I was amazed at how Mormonism, especially in Utah is dominated by crusty old white men? Do you think their will ever be a black man, woman or minority woman as a member of the twelve or even the first presidency, prophit? Or will it always be dominated by the clan of Utah old timers? I could see it happeneing (a minority or woman geting in) for propoganda purposes one day, but who knows?

Yes I believe TSCC will get black, female and openly gay apostles and prophets. Not in the foreseeable future (though for blacks, it could be next month, if someone dies tonight) but sooner or later it will happen.

If you look its not just dominated by white men, but by white men with strong ties to Utah. Either born there or went to BYU, if I recall correctly. I guess when God does his calling he only looks to those in the inner circle of trust, apparently.

Last time I looked there was an African on the seventy, but of course he's a white Afrikaan.

They're all a minority if you think about it.

Ron

There is a Jesse Jackson story that serves to illuminate the chances.

Jesse Jackson was talkin with God and asked if there would ever be a woman as president of the US. God thought a bit and responded, "Not in your life time, Jessee.

Finally he ask if there would ever be a black as president of the US. God quickly responded, "Not in my lifetime, Jesse!"

The Mormon elite marry with each other and keep the power concentrated among themselves. Converts and people of color will not be allowed into that group in the foreseeable future.

They will have an apostle with the last name Martinez, Fernandez, Romero, or some other Hispanic name. The person will have been raised in the U.S., be culturally white, know nothing about Hispanic food, culture or issues, and will sunburn as quickly as any blonde Norwegian. The person may well have blonde hair and blue eyes. The only clue that have ANY Hispanic background will be in their surname.

They are probably out looking for someone with those qualifications right now that is in their 40s or 50s and grooming them for the position.

P.S. He will also be in his 70s when called, so that there is virtually no chance that he could outlive whoever happens to be the "new" young apostle 20 years from now (as Bednar now is), so as to guarantee he will never be Profit.

But he'll be called when he is too old to have any real shot at the 1st presidency.

I think the will test drive some minorities in the 70's quorums, or use them in the foreign mission fields,(as they currently do), but the top echelon of the LDS Church will continue to be generational Mormons with connections to many to dozens of others by blood and marriage.

I think this kind of generational connections by blood and marriage has been the policy from the beginning.

(My apologies to whoever posted this as I can't give you credit because I forgot to include your name. Please, take credit if this is your post.)

This was posted when GBH was the prophet/president.

The First Presidency
Gordon B. Hinckley : -1st cousin of Joseph B Wirthlin
-1st cousin of Richard B Wirthlin
-nephew of former apostle Arza A Hinckley
-1st cousin, once removed of wife of Neal A. Maxwell
-1st cousin, twice removed of John H Groberg
-3rd cousin, once removed of James E Faust
wife: Marjorie Pay Hinckley -she is not related to any General Authorities

Thomas S. Monson : -2nd cousin, once removed of Graham W Doxey
-3rd cousin, once removed of wife of M Russell Ballard
-3rd cousin, once removed of Spencer J Condie
wife: Frances Beverly Johnson Monson -she is not related to any General Authorities

James E. Faust : -1st cousin, twice removed of former apostle Richard R Lyman
-3rd cousin of former seventy's president Marion D Hanks
-3rd cousin once removed of Gordon B Hinckley
-3rd cousin once removed of former seventy's president S Dilworth Young
-3rd cousin twice removed of former LDS president George Alber Smith
-great grand nephew of former apostle Spencer W Kimball
-2nd great grandson of former apostle Amasa M Lyman
wife: Ruth Wright Faust -she is related to four General Authorities

The Quorum of the Twelve
Boyd K. Packer : -3rd cousin of wife of C Max Caldwell
wife: Donna Edith Smith Packer
-3rd great granddaughter of apostle Luke S Johnson

L. Tom Perry : -nephew of former seventy's president Alma Sonne
-4th cousin once removed of Earl C Tingey
-4th cousin of wife of Richard C Edgley
wife: Barbara Taylor Dayton Perry
-2nd great grand dau of LDS President John Taylor

David B. Haight : -1st cousin once removed of wife of John C Carmack
-2nd cousin once removed of H Verlan Andersen former seventy
-3rd cousin of wife of John E Fowler
-3rd cousin of F Arthur Kay former seventy
wife: Ruby Mildred Olson Haight -she is not related to any General Authorities

Neal A. Maxwell : -first cousin twice removed of O Leslie Stone,former seventy
-wife: Colleen Fern Hinckley Maxwell
-1st cousin once removed from Gordon B Hinckley
-related to four other General Authorities

Russell M. Nelson : -4th cousin of Rulon G Craven
wife: Dantzel White Nelson
-she is not related to any General Authorities

Dallin H. Oaks : -2nd great grand nephew of Martin Harris Book of Mormon witness
1st wife: June Dixon - deceased (relatedness information forthcoming) 2nd wife: Kristen Meredith McMain - married 08/25/2000 - (relatedness info forthcoming)

M. Russell Ballard : -nephew of former patriarch Joseph F Smith
-grandson of former apostle Melvin J Ballard and Hyrum M Smith
-grand nephew of former LDS president Joseph Fielding Smith
-3rd cousin of emeritus patriarch Elder G Smith
-great grandson of LDS president Joseph F Smith
-2nd great grandson of presiding patriarch Hyrum Smith
-3rd great grandson of presiding patriarch Joseph Smith, Sr
wife: Barbara Bowen Ballard
-she is related to five General Authorities

Joseph B. Wirthlin : -son of former presiding bishop Joseph L Wirthlin
-brother of Richard B Wirthlin
-1st cousin of Gordon B Hinckley
wife: Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin
-she is related to fourteen General Authorities

Richard G. Scott : -related to no General Authorities wife: deceased, was related to six General Authorities

Robert D. Hales : -3rd cousin of Carlos E Asay
-3rd cousin of Glenn L Pace
-3rd cousin once removed of Earl C Tingey
-4th cousin to six General Authorities
wife: Mary Elene Crandall Hales
-she is related to three General Authorities

Jeffrey R. Holland : -2nd,3rd cousin or grand nephew to nine General Authorities
wife: Patricia Terry Holland
-she is related to one General Authority

Henry B. Eyring : -1st,2nd or 3rd cousin to eight General Authorities or their wives
wife: Kathleen Johnson Eyring
-she is related to three General Authorities

Never.