The last time The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had to replace a second counselor in the First Presidency who died in office was about 75 years ago.
On Dec. 11, 1931, President Charles W. Nibley, second counselor to President Heber J. Grant, died at age 82. He wasn't replaced until more than 15 months later, on April 6, 1933, when J. Reuben Clark Jr. became President Grant's second counselor.
The current second counselor vacancy came with the death on Aug. 10, 2007, of President James E. Faust.
The church has replaced other second counselors since the time of President Nibley, but those replacements came because of the death of other members of the First Presidency.
The First Presidency is the governing body and highest ranking quorum in the LDS Church. It consists of a president and at least two counselors.
There have been 23 second counselors in all of church history, dating back to President Frederick Granger Williams, who was second counselor to President Joseph Smith.
Members of the LDS Church believe counselors are called by revelation through the church president. Counselors in the First Presidency are almost always apostles, but there are some exceptions — President Clark wasn't ordained an apostle until Oct. 11, 1934, more than 18 months after he became second counselor.
Frederick G. Williams, William Law, Daniel H. Wells and Charles W. Nibley were all second counselors in the First Presidency who were not ordained apostles. They were simply high priests.
In addition, 14 extra counselors have been called to the First Presidency over the years. The most recent extra counselor was President Gordon B. Hinckley, who was called as a third counselor to President Spencer W. Kimball on July 23, 1981, and served until he became second counselor on Dec. 2, 1982.
There also have been nine assistant counselors called to the First Presidency.
Today, the second counselor is most commonly called from among the members of the Quorum of the Twelve. The most senior apostles are not always those selected.
According to the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism," LDS Church members believe that Peter, James and John in New Testament times comprised a First Presidency, with Peter as the presiding officer.
Members of the First Presidency are not co-equal, and the counselors have a subordinate role, with the first counselor having precedence over the second counselor.
Traditionally, the first counselor sits at the president's right side.
The Encyclopedia also states that it is the president who selects his counselors. Upon the death of the president of the church, the First Presidency is automatically dissolved. Ultimate authority in the church then passes to the Quorum of the Twelve. The counselors, if they are apostles, return to their respective positions — based on seniority as an apostle — in the Quorum of the Twelve.
• J. Reuben Clark Jr. served as second counselor twice, once to President Grant and also to President McKay. He was also a first counselor twice.
• Rudger Clawson served the shortest term in church history as a second counselor in the First Presidency — just four days — because of the death of President Snow. Elder Clawson was never set apart as counselor, though called.
• Joseph F. Smith was the longest-serving second counselor, with 21 years as a second counselor.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com
