Apostolic Appointments: The Hidden Politics of Revelation

Описание: When a vacancy opens in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it’s one of the most consequential decisions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this deep-dive, historian and scholar Benjamin Park unpacks the long, complex history of LDS apostolic appointments — from Joseph Smith’s original revelations to Dallin H. Oaks’s upcoming decision on who will replace the late Jeffrey R. Holland. Learn how these selections balance divine inspiration, institutional hierarchy, and sometimes even family legacy.

You’ll explore how the Quorum of the Twelve evolved from a missionary body to one of the most powerful councils in the modern LDS Church. We trace the influence of early leaders like Brigham Young, the rise of dynastic apostles, and the modern push for diversity and international representation. Whether you’re a student of religion, a Latter-day Saint, or simply curious about the intersection of faith and leadership, this episode reveals the deep historical roots behind every apostolic call.

Newsletter link for giveaway: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331

Books:
American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16
Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw

Salt Lake Tribune Mormon Land Podcast interview: https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2026/...

Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:55 Why Appointments Matter
01:57 Origins of the Quorum
02:50 Early Conflicts
04:47 Rise of Apostolic Power
05:56 Brigham Young Era
07:38 Modern Leadership Shift
09:14 Power Struggles
10:06 The 1887 Crisis
11:05 Dynastic Apostles
14:07 Nepotism in the Quorum
15:04 Modern Trends
16:56 Globalization & Diversity
17:45 Recent Apostolic Patterns
18:38 Oaks’ First Appointment
19:32 Who Might Be Next
20:26 Final Thoughts

#LDSChurch #MormonHistory #ApostolicAppointments #religionexplained


About This Channel:
Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past.

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