Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest governing body of the Church. The highest governing body is the First Presidency.

Each member of the Quorum is considered to be an Apostle (See Apostle (Mormonism). Each is also ordained as a "Prophet, Seer and Revelator". Thus, each Apostle is considered to hold the rights ("keys of the Priesthood") to use all powers granted by God to the Church. However, these "keys" are considered dormant until the Apostle is entitled to exercise them, such as when they become President of the Church. Thus, officially, only the President and Prophet of the Church is entitled to receive revelation for the entire Church. When the President of the Church dies, the most senior member of the Quorum is,when prepared to reconstitute the First Presidency, ordained as the President and Prophet of the Church.

The most senior remaining member of the Quorum is then invariably called as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As vacancies arise within the Quorum, all of the Apostles, including the First Presidency, meet to pray and to come to a unanimous decision as to whom among the rank and file of the Church will be called to fill the vacancy. The Apostles will then ordain the next man called to be an Apostle.