Posted by:
Nick Humphrey
(
)
Date: November 11, 2010 06:22AM
i found the answer:
http://www.archive.org/details/proceedingsbefor01unitrich(page 91)
Senator McCoMAS. I should like to ask one question. You say that the councilors are appointed by the president of the church.
How are the apostles selected?
Mr. SMITH. In Ihe first place they were chosen by revelation. The council of the apostles have had a voice ever since in the selection of their successors.
Senator McCoMAS. Had a voice?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Senator McCoMAS. Have they had the election of their successors to perpetuate the body of apostles since the first revelation?
Mr. SMITH. I do not know that I understand your question.
Senator McCoMAS. You say the first apostles were selected in accordance with revelations.
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Senator McCoMAS. Revelations to whom?
Mr. SMITH. To Joseph Smith.
(page 92)
Senator McCoMAS. And the twelve apostles were then first named?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Senator McCoMAS. When vacancies occurred thereafter, by what body were the vacancies in the twelve apostles filled?
Mr. SMITH. Perhaps I may say in this way: Chosen by the body, the twelve themselves, by and with the consent and approval of the first presidency.
Senator HOAB. Was there a revelation in regard to each of them?
Mr. SMITH. No, sir; not in regard to each of them. Do you mean in the beginning?
Senator HOAR. I understand you to say that the original twelve apostles were selected by revelation?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Senator HOAR. Through Joseph Smith ?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir; that is right.
Senator HOAR. Is there any revelation in regard to the subsequent ones?
Mr. SMITH. No, sir; it has been the choice of the body.
Senator McCoMAS. Then the apostles are perpetuated in succession by their own act and the approval of the first presidency?
Mr. SMITH. That is right.
Senator BAILEY, who selects the first president?
Mr. SMITH. The first presidency was chosen in the same way. They
are elected--
Senator BAILEY. I believe the presidency consists of the president and two councilors.
Mr. SMITH. That is right.
Senator BAILEY. I do not refer to the councilors. You have already said that the president chooses or designates them. Who chooses or elects the president? For instance, who elected you to your present position?
Mr. SMITH. 1 was nominated by the twelve apostles and submitted to the whole church and sustained by the whole church.
Mr. WORTHINGTON. Explain what you mean by the word "sustained" in that technical sense.
Mr. SMITH. That is, voted upon.
Senator BAILEY. I understand that. As a matter of fact, the apostles nominate the president and the church elects him.
Do I understand that to be the case?
Mr. SMITH. Well, yes, sir; that has been the case. And then, again, the senior apostle, through custom of the church since the death of Joseph Smith, has been recognized on the death of the president as the legitimate successor to the president.
Senator BAILEY. It is a question of succession rather than of election?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2010 06:27AM by Nick Humphrey.