The Succession of Leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

How new presidents are chosen and sustained in the global faith tradition.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 21, 2026

Branched from Joseph Smith's Role as Prophet and Founder of Mormonism

Quick take

The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is always the senior-most apostle.
Succession occurs automatically upon the death of the current President, preventing a power vacuum.
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reorganizes, with the longest-serving apostle becoming the new President.
This process is seen as divinely guided, ensuring stability and continuity of leadership.

The succession of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints refers to the established, orderly process by which a new President of the Church is chosen and sustained. This system ensures a smooth, predictable transition of spiritual and administrative authority from one leader to the next, maintaining continuous governance for its global membership.

The Principle of Seniority

When the President of the Church passes away, the First Presidency—composed of the President and his two counselors—is automatically dissolved. At this moment, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which is the second-highest governing body, becomes the presiding authority of the Church. The individual who has served continuously for the longest period as an apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve is recognized as the senior apostle. This senior apostle immediately holds all the keys of the priesthood, including those necessary to preside over the entire Church.

Reorganization of the First Presidency

Following a period of mourning and deliberation, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles meets. During this meeting, the senior apostle is formally sustained by the Quorum as the new President of the Church. He then has the prerogative to select two counselors, typically from among the other apostles, to form the new First Presidency. The next senior apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve then becomes the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. If the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is called to serve as a counselor in the First Presidency, the next senior apostle becomes the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve.

Solemn Assembly and Sustaining

Once the new First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are formally organized, they are presented to the entire Church membership during a worldwide General Conference, often in a special "solemn assembly." During this assembly, members are invited to sustain the new leadership through a public vote, affirming their support and commitment to follow those called to preside. This act of sustaining is a foundational principle of Church governance.

This method of succession is crucial because it eliminates any potential for political maneuvering or contested elections. It provides stability and continuity, reinforcing the belief among members that the Church is led by divine direction rather than human ambition. The process applies every time a President of the Church completes his earthly ministry, ensuring an unbroken line of leadership.

Understanding "Priesthood Keys"

"Priesthood keys" represent the authority God has given to priesthood leaders to direct, control, and govern the use of His priesthood on earth.
The senior apostle holds all the keys to preside over the Church, even before being formally sustained as President. This ensures there's never a moment without a presiding authority.

Can the senior apostle decline the call to become President?

No. While the decision to reorganize the First Presidency is made through prayerful deliberation by the Quorum of the Twelve, it is understood that the senior apostle has been designated by divine will to hold the keys and lead the Church. Declining the call would be seen as going against God's will.

What happens if two apostles have the exact same seniority date?

This scenario is virtually impossible. Seniority is determined by the date an individual is ordained an apostle, which is a specific and recorded event. Even if two were ordained on the same day, their position in the Quorum is typically determined by the order in which they were called and set apart.

How long does the transition period usually last between Presidents?

The transition is generally swift, often taking only a few days to a few weeks. The Quorum of the Twelve typically meets to reorganize the First Presidency shortly after the funeral of the preceding President, ensuring continuous leadership.

Is this succession process unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

While many organizations use seniority or councils, the specific combination of automatic succession by seniority, the dissolution and reorganization of the First Presidency, and the concept of priesthood keys as the basis for authority makes this process distinctive within religious leadership structures.

Sources

ChurchofJesusChrist.org: "Succession in the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
Gospel Topics: "Priesthood Keys" on ChurchofJesusChrist.org