Elder Russell M. Nelson was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 7 April 1984. © 2015 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Courtesy mormonnesroom.org
SALT LAKE CITY – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Wednesday Elder Russell M. Nelson has been officially appointed to serve as the President of the LDS Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Nelson was set apart (the term for an official appointment within the LDS Church) July 15, and he succeeds President Boyd K. Packer, who died July 3.
The LDS Church has a practice of naming the senior member, based on date of assignment, as the new president of the quorum when the prior president passes.
According to a press release from the LDS Church: “The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church. Its members serve under the direction of the First Presidency, a governing unit of three men — the president and two counselors.
In addition to their primary responsibility to be special witnesses of the name of Christ throughout the world, the apostles have heavy administrative responsibilities as they oversee the orderly progress and development of the global Church.”
