Micah 4:5; “For all people will walk everyone in the name of his god, And we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”
With the advent of a new Mormon prophet being called into office, we thought we’d look at how the Church does this, and compare it to what the Bible says.
We’re on our knees praying the Mormon people will take heed of the declaration in Micah and denounce the false gods they’ve embraced!
According to the Church’s website, a new prophet isn’t actually chosen in the way you, or I, might think. The next prophet simply takes his new job based on seniority. The apostle that’s been in office the longest is next in line.
“Seniority…The Lord controls the order of succession through seniority (determined by the date the Apostle was ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve, not his age). “The Lord … permits to come to the first place only the one who is destined to take that leadership. Death and life become the controlling factors.” – LDS.org
They base this off what it says in Acts 1:15–26. While the majority of that passage speaks of the death of Judas, the key verses are actually in vv. 20-26 –
“20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Apparently, the new apostle should’ve been with the other apostles to witness Jesus’ resurrection. Furthermore, they cast lots to make their selection from those who were qualified.
Neither of those scenarios took place in Mormonism, so why are they using this bible passage to show how they went about choosing their next prophet?
Moreover, according to their rules, and regulations, they really don’t need to pray when the system is set up to install the next in line according to seniority! What if the next in line isn’t fit to serve as the prophet? Is it just the next in line once again?
What if the next in line doesn’t feel qualified to serve as God’s appointed?
From the looks of things, Russell M. Nelson should be the next appointed prophet. The Church announced they’ll make an official announcement about the new leadership on January 16, 2018.
We’re also wondering why the Church has so many apostles. The Bible only mentions the original twelve, plus the one chosen after Judas committed suicide. If the LDS Church is really modeled after the original church, why so many apostles? To date, the they’ve had 100 apostles since their inception in 1830.
Pray for Mormons everywhere to think about this man-made system to be exposed for what it is: a pyramid scheme.
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
Yes, ultimately there were 12 “disciples”. But there weren’t always 12. They didn’t start on the same day, and they died at different times. And no one replaced them.
In truth and love, Melissa
So true! All it takes is reading the Bible a few minutes to see how it all took place!
You are confounding different aspects.
Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (note a better translation would be: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, without first revealing his secret unto his servants the prophets”). As God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and seeing as how His work is not done, LDS believe Prophets are still a necessity.
Ephesians 4:11-14 “And he [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (read the whole chapter). Have we arrived at a unity of faith? Are we truly one? We still need prophets, apostles, evangelists, teachers, and pastors.
1. Choosing of new Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and his counselors)
When the current Prophet dies, the First Presidency is dissolved and the counselors return to their respective places based on seniority (eg. date they were called as Apostles). The Senior Apostle (President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) acts as earthly leader of the Church during the interregnum.
Some time after the funeral of the previous Prophet, the Apostles meet together to choose the new Prophet. The pattern of choosing the Senior Apostle was established after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr. The other Apostles may sustain or oppose. After the new Prophet is sustained, he chooses two (or more) counselors who may or may not be existing Apostles. The existing Apostles sustain or oppose. The Counselors are called as Apostles if they are not already.
2. Calling new Apostles
Whenever there are fewer than 12 members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the First Presidency and the Apostles get together to discuss how to fill the vacancies. You can rest assured there is much prayer and fasting in the selection process. One of the roles of the Apostle is to be a special witness of Christ. The new member of the quorum isn’t truly an Apostle until he has received a special witness of the resurrection of the Lord. This manifestation is generally a personal visit from Jesus within the temple.
You take issue that there have been over 100 Apostles in the LDS Church since 1830. There are only ever 12 Apostles in the Quorum at any given time. The fact that Matthias was called as an Apostle after Judas killed himself sets a pattern. Paul and Barnabas are called “Apostles” yet weren’t in the original Twelve. Peter (bishop of Rome) was the senior Apostle and the other Apostles recognized this seniority (eg. Peter had to authorize baptizing gentiles).
3. After changes are made in the First Presidency or when new Apostles are called, the changes are announced to the entire membership of the Church where each member may sustain or oppose the changes. Those with opposing views are heard.