internet chatter from some quarters appears to be making claims that the Church will be defined as "out of touch" (again, there seems to be so many ways this is the case according to internet people) if the next apostle isn't someone from outside the United States (read: not Caucasian and from Utah, Idaho or Arizona). As I’ve said in other posts, I don’t go looking on the internet for negative or inflammatory comments nor am I about to begin (life's too short and I've got too many other things to worry about), but another recent comment (down near the bottom of the comments section) on another blog that I frequently read (Middle-aged Mormon Man, or MMM for short) reminded me of what I had read in Ardis’ post and brought the whole idea back to the forefront of my thoughts.
First, let me be clear, if one or more of the newly called Apostles comes from a country other than the United States, I will have no problem raising my arm to the square for that brother or brethren. On the other hand, if all of them come from the United States and happen to be white, my right arm will go up in the same manner. Ardis' post specifically address the danger of members pinning their expectations on some sort of personal criteria that could bring them such disappointment as to loose their faith in the Church if the criteria is not met. What is important to remember in this process is that the Lord Jesus Christ is in charge of His Church and He is the one who does the choosing. "We are engaged in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have answered His call; we are on His errand. Let us learn of Him. Let us follow in His footsteps. Let us live by His precepts. By so doing, we will be prepared for any service He calls us to perform. This is His work. This is His Church. Indeed, He is our captain, the King of Glory, even the Son of God," so said President Thomas S. Monson 6 months ago (Ensign, May 2015, 90, emphasis added). That statement, not the person's country of origin, should be the focus.
As Jesus and His disciples walked toward Gethsemane, He declared, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16, emphasis added). The duty of an apostle is not only to bear witness of Christ to all the people, but to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19, emphasis added). These brethren are specifically called by the Lord (not the people who are called by His name) to go forth and proclaim their testimony of Him to all nations. In this dispensation, Jesus revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the "twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world – thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling" (D&C 107:23, emphasis added). Again, this is not to say that only white males from the United States only fit this criteria; it is to remind me and anyone else that the Lord will chose His witnesses. President Monson will seek His direction—not form committees and focus groups to find out where the prevailing winds of the people are blowing. These brethren are called as the Lord sees fit for the special purpose of going forth to proclaim His name and mission to the world. Whoever is called to fill these 3 vacancies will be called because the Savior (not the hopes and dreams and speculations of the members of the Church) has called them and they have humbly responded, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:10). Complaining that "another white lawyer" or "another white fill in the blank has been called and how can the Church be so out of touch" is akin to complaining that Jesus was "out of touch" by choosing too many Galilean fishermen during His mortal ministry.
This brings me, however, to a second point that I have found myself doing. I have been making statements to myself and my family and ward members that has exhibited an undertone of certainty that all 3 vacancies will be filled either at the very beginning of the Saturday morning session or the Saturday afternoon session. But just like those who appear to be demanding that one or all of the new brethren called be citizens from other countries, my own statements about all 3 vacancies being filled in one fell swoop is also out of line. I was gently knocked down a peg when I read a recent interview with President Russell M. Nelson. During the interview, he made the following comment: "People are wondering if there will be Apostles chosen at this conference, ... but that is a matter between the Lord and His prophet. There have been conferences where a vacancy has not been filled," he explained. "President Heber J. Grant had announced to the Twelve that ‘so and so’ would be called, but it didn’t happen. Members of the Twelve asked him when the conference was over why he didn’t fill the vacancy. He replied that the man he said would be called wasn’t ready yet."
I was reminded of two things by this comment: 1) Elder Nelson was called to fill a vacancy that had opened in the quorum over a year before when Elder LeGrand Richards died in January of 1983 (President Nelson was called in April of 1984); and 2) for me to participate in the upcoming conference expecting all 3 vacancies to be filled isn't a proper approach either because I, in effect, am demanding that the Lord make up His mind and get on with things (something definitely beyond my purview). If the Lord has identified 3 brethren to President Monson and they are ready to be called, they will be called. If the Lord has not revealed any names to the prophet, then the 3 vacancies will remain vacant, or only 1 or 2 will be filled if that is the Lord's will at this time. The Quorum of the Twelve can function without being fully "staffed" (so to speak). Again in Section 107, Jesus revealed: "A majority may form a quorum when circumstances render it impossible to be otherwise" (D&C 107:28).
If anything, the anticipation for the upcoming conference is heightened by the "historic" circumstances brought about by the deaths of Elders Perry, Packer and Scott. If that is the only thing I focus on, however, then I will come away from the two days less than spiritually filled. I cannot afford to sell myself short in that manner. My focus should be on sustaining my leaders by not only raising my arm to the square (as I will have opportunity to do), but by listening to their council and striving to apply said council to my life. The incremental help I have received from the brothers and sisters who have spoken from the conference pulpit over the years has been a blessing to my life. I hope and pray I am ready to listen to what they have prepared to say to me this weekend and then go and do it as I have promised by partaking of the sacrament. ☺
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