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The resignation of the Pope today due to his advancing age has got me thinking about the LDS situation. We have 15 gentleman at the top of the hierarchy who are there until they die. They have significant responsibilities both within the church and also relating to the church’s ‘side projects’ and commercial interests. They all sit on various committees, write books/articles, fly to conferences and meetings all over the world, etc.
Could it ever be envisaged that we see resignations due to age and diminishing ability to fulfil responsibilities?
We’ve been quite lucky it seems over the last decades with advancing medical technology. I can’t think of many instances where members of the 15 were seriously incapacitated due to age for a significant period. The only big one that springs to mind is President Benson. The growth of the church into more countries and GA’s who are well into their 80s and 90s makes me think this could happen to us at some point too.
I (and others I imagine) can remember when Gordon B Hinckley was called as a “third” counselor to President Kimball because he and his two counselors were In poor health. I’m pretty pleased to be able to say that I don’t remember that…. 
The current set up is there to prevent power struggles. It does explain why the church is twenty to a hundred years behind the times. Setting up a “British” pageant and waving the butcher’s apron flag at a time like this is a classic example. That’s fifty or sixty years behind the times for a dozen reasons. They’re probably scratching their heads as to why the Republic of Ireland doesn’t produce many converts with all this old school Brit unionism.
This has also raised the question for me as to whether the “natural life” policy is strictly doctrinal. It makes sense to me that if all other callings include releases then a prophet should be able to feel inspired to pass the baton. kristmace wrote:I’m pretty pleased to be able to say that I don’t remember that….
+1 Ha! Me niether. Must have been in the early days of the church…
I’ve heard rumors of Pres. Monson having alzheimer’s. Could be just someone’s attemp to explain some of his odd behavior lately though…But I could see how a illness like this could cause problems. Imagine a prophet getting up to give his talk only to forget what he was doing and instead talking about some random thought’s he’s had. Could be pretty embarrassing…
:wtf: Howard Hunter wasn’t up to it physically, (he was the first to be born in the 20th c!) some are painful to watch in GC and can barely speak… and what about senility? Sometimes when they’ve talked about youth they sound like grumpy old men!
I admire and respect the Pope for his decision and the reasoning he gave, all other issues with him aside. The Presidency and Quorum structure we have is different enough that it’s not as much of an issue in the LDS Church as in Catholicism – and Elder Hinckley being the de facto practical leader of the Church before becoming the President is the best example of that.
Having said that, it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if an apostle was granted emeritus status for health reasons – but I don’t “want” that change, necessarily. Elder Maxwell and Pres. Kimball might not have given some of their most powerful sermons if they had been made emeritus during their worst health struggles.
I would prefer that T. Monson doesn’t resign. Mr. Packer is the next in line. Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
cwald wrote:I would prefer that T. Monson doesn’t resign. Mr. Packer is the next in line.
😆 Completely agree!Quote:kristmace wrote:
I’m pretty pleased to be able to say that I don’t remember that….
Hey! Watch it or I’ll hit you with my cane!
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