Did Hinckley give David A. Bednar the prophethood as a gift?

[_Dr. Shades]

Let's face it: Considering his age vs. the ages of the other apostles, David A. Bednar is going to be the prophet of the LDS Church someday. Again considering his age, chances are he'll be the prophet for a very long time, too.

Does anyone, Mormon or otherwise, doubt this?

With that in mind, let's examine the timeline. First, Bednar names a new building at BYU-Idaho in Gordon B. Hinckley's honor. Soon afterward, Bednar is promoted directly to Apostle.

Does anyone think that the latter was mere coincidence? Once more, let's face it: Gordon B. Hinckley rewarded David A. Bednar's naming of a building after him (Hinckley) with the gift of Apostlehood. Considering Bednar's age, this was pretty much a guarantee of eventual prophethood, too.

I'd say that any other scenario is a statistical impossibility.

My only question now is how this situation came about:

• Did Bednar act without expectation of reward, and the reward came to him as something of a surprise?
• Did Hinckley suggest this tit-for-tat arrangement to Bednar beforehand, perhaps? Or,
• Was it the other way around, with Bednar proposing this quid pro quo arrangement to Hinckley beforehand?

Please give me your thoughts on what you believe is the most likely scenario.

[_stemelbow]

I'd say that any other scenario is a statistical impossibility.

uh...CFR.

My only question now is how this situation came about:

• Did Bednar act without expectation of reward, and the reward came to him as something of a surprise?
• Did Hinckley suggest this tit-for-tat arrangement to Bednar beforehand, perhaps? Or,
• Was it the other way around, with Bednar proposing this quid pro quo arrangement to Hinckley beforehand?

Please give me your thoughts on what you believe is the most likely scenario.

Well Bednar's still alive, ask him. Other than that all you'll get is speculation. And judging by the critics desire to convict all LDS, you'll get tons of jumping all over Hinckley and Bednar with silly accusations.

love ya tons,
stem

[_Molok]

uh...CFR.

Why are you CFR'ing an opinion?

Well Bednar's still alive, ask him. Other than that all you'll get is speculation. And judging by the critics desire to convict all LDS, you'll get tons of jumping all over Hinckley and Bednar with silly accusations.

love ya tons,
stem

He's asking for speculation.

[_The Dude]

Aren't there other buildings named after Hinckley? Did those other people get promoted to Apostle? If not, then you have n = 1. It looks like you have a coincidence without much going for causation.

Furthermore, the alleged quid pro quo seems way out of balance. Name a building after somebody and you eventually get to be the most powerful man in America? Kiss my butt and I'll give you a billion dollars! This seems unrealistic to me.

[_Quasimodo]

• Did Bednar act without expectation of reward, and the reward came to him as something of a surprise?
• Did Hinckley suggest this tit-for-tat arrangement to Bednar beforehand, perhaps? Or,
• Was it the other way around, with Bednar proposing this quid pro quo arrangement to Hinckley beforehand?

Please give me your thoughts on what you believe is the most likely scenario.

As you know from my being a nevermo, I'm sometimes out of the loop when it comes to the inner workings of the church.

I have had some experience with corporation boards, though. In large corporations nothing much happens by surprise. Things are usually discussed (often in secret) well in advance of any actions.

I've heard (on this board and other places) that Hinckley was not functioning at "full capacity" for some time before he passed away. Maybe he had no part in the deal and it was worked out by others.

Just speculating since you ask for anyone's opinion.

[_stemelbow]

Why are you CFR'ing an opinion?

Statistical impossibility is quantifiable. Her opinion must be based on something, right? Or is it just useless speculation?

He's asking for speculation.

Okay have fun reveling in the hatred for LDS and their leaders then.

love ya tons,
stem

[_Kishkumen]

Furthermore, the alleged quid pro quo seems way out of balance. Name a building after somebody and you eventually get to be the most powerful man in America? Kiss my butt and I'll give you a billion dollars! This seems unrealistic to me.

Yeah, you would think they would have had to have been longtime lovers to get this kind of exchange.

[_harmony]

I've heard (on this board and other places) that Hinckley was not functioning at "full capacity" for some time before he passed away.

That sounds like Benson, not Hinckley.

[_Quasimodo]

That sounds like Benson, not Hinckley.

Sorry if I'm wrong about that. Like I said, sometimes out of the loop.

[_Doctor Scratch]

Dr. Shades---

for what it's worth, I don't think that Bednar would have been able to name the building without the approval of the FP. I mean, let's face it: the Brethren control virtually every aspect of the Church, and thus there is really no way that Bednar would somehow "surprise" Pres. Hinckley with this generous "gift." I mean, maybe Monson or Faust led the charge on this one, but I really don't think there's any way that Bednar named the building as an attempt at some sort of "payola."