I think the new leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are great men, and I look forward to their inspired leadership. Sure, some might dismiss my statement, claiming that I am just one of those "brainwashed Mormons", but I don't make this statement lightly.
In 1985, my dad, asked me, "Your Church's General leaders are men who have retired, right?" I replied that most were at the peak of their very successful careers when they gave up their careers to serve as an Apostle of the Lord. I remember that I used President Nelson and President Oaks as examples. This is why I did.
President Russell M. Nelson, who has just become our new prophet, was an internationally distinguished heart surgeon and researcher, and at the peak of his career when he gave up his practice to become an Apostle of the Lord. He had helped to develop the first artificial heart-lung machine which made open heart surgery possible and in 1955 performed the first open heart surgery in Utah. President Nelson certainly didn't agree to accept the responsibility of becoming an Apostle because he thought he would get more acclaim or money. He already had those things and was certainly making far more money than the modest amount he would make as a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Another man who didn't need more acclaim or money is President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor. He had been a law professor at several universities, President of Brigham Young University, and was then appointed to be a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. “I can’t think of anything in public life I’d rather do than be an appellate judge,” he said. But three and a half years later, he resigned from this post to become an Apostle of the Lord. "His greatest desire, he says simply, is to know what the Lord wants him to do—and to do it."
What about Second Counselor, President Henry B. Eyring? He had been a business professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, before being asked to become President of Rick's college.
Each man sacrificed their prestigious highly paid careers to become Apostles of the Lord. That tells me a lot about their character. Also, I have watched each of them for over thirty years, and I have seen men who have strong marriages and are loving fathers of large families. Each has served not only in the Church, but in their community and career field.
I have watched them as they traveled the world to serve the Church members. Year, after year, these men have diligently continued in serving others at a time in their lives when most men are spending their energies in mere leisure pursuits.
Besides demonstrating their love of the Lord and of others, I've noted as they have capably served in numerous positions in the Church. I am impressed with their immense combined experience.
And I believe him.
Now, if we could only have people to lead our government with equal background and character that the new First Presidency demonstrates!
Here are some places if you would like to learn more about President Nelson.
To learn more about President Oaks:
To learn more about President Eyring:
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