The New LDS First Presidency and the Evolution of the Mormon Hierarchy: Ask Me Anything

Newsletter: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331

Welcome to my monthly live chat in which I take your questions and talk about what's on your mind. I'll be summarizing some of my videos from the past month, as well as looking ahead at what's to come. We'll have plenty to discuss with the recently reorganized LDS First Presidency, which provides a chance to reflect on how the Mormon hierarchy has evolved over the past two centuries. And I'm happy to take whatever questions you might have on Mormon, religious, and American history!

A historic shift in LDS leadership raises big questions. With President Russell M. Nelson’s passing and Dallin H. Oaks reorganizing the First Presidency, what changes—if any—should members actually expect? We dig into precedent, prophetic style, and the long interregnum before the reorganization, then unpack how leadership culture shapes policy.

From D&C 132 to the 2015 policy reversal, we examine prophetic fallibility, canon formation, and why some revelations persist. We also explore D&C 110’s unusual path into scripture, the Book of Abraham apologetics landscape, and how “eternal polygamy” functions today. Plus: recent and upcoming interviews on temple worship, settler colonialism, BYU basketball, and more.

Books:
American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16
Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw

Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:18 Channel Plan
03:03 New Presidency
04:03 Succession History
04:58 Counselors’ Power
05:52 Doctrines Evolve
06:58 Upcoming Interviews
08:55 Prophetic Fallibility
10:52 D&C 132
11:45 2015 Policy
15:16 D&C 110
20:44 Snuffer Movement
22:33 Book of Abraham
27:40 “Alternate Voices”
31:14 Eternal Polygamy
33:56 Sealing Web
40:28 LGBTQ Stance
42:23 Oaks’ Style
45:03 Press Conference
46:53 Temple Pace
59:14 Temple Standardization
1:16:19 Personal Impact
1:18:04 Succession Risks
1:20:53 Lectures on Faith
1:31:48 Historicity Debate
1:33:53 Seer Stones
1:35:30 Wrap Up

#LDS #MormonHistory #FirstPresidency #DallinHOaks

About This Channel:
Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past.

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Views expressed on this channel are those of the presenter and not his employer.