Insured Gerontocracy--Prophets weren't always this old

[_sock puppet]

JSJr claimed he was visited by elohim/jehovah when just 14 years of age. As the only person elohim/jehovah were then talking to in such a human way, JSJr's mantle of prophetship began at that time, when he was just 14 years of age. However, some put his age at 25 when he became "prophet" in 1831.

Brother Brigham was 47 when he became prophet in 1848.

John Taylor was almost 78 when he became prophet in 1880.

Wilford Woodruff was 82 when he became prophet in 1889.

Lorenzo Snow was 84 (1898)

Joseph F Smith was a youngster--about a month shy of his 63rd birthday (1901)

Heber J Grant, the day after his 62nd birthday (1918)

George Albert Smith was 75 (1945)

David O McKay was 77 (1951)

Joseph Fielding Smith was 93 (1970)

Harold B Lee was 73 (1972)

Spencer W Kimball was 78 (1973)

Ezra Taft Benson was 86 (1985)

Howard W Hunter was 86 (1994)

Gordon B Hinckley was 84 (1995)

Thomas S Monson was 80 (2008)


If God only talks to geriatrics, why did god not wait until JSJr and BY were at least 60 years of age before talking to them?

Or, the flip side, why does the Church follow a gerontocratic form of succession?

[_harmony]

Old white men are closer to his age?

The question I have is ... why isn't he talking to them today?

[_sock puppet]

Old white men are closer to his age?

The question I have is ... why isn't he talking to them today?

Maybe elohim/jehovah are talking to this old coots, but given their ages, they are having hearing problems. Isn't that the apologetic, for example, about the black priesthood ban until 1978? Maybe it's not that elohim/jehovah's inspiration transmitter is faulty, but that the old men they've 'chosen' to be receivers can't pick up the signal.

[_harmony]

Old white men are closer to his age?

The question I have is ... why isn't he talking to them today?

Maybe elohim/jehovah are talking to this old coots, but given their ages, they are having hearing problems. Isn't that the apologetic, for example, about the black priesthood ban until 1978? Maybe it's not that elohim/jehovah's inspiration transmitter is faulty, but that the old men they've 'chosen' to be receivers can't pick up the signal.

Actually, I think the better word is "won't".

[_sock puppet]

Old white men are closer to his age?

The question I have is ... why isn't he talking to them today?

Maybe elohim/jehovah are talking to this old coots, but given their ages, they are having hearing problems. Isn't that the apologetic, for example, about the black priesthood ban until 1978? Maybe it's not that elohim/jehovah's inspiration transmitter is faulty, but that the old men they've 'chosen' to be receivers can't pick up the signal.

Actually, I think the better word is "won't".

That's even more cynical that "can't".

[_ludwigm]

Old white men are closer to his age?
The question I have is ... why isn't he talking to them today?

Maybe elohim/jehovah are talking to this old coots, but given their ages, they are having hearing problems. Isn't that the apologetic, for example, about the black priesthood ban until 1978? Maybe it's not that elohim/jehovah's inspiration transmitter is faulty, but that the old men they've 'chosen' to be receivers can't pick up the signal.

Actually, I think the better word is "won't".

That's even more cynical that "can't".

I have hearing problems, but my memory is working (some way...) (and some of my other organs too, but this is off topic...)

There was a diagram about the average age of the Bretheren, from JS to today, produced by one member of MD. I have the picture (printed, to show my TBM wife...) but not he source.
It would fit here.

ETA
Gerontocracy is a hallmark of socialist lager.
Leonid Ilich Brezhnev (Леонид Брежнев), Konstantin Ustinovich Chernenko (Константин Черненко), Fidel Castro, Nicolae Ceausescu, our Kádár János, the Kim Yongs ... the list is long.

The Bretheren are in a good beau monde, with pope and leaders above...

[_moksha]

If God only talks to geriatrics, why did god not wait until JSJr and BY were at least 60 years of age before talking to them?

Or, the flip side, why does the Church follow a gerontocratic form of succession?

Having very mature men helps avoid the reappearance of the Angel with the Flaming Sword.

[_DarkHelmet]

ETA
Gerontocracy is a hallmark of socialist lager.
Leonid Ilich Brezhnev (Леонид Брежнев), Konstantin Ustinovich Chernenko (Константин Черненко), Fidel Castro, Nicolae Ceausescu, our Kádár János, the Kim Yongs ... the list is long.

The Bretheren are in a good beau monde, with pope and leaders above...

Yep, it's the natural side effect of a leader not relinquishing his position until he dies. Joseph Smith was young because he was the first. Brigham Young was relatively young because Joseph Smith was killed at a young age. Since the prophet serves until he dies, and the role of prophet is handed to the guy with the most seniority, and that guy had to wait for the 14 guys who were chosen before him to die, the prophet ends up being extremely old when he finally gets there. Bednar came into the Q12 at a young age (like Monson did) so chances are he'll be the prophet some day. When that day arrives, he'll be really, really old.