Lds President

[USNationalist]

The LDS President, is that an office held untill death? Can the title be striped away? If so, who would be doing it and what sort of thing would the president have to do for it to happen.

[Cal]

Originally posted by USNationalist@Apr 6 2005, 09:55 PM

The LDS President, is that an office held untill death? Can the title be striped away? If so, who would be doing it and what sort of thing would the president have to do for it to happen.

Yes, it is for life. And, yes, theoretically it could be stripped away if he were to commit some really grevious sin, like adultery, murder. Priesthood holders, even apostles, have been excommunicated for such (NOt murder, as far as I know, but adultery, yes).

[Amillia]

Lyman Richards for one.

[Jason]

Moses Thatcher for another.

[Snow]

Still - what if the person that had to be removed were the President himself and he didn't want to go willingly?

[Jason]

The LDS President, is that an office held untill death? Can the title be striped away? If so, who would be doing it and what sort of thing would the president have to do for it to happen.

Good questions here. USN, to answer the second parts of your question:

82 And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the High Priesthood;

83 And their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him.

84 Thus, none shall be exempted from the ajustice and the blaws of God, that all things may be done in corder and in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness. (D&C 107)

Still - what if the person that had to be removed were the President himself and he didn't want to go willingly?

Snow, on your question, I would assume that there would be a vote, much like during the succession crisis following Smith's death, that would ultimately decide the matter.

Now my question would be, what if the President sinned, and was willing to leave, does he have authority to appoint another in his stead? The D&C says:

4 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. (D&C 43)

So apparently he can communicate his authority onto another, even though he himself cannot use said authority?

[Jason]

36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. (D&C 107)

Is it possible to transmit authority thorough one who's had his priesthood "withdrawn" according to the above?

[leeuniverse]

Now my question would be, what if the President sinned, and was willing to leave, does he have authority to appoint another in his stead? The D&C says:

QUOTE 

4 But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead. (D&C 43) 

So apparently he can communicate his authority onto another, even though he himself cannot use said authority?

This is a inaccurate reading.....

The verse above in question is speaking on the "gift" of Prophecy and the relating of the Commandments from God, as to who is given the authority to relate such to the Church.

So what this verse is stating is that MORE than ONE person can have the gift of Prophecy in the Church, and for the Church, but only one at a time. And the one who had it, has the authority to call another which also has it given.

For example, sometimes a Prophet doesn't Prophecy, for whatever reason, maybe his own personal problems at the time. When this happens, that Prophet can appoint another who has the authority to Prophecy in the name of the Lord. Remember now, there are two kinds of Prophets, though not mutually exclusive. There are Seers and their are Watchmen. Right now, there is predominately Watchmen leading the Church, the Lord has not a need for a Seer. Remember also, that all of the Apostles are set apart as Prophets, Seers, and Revelator's. In otherwords, they hold all the keys of Prophecy's as Prophets. So, if the Prophet was Revelating, and he couldn't any longer, he would call another in the Apostleship, or maybe someone else who would be set apart whom had something from the Lord to say.

So, the above verse DOES NOT apply to the issue you are asking about.

If the Prophet of the Church were to loose his authority, the Twelve Apostles as a quorum would call the next in Line, that being whomever is the most senior Apostle. So in answer to your understanding, no, those who loose their Priesthood Authority have no power and authority to call anyone to do anything. The above verse is only applicable to the "Gift" of Prophecy, not as the head of the Church. Note, there is Biblical Precedence for this as well, because there was Prophets and Seers in the early Church who apparently were not one of the Apostles of Christ. But there is not any information on this, so we can't really be sure how everything operated back then. Clearly it must have been something that was immediately lost, because there is no mention of such things in history and Catholic history.

I hope I was able to help....