How is a Prophet Chosen?

https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-nelson-press-conference-recap?cid=HP_TU_16-1-2018_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL1-A_

People wonder how the new Prophet is chosen. Some envision men who work their way up through the ranks, campaign for votes, and eventually triumph becoming the Prophet. True, this would be man's way of achieving something he wants, but it is not God's way. Throughout time, God has chosen the man He wants to be the Prophet at a particular time. He prepares that man, tests him, then at the right moment, that man becomes the Prophet. Think of Moses', and Samuel's years of preparation and testing before they were given the responsibility of leading the Lord's people. 

Becoming a Prophet is a job that no one has ever sought.  One reason is that being a Prophet has never been a position which leads to great wealth or power. Another reason is that Prophets will probably be very unpopular with most of the people because they must deliver messages from the Lord that the people do not want to hear. People do not like being told that what they want to do isn't right. Consequently, many, many Prophets lost their lives, often at the hands of the people they were trying to help. It was not any better in New Testament times. Then the Apostles were martyred, and even now, people seek the Prophet's life. 

So if being a Prophet has never been something that people strive to become, then why do they do it? Men become Prophets because God asks them to serve Him in this way. This is the mission of a Prophet:

"Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences. At times, they may be inspired to prophesy of future events for our benefit."   https://www.lds.org/topics/prophets?lang=eng

How does God choose a Prophet? First, God chooses the right person to become an Apostle (see Acts 1:23-26). When there is a vacancy in the Apostles, the Lord sends a spiritual impression to the remaining Apostles of the man he wants to fill that position. Often they are not serving in the general leadership of the Church. The Twelve Apostles vote unanimously for the new person to become an Apostle. 

When a Prophet dies, as President Monson just did (we call the Prophet - "President"), the First Presidency (the Prophet and his two counselors, usually apostles) is dissolved, and the men return to their positions in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As a body, the Twelve Apostles hold all the Priesthood powers and keys. The person who has the longest seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve becomes the acting leader of the Church. Within a short time, the Twelve meet in the temple to unanimously vote to confirm the person with the longest seniority (not necessarily the oldest) as the new Prophet of the Church. This system of God ensures that a well tried person, and the person with the greatest experience will serve as His next Prophet. 

As a Church member, I have seen God's wisdom in having a particular man serve as Prophet at a particular time. One example, was President Ezra Taft Benson who served as the thirteenth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After WWII he traveled throughout Europe as an Apostle organizing the Church's relief efforts. He became the Secretary of Agriculture under US President Eisenhower. The Lord had prepared President Benson to be the Prophet when the Berlin wall came down. He was the right man for that moment.

I have seen this happen over and over again, with the right man as the Prophet as that particular time. President Russell M. Nelson has traveled the world, first as a internationally acclaimed heart research surgeon receiving a multitude of awards from many countries. Later, as an Apostle, he has traveled extensively, visiting 133 countries. He speaks several languages, one of which languages is Mandarin Chinese. 

Though I don't know what the future will hold, I feel that the Lord has prepared and chosen President Russell M. Nelson to be His Prophet at this time in history.


for more information
https://www.lds.org/topics/prophets?lang=eng

https://lds.org/church/news/new-first-presidency-speaks-to-members-worldwide?lang=eng&cid=email-NewFP_011618_CTA1c