Age is just a number. Unless, of course, you’re talking about the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In that world, age is a yardstick, a headline, and sometimes a source of serious debate.
You’ve probably seen the photos of the fifteen men in dark suits sitting in the red velvet chairs. They look distinguished. They look seasoned. Honestly, they look old. And that is by design. But there is a massive difference between "age" and "seniority," and if you mix the two up, you’re missing how the whole system actually works.
The Oldest and the Youngest: Who is Who in 2026?
Let’s get the raw data out of the way first. As of early 2026, the landscape of the Quorum of the Twelve has shifted significantly due to some heavy losses. President Russell M. Nelson, the man who famously told members to "eat your vitamin pills," passed away in late 2025 at the incredible age of 101. His death didn't just leave a hole; it bumped everyone up the ladder.
Right now, Dallin H. Oaks is the senior man on the mountain. At 93 years old, he’s seen nearly a century of change. He’s followed closely by Henry B. Eyring, who is 92. When you look at the "young" end of the spectrum, it’s all relative. Patrick Kearon, one of the newer additions, is 64. In most industries, 64 is the finish line. In the apostleship, he’s basically the intern.
Here is the current breakdown of the LDS apostles by age as we stand in January 2026:
- Dallin H. Oaks: 93
- Henry B. Eyring: 92
- Quentin L. Cook: 85
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf: 85
- David A. Bednar: 73
- Neil L. Andersen: 74
- Ronald A. Rasband: 74
- Dale G. Renlund: 72
- Gerrit W. Gong: 72
- Gary E. Stevenson: 70
- Ulisses Soares: 67
- Patrick Kearon: 64
- Gérald Caussé: 62 (Newly called in late 2025)
Wait, why is Bednar (73) listed before Andersen (74)? Because age doesn't dictate the seating chart. Seniority does.
📖 Related: Finding the Perfect Color Door for Yellow House Styles That Actually Work
Why Seniority Usually Trumps the Calendar
If you walk into a meeting of the Twelve, they don’t sit where they want. They sit in order of when they were ordained. It’s a "last in, first out" system in reverse.
Seniority is based on the date of ordination to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This is why Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar are such a famous pair in Church history. They were both sustained on the same day in October 2004. Since they were ordained on the same day, the tie-breaker was age. Elder Uchtdorf was older, so he was ordained first. That thirty-minute gap in their ordinations means Uchtdorf will always be "senior" to Bednar, even if they live to be 110.
It’s a rigid system. It prevents campaigning. There’s no "running for President" of the Church. You just wait your turn in the queue of mortality.
The "Young" Apostle Anomaly
Occasionally, the Church calls a "young" guy. Back in the day, this was common. Joseph Smith was in his 20s. Thomas S. Monson was called at 36. But lately? Not so much. Most men called today are in their late 50s or early 60s. They’ve usually had a full career in law, business, or medicine before they ever get the "white envelope" invitation.
For example, David A. Bednar was considered a "youth" when he was called at 52. He’s been an apostle for over 20 years now and he’s still only in his early 70s. Because of that early start, there’s a very high statistical probability he will eventually become the President of the Church. He might be the one leading the Church in 2040.
👉 See also: Finding Real Counts Kustoms Cars for Sale Without Getting Scammed
Does the High Average Age Actually Matter?
Critics often point to the average age of the apostles—which hovers around 77—and argue that the leadership is out of touch. They see a "gerontocracy."
But inside the faith, that age is viewed as a feature, not a bug. The idea is that these men have no more "ladder" to climb. They aren't trying to please a board of directors or get re-elected. They are finished with their professional lives. This supposed "out-of-touch" nature is seen by believers as "stability." While the world fluctuates on social issues or political trends, the "Old Guard" moves at the speed of a glacier.
Kinda slow? Yeah. But glaciers are hard to tip over.
The Mental Health and Vitality Question
Honestly, people wonder how a 93-year-old manages a global organization with 17 million members. It’s a valid question. We saw President Nelson traveling the world well into his 90s.
The Church has a "behind the scenes" support system that is second to none. They have a security detail, travel secretaries, and medical professionals who monitor them. But even with the best vitamins, the physical toll is real. We’ve seen more apostles using wheelchairs or speaking while seated in recent years. The Church doesn't hide this anymore; they’ve leaned into the "faithful to the end" narrative.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Obituaries in Kalamazoo MI: Where to Look When the News Moves Online
Surprising Facts About the Current Group
- The International Shift: For a long time, the ages and backgrounds were very "Utah-centric." Now, with Ulisses Soares (Brazil), Gerrit W. Gong (Asian-American), and Patrick Kearon (UK/Europe), the age-seniority mix is getting more diverse.
- The Heart Surgeon Legacy: The passing of Russell M. Nelson ended an era where the top leader was a literal pioneer of open-heart surgery. That scientific background influenced a lot of the Church's COVID-19 responses.
- Career Diversity: Even though they are all "older," their backgrounds aren't identical. You've got former university presidents (Holland, Bednar), a pilot (Uchtdorf), and a businessman who ran a multi-million dollar exercise equipment company (Stevenson).
What Happens When a Vacancy Opens?
When an apostle dies, the remaining members of the Quorum of the Twelve meet in the Salt Lake Temple. They don't hold a traditional vote. The President of the Church (currently Dallin H. Oaks, following the 2025 succession) seeks "inspiration" for a replacement.
The new guy is almost always someone already serving as a "General Authority Seventy." They are rarely "plucked from the pews." The most recent addition, Gérald Caussé, was the Presiding Bishop. He’s 62. He fits the modern mold: old enough to have "wisdom," young enough to hopefully give the Church 20 or 30 years of service.
Actionable Takeaways for Following Church Leadership
If you’re trying to keep track of where the Church is headed, don’t just look at the birth dates. Look at the Seniority List.
- Watch the "Top Three": The First Presidency (The President and his two counselors) sets the immediate agenda. Right now, that’s a very senior group.
- The "Next Generation": Keep an eye on Bednar, Soares, and Kearon. These are the men who will likely be leading the Church when the 2030s and 2040s roll around. Their younger perspectives (comparatively) often show up in how they use technology or talk about mental health.
- Check the Newsroom: The Church updates its official leadership page immediately after changes. In a post-Nelson era, these changes are happening faster than they have in decades.
To really understand the direction of the Church, your next step should be to look at the "date called" rather than just the "date born." This seniority determines who oversees which departments—from missionary work to temple building—and ultimately dictates who will hold the "keys" next.