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and not one of the graduated from a BYU. 
I am torn. I would have loved more racial diversity, but I want even more political and compassion diversity – and, from that standpoint, I really like all three of the new apostles. I would rather have another Utah-born apostle right now than a Hispanic apostle who is quite conservative.
I have liberal friends who know each new apostle to some degree – and, to the person, they all like these choices (even as they also would have loved more racial and geographical diversity). They were saddened by the lack of racial diversity, but they were happy about each individual choice.
It’s been an interesting day for me.
Sure, as I said, they are probably all excellent choices. Just weird to have the Church, which has of late made a bit of a show of going beyond the White Male Utahn image go back to the well with these three. But, that’s where we are, so now we can hope for some fresh views to belie the stereotype.
I like the choice of RAR, but don’t know enough about the other two. I look forward to hearing from them tomorrow.
On Own Now wrote:But, that’s where we are, so now we can hope for some fresh views to belie the stereotype.
I also hope the fresh views will be there, but I’m fully expecting them from Sis. Renlund. Don’t know her at all, but just from the “quick facts,” I’m interested in what she’ll bring to the table.On Own Now wrote:Whenever two or more Apostles are called at the same time, their seniority in the Q12 is based on age. This is long-standing, going back to 1835. Examples: SWK and ETB, both ordained on the same day in 1943, RMN and DHO, both called on the same day. Elder Oaks couldn’t be ordained for about a month, while he finished civic duty, but it was irrelevant in terms of seniority, because RMN is nine years older and was the first ordained anyway. DFU and DAB ordained same day, DFU was first, because he is older.
Followup on this. The new Q12 Members are, in order, RAR, 64, GES, 60, and DGR, 62. It’s pretty interesting to me. That would seem to go against the normal pattern of placing in the seniority of the Q12 based on age when called at the same time. My guess is that the first two where already decided-upon and approved by the Q12, after which DGR must have been additionally chosen during that last week leading up to GC. I can imagine that the FP/Q12 might have had discussions about how to arrange the seniority of the new members, since this not-by-age assignment this time is unique in our history.I have to be honest, I was disappointed in lack of racial, cultural, and birthplace diversity in the new selections to the quorum of the 12. I recall a quote by President Hinckley when his son was called as a seventy: “First I’d like to say just a word concerning those we have sustained this afternoon as members of the Quorums of the Seventy. I am convinced that there are literally hundreds of brethren worthy and capable to serve as general officers of the Church. We see them everywhere. ”
I agree with that statement.
I felt the Church had a real golden opportunity to demonstrate that its practice and leadership matches its multicultural world-wide message (as demonstrated by “Meet the Mormons”, the ethnic diversity seen in the youth videos, or pictures of members in the Ensign.)
My dream team was Bishop Gausse, Elder Sitati, and either Elder Costa, Gonzalez or Vinas. I know this was wishful thinking, but I was shocked that all three were white Utah-born members. I was left feeling like we are a Utah based church with fingers trying to extend to other parts of the world rather than a diverse world-wide faith. The honest truth is that many many groups and individuals outside the church perhaps rightfully view our past/present as blatantly racist–I hate that and it is not a label I have any desire to bear. These selections did nothing to quell that criticism.
Having said that, I have absolutely nothing against Elders Renlund (I am aware of his unique background), Stephenson, and Rasband and I am willing to sustain them. I am confident they will represent the Church well. I just feel there may have been many who if called, the Lord would have qualified to represent him honorably and valiantly.
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