Who will now lead the Church of Jesus Christ?

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are led by a group of fifteen men, each ordained as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. The longest-serving Apostle traditionally becomes the President of the Church. The President then selects two Apostles to serve with him in the First Presidency, while the remaining twelve Apostles form the Quorum of the Twelve, with the most senior among them serving as President of that Quorum.

When one of the Apostles passes away, a new Apostle is prayerfully selected by the President and later sustained by the worldwide membership of the Church during General Conference. When the President of the Church passes away, the First Presidency is dissolved, and leadership of the Church temporarily rests with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The counselors in the former First Presidency return to their places within the Quorum, and a new President is chosen under inspiration by the Apostles.

With the passing of President Russell M. Nelson on September 27, 2025, senior Apostle Dallin H. Oaks now serves as the presiding authority of the Church as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. According to the Church of Jesus Christ release, a new President is not expected to be named until after President Nelson’s funeral.

As members around the world honor the life and ministry of President Nelson, they also look forward with faith to the forthcoming reorganization of the First Presidency. This sacred process reflects the divine order of leadership within the Church and ensures that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to be guided by living prophets and apostles called of God.