You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the whispers in your neighborhood. Following the death of President Russell M. Nelson in late 2025 at the age of 101, the question of whos the next lds prophet became a reality rather than a "what if" scenario. But for most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there wasn't actually a moment of suspense.
The "next" prophet is already here.
On October 14, 2025, Dallin H. Oaks was sustained and set apart as the 18th President of the Church. He didn't win an election. There was no campaign trail. Honestly, the process is so predictable it almost feels boring to outsiders, yet for the 17 million members globally, it’s a deeply spiritual transition that follows a pattern set back in the 1800s.
The Succession Line Nobody Can Skip
The Church doesn't do "interviews" for the top job. It’s all about seniority.
Think of it like a very long, very serious waiting list. When an apostle is called, they start at the bottom of the list. As senior members pass away, everyone else moves up one rung. It’s a literal "last man standing" system.
Dallin H. Oaks was the senior-most apostle when President Nelson died. Because of that, he was the only candidate. It’s been that way since the death of Brigham Young, though there were some messy years in the early church history where things weren't quite so streamlined.
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Who follows President Oaks?
Right now, the line of succession—the men who would be the "next" prophets if the current one passed away—looks like this:
- Henry B. Eyring: Currently the Second Counselor (following the 2025 reorganization) and the most senior apostle after Oaks.
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf: The "Pilot Apostle" everyone loves for his aviation metaphors. He is currently the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve.
- David A. Bednar: A former college president known for his very precise, academic teaching style.
The death of Jeffrey R. Holland on December 27, 2025, significantly shifted the timeline. He was widely expected to lead the Church at some point, but his passing just months after President Nelson’s death reminds everyone that age and health are the ultimate "voting" factors in this system.
Why Seniority Still Matters in 2026
You might think a global organization would want a younger, "hip" CEO to navigate the 2020s. Instead, they have a 93-year-old former Supreme Court justice.
It's about stability.
Dallin H. Oaks spent years in the legal world. He’s a "law and order" guy. His style is markedly different from Russell M. Nelson’s. While Nelson was known for a "global ministry" and a whirlwind of temple announcements (over 200 of them!), Oaks is widely viewed by scholars like Matthew Bowman as a leader who will focus on institutional clarity and religious freedom.
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Basically, the Church uses seniority to prevent power struggles. No one is "climbing the ladder" because the ladder moves on its own.
The Surprise in the 2025 First Presidency
When President Oaks took over, he had to pick two counselors. This is where the only "choice" in the whole process happens.
Most people figured he’d keep the same team Nelson had. He didn't. He kept Henry B. Eyring (a staple in the First Presidency for decades) but surprised many by calling D. Todd Christofferson as his second counselor.
Christofferson, like Oaks, has a legal background. This "Legal Dream Team" at the top suggests the Church is bracing for a period of heavy focus on policy, religious liberty, and perhaps more measured, incremental changes rather than the radical "policy-a-week" pace we saw under Nelson.
What Happens When a Prophet Dies?
The transition isn't instant. There’s a specific "gap" called an apostolic interregnum.
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- The Dissolution: The second the prophet dies, the First Presidency (the top three guys) dissolves. The counselors go back to being "regular" apostles.
- The Quorum Takes Over: For a few weeks, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles runs the whole show.
- The Meeting: They meet in the Salt Lake Temple. They pray. They discuss if it’s time to reorganize. (Spoiler: It always is).
- The Ordination: They lay hands on the senior apostle's head. He becomes the President.
It’s a quiet process. No white smoke. No press conferences until after it’s done.
Looking Ahead: The "Bednar Era"?
If you look at the ages of the current top tier, many are in their 80s or 90s. David A. Bednar, however, is younger (born in 1952). Because of the seniority math, there is a very high probability that Bednar will eventually become the prophet and stay in that role for a decade or two.
This matters because the "next" prophet after the current elderly cohort will likely be the one to deal with the long-term effects of the Church’s shrinking growth in the West and its explosive growth in Africa.
Actionable Next Steps for Following Church Leadership
If you want to stay updated on who is leading or what the current focus is, don't just wait for the news.
- Check the Seniority List: Keep an eye on the "Quorum of the Twelve" page on the Church’s official newsroom. Any time a name is added to the bottom or a name is removed from the top, the "next" prophet changes.
- Watch General Conference: This happens every April and October. This is where the "Common Consent" happens—where members actually raise their hands to sustain the leaders. It’s the closest thing to a confirmation ceremony.
- Study the Counselors: While the President has the final say, the counselors he chooses (currently Eyring and Christofferson) tell you a lot about his priorities. A legal-heavy presidency means a focus on church-state relations and internal policy.
The "next" prophet isn't a mystery. He’s the man sitting in the second chair. Right now, as we move through 2026, the focus remains on President Oaks and how his legal mind will shape a church that is rapidly becoming more global and less Utah-centric.