There are currently 53 General Authorities who hold "emeritus" status. They have been "excused from active service", but are not released and retain their callings for the rest of their lives. When first announced in 1978, the purpose given was "the very rapid growth of the Church across the world, with the attendant increase in travel and responsibility". Although used comparatively sparingly, to-date, emeritus status is at the discretion of the Council of the Twelve and potentially applicable to General authority.
EllieFebruary 23, 2013
This is true. Latter-Day Prophets aren't allowed to resign even when they have Alzheimer's like Benson did. But are they really leading the church?
Here is an LDS perspective on it:
https://latterdaycommentary.com/2008/04/14/when-a-prophet-gets-alzheimers-disease/
Gerald G FullerFebruary 20, 2013
I would assume that the fact that the Pope has now resigned might make it look as if any revelation that President Monson might receive regarding possible "Emeritus Status" for the President of the Church based on age or state of physical or mental health would look like copying. But I would not be at all surprised if some of our Prophets have not already prayed for guidance in this area, and I will not be surprised if sometime within 10 or 20 years such a revelation is received.
Of course Prophets can be released and are every time a Prophet dies. But the question is, I guess, "can 'The Prophet'" to the whole world be released short of death. I think the answer is "of course! Any time he is incapacitated physically or mentally, he is released or at lest placed on leave of absence by that very incapacity, until he recovers sufficiently to resume his duties. There are some keys that we have understood that only the Senior Apostle holds. But what if we have not quite understood that and a new revelation would clarify that when the President of the Church is not able to function, then the Council of the Twelve becomes the presiding council of the Church with all that involves? If such should be revealed, who would argue against it?
Heather MooreFebruary 20, 2013
The Catholic Pope doesn't have the "12" to help him, but he does have legions around him to help, which is why no other pope has resigned before. I actually commend him for doing so and recognizing that he was only a figure head because of his poor health. There must be many other factors that we don't know about yet and perhaps it was divinely inspired. No, our prophets don't resign, at least not so far, but I'd hope that if it did happen one day, people would be understanding. Interesting article & thoughts!
SteveFebruary 20, 2013
Actually, I read an article that referred to two other occasions where Catholic popes resigned in ancient times. If I recall correctly, one was a pople who was too young and inexperienced, and he resigned after a few months in the position.
JadonFebruary 20, 2013
Interesting thoughts. I appreciated the example you gave of President Kimball and in the comments, President Benson was also mentioned. Both were inspiring the way they continued as best they could. I do not see something "wrong" if due to health concerns a prophet was released. While I don't know much about it, many general authorities are given an emeritus status. Observing President Monson, I wondered if he might not be struggling with Altzheimers? As with David, I see no stigma in allowing people who have served faithfully for so long to rest when plagued by health problems
DavidFebruary 20, 2013
Why should there seemingly be a stigma attached to the president of the Church being honorably released, especially if his facilities are impaired to the point where he cannot effectively function, when no such stigma attaches to other general authorities who are released with an "emeritus" designation? Do we think that in the true church God would never let his prophet become incapacitated?
emigFebruary 20, 2013
The president of church auxiliaries, including the Relief Society, used to be a lifetime calling and that changed during David O. McKay's time as prophet. Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy didn't always have the mandatory retirement age of 70, but they have for many years now. Changes have been made in the past and I'm sure will be made in the future, at least if we truly believe in the ninth Article of Faith.
A DavisonFebruary 20, 2013
A thought-provoking article. As long as a prophet seer and revelator is alive, who has the authority to 'release' him? Surely only the Lord, and it would be through death. I can only imagine the amount of tutoring required at that level of authority to make sure leadership was in place before President Kimball was permitted to leave.
LexaGraemeFebruary 20, 2013
Thank you for this. I remember President Kimball, and knew he was ill for years, but did not know how serious it was.
I do remember President Benson, and how his physical and mental health deteriorated while President. Your comment about President Kimball making sure leadership was in place, no doubt, could also apply to President Benson, as well.
Clarissa SmithFebruary 20, 2013
Thank you for the insightful article. It was sensitive and informative.
Herbie ShawFebruary 20, 2013
I do believe that a prophet would never resign. But, given a circumstance of ill health, he could be released.
Comments | Return to Story
MichaelFebruary 25, 2013
There are currently 53 General Authorities who hold "emeritus" status. They have been "excused from active service", but are not released and retain their callings for the rest of their lives. When first announced in 1978, the purpose given was "the very rapid growth of the Church across the world, with the attendant increase in travel and responsibility". Although used comparatively sparingly, to-date, emeritus status is at the discretion of the Council of the Twelve and potentially applicable to General authority.
EllieFebruary 23, 2013
This is true. Latter-Day Prophets aren't allowed to resign even when they have Alzheimer's like Benson did. But are they really leading the church? Here is an LDS perspective on it: https://latterdaycommentary.com/2008/04/14/when-a-prophet-gets-alzheimers-disease/
Gerald G FullerFebruary 20, 2013
I would assume that the fact that the Pope has now resigned might make it look as if any revelation that President Monson might receive regarding possible "Emeritus Status" for the President of the Church based on age or state of physical or mental health would look like copying. But I would not be at all surprised if some of our Prophets have not already prayed for guidance in this area, and I will not be surprised if sometime within 10 or 20 years such a revelation is received. Of course Prophets can be released and are every time a Prophet dies. But the question is, I guess, "can 'The Prophet'" to the whole world be released short of death. I think the answer is "of course! Any time he is incapacitated physically or mentally, he is released or at lest placed on leave of absence by that very incapacity, until he recovers sufficiently to resume his duties. There are some keys that we have understood that only the Senior Apostle holds. But what if we have not quite understood that and a new revelation would clarify that when the President of the Church is not able to function, then the Council of the Twelve becomes the presiding council of the Church with all that involves? If such should be revealed, who would argue against it?
Heather MooreFebruary 20, 2013
The Catholic Pope doesn't have the "12" to help him, but he does have legions around him to help, which is why no other pope has resigned before. I actually commend him for doing so and recognizing that he was only a figure head because of his poor health. There must be many other factors that we don't know about yet and perhaps it was divinely inspired. No, our prophets don't resign, at least not so far, but I'd hope that if it did happen one day, people would be understanding. Interesting article & thoughts!
SteveFebruary 20, 2013
Actually, I read an article that referred to two other occasions where Catholic popes resigned in ancient times. If I recall correctly, one was a pople who was too young and inexperienced, and he resigned after a few months in the position.
JadonFebruary 20, 2013
Interesting thoughts. I appreciated the example you gave of President Kimball and in the comments, President Benson was also mentioned. Both were inspiring the way they continued as best they could. I do not see something "wrong" if due to health concerns a prophet was released. While I don't know much about it, many general authorities are given an emeritus status. Observing President Monson, I wondered if he might not be struggling with Altzheimers? As with David, I see no stigma in allowing people who have served faithfully for so long to rest when plagued by health problems
DavidFebruary 20, 2013
Why should there seemingly be a stigma attached to the president of the Church being honorably released, especially if his facilities are impaired to the point where he cannot effectively function, when no such stigma attaches to other general authorities who are released with an "emeritus" designation? Do we think that in the true church God would never let his prophet become incapacitated?
emigFebruary 20, 2013
The president of church auxiliaries, including the Relief Society, used to be a lifetime calling and that changed during David O. McKay's time as prophet. Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy didn't always have the mandatory retirement age of 70, but they have for many years now. Changes have been made in the past and I'm sure will be made in the future, at least if we truly believe in the ninth Article of Faith.
A DavisonFebruary 20, 2013
A thought-provoking article. As long as a prophet seer and revelator is alive, who has the authority to 'release' him? Surely only the Lord, and it would be through death. I can only imagine the amount of tutoring required at that level of authority to make sure leadership was in place before President Kimball was permitted to leave.
LexaGraemeFebruary 20, 2013
Thank you for this. I remember President Kimball, and knew he was ill for years, but did not know how serious it was. I do remember President Benson, and how his physical and mental health deteriorated while President. Your comment about President Kimball making sure leadership was in place, no doubt, could also apply to President Benson, as well.
Clarissa SmithFebruary 20, 2013
Thank you for the insightful article. It was sensitive and informative.
Herbie ShawFebruary 20, 2013
I do believe that a prophet would never resign. But, given a circumstance of ill health, he could be released.
ADD A COMMENT