Inside the meeting where a new prophet is chosen

When a prophet dies, the transition to the next prophet is orderly and simple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“A people reverently close a grave, dry their tears, and turn their faces to the future,” said one of those prophets, the late President Spencer W. Kimball.

The established pattern is that the senior apostle becomes the next prophet.

“When a president of the church passes away, there is no mystery about who is next called to serve in that capacity,” said President Russell M. Nelson in 2018 when he was introduced as the church’s 17th prophet and president.

President Nelson died Sept. 27. His funeral was held on Tuesday. President Dallin H. Oaks is now the senior apostle. He is expected to be ordained soon as the church’s 18th prophet.

Armed with that knowle