Hey — have you ever wondered who leads the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the LDS (Latter-day Saints) church? It’s one of those behind-the-scenes roles that most people don’t know about — until it matters. Let’s dig in and see who holds that title now, and why it matters.
What Is the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is one of the highest governing bodies in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Its members are called “Apostles” and are regarded as special witnesses of Jesus Christ.
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They have global responsibilities — organizing congregations, supervising church growth internationally, and advising on doctrine and administration.
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The Quorum operates under the direction of the First Presidency (the President of the Church plus two counselors).
It’s a blend of spiritual leadership and organizational oversight.
How Is the President of the Quorum Chosen?
Understanding who becomes president (or “acting president”) of the Quorum involves a few rules.
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The main rule is seniority: the apostle who has served the longest (by date of ordination to the Quorum) is normally chosen.
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But there’s a twist: if the senior apostle is serving in the First Presidency (as a counselor to the Church President), that person does not act as Quorum President. Instead, the next in line becomes Acting President of the Quorum.
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The title “Acting President” is used when the formal President of the Quorum is part of the First Presidency.
So depending on how leadership is arranged, the “president” role might be held formally or “acting.”
Who Is the Current President (or Acting President)?
Right now, the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is Jeffrey R. Holland.
Here’s how that came about:
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Dallin H. Oaks is technically the President of the Quorum by seniority.
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However, Elder Oaks is currently serving as First Counselor in the First Presidency, so he cannot simultaneously act as Quorum President.
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Because of that, Jeffrey R. Holland (the next in seniority) was set apart on November 15, 2023, as Acting President.
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Holland had already been ordained an apostle in 1994.
So when someone asks, “Who is president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles?” the practical answer is Jeffrey R. Holland (acting), while technically the title belongs to Dallin H. Oaks.
Interesting Facts You Might Not Know
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Seniority, not age, matters — It’s not about how old you are, but how long you’ve held the apostle position.
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Title “Acting” is common — In many past instances, the second-senior apostle has served as Acting President when the first served in the First Presidency.
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M. Russell Ballard’s death changed things — Ballard was the previous Acting President. After his passing on November 12, 2023, Jeffrey Holland succeeded him.
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The Quorum was restored in 1835 — The modern version of the Quorum of the Twelve dates to that year.
These details show how church structure blends tradition, protocol, and real-time adjustments.
I have to admit, when I first heard the phrase “President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” I pictured something like a secular governing council. Learning about the acting-versus-formal rules made me appreciate the balance between continuity and flexibility. It reminds me how systems that seem rigid often have built-in grace for change.
In summary: the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by seniority is Dallin H. Oaks, but because he serves in the First Presidency, Jeffrey R. Holland is currently acting as Quorum President. This system reflects how the LDS Church respects both rank and functional roles. What do you think — does this kind of structure seem efficient or too complex? Let me know your thoughts!