Apostles will ‘direct the church’ until First Presidency is reorganized, Latter-day Saint leader says

SALT LAKE CITY – As the 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints got underway Saturday morning, a top leader told attendees that the worldwide faith is under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “until such time as the First Presidency is reorganized.”

“This is known as an apostolic interregnum, and it has occurred at various times throughout the history of the church,” said Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had previously served in the First Presidency under President Russell M. Nelson, who died last weekend at age 101.

Elder Eyring noted that he and President Dallin H. Oaks, who is expected to succeed President Nelson as leader of the church, “have taken our places in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles based on our seniority within that quorum.”

The last time general conference was overseen by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles – in the absence of the First Presidency – was in 1951 after President George Albert Smith died. Before that, it occurred several times in the 1800s.

President Oaks gave introductory remarks at the conference Saturday morning before members once again formally sustained him as president of the Quorum of the Twelve. He said the two-day conference will proceed as it was outlined by President Nelson before his death.

“President Nelson understood the value of general conference to provide direction to the Saints in the coming months,” said President Oaks. “We honor him by following the planned conference schedule he approved.”

President Oaks also paid a brief tribute to the late prophet, with whom he served as a top church leader since 1984.

“I love Russell M. Nelson and have learned more about the gospel and gospel leadership from my long friendship and association with him than from any other leader I have personally known,” President Oaks said. “He is our model, as a servant and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

President Nelson’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday at noon at the Conference Center. A public viewing will be held the day before.

‘Our hearts are mourning’

During the opening session of conference, another church leader also noted the recent violence at a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse in Michigan. Police said a gunman crashed his truck into the meetinghouse in Grand Blanc last Sunday and began shooting before setting the building on fire. Four people were killed, and eight others were injured.

Friends of the suspect, who was shot and killed by police, said he had often expressed hatred for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to the Associated Press.

“We realize that our hearts are mourning loss, and some feel uncertainty caused by violence or tragedy throughout the world,” said Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as he began his talk about peacemakers. “Even devout people gathered in sacred spaces – including our hallowed chapel in Michigan – have lost their lives or loved ones. I speak from my heart, realizing that many of your hearts are burdened by what you, your families, and our world have undergone since last general conference.”

Echoing a refrain often shared by President Nelson before his death, Elder Stevenson encouraged people to make peace with those around them, including online.

“Before posting, replying, or commenting online, ask, will this build a bridge? If not, stop. Do not send,” Elder Stevenson said. “Instead, share goodness. Publish peace in the place of hate.”

Sessions of general conference continue through Sunday afternoon. You can watch it on KSL channel 5 or on the church’s website.