Russell M. Nelson, a 93-year-old heart surgeon who has served as an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 32 years, was publicly named the next leader of the Mormon church on Tuesday following the death of its previous president.
Historically, confusion over the Mormon succession was gradually ironed out as first church founder Joseph Smith and then his successor Brigham Young died in 1844 and 1877 respectively. Since the end of the 19th century, there has been no question that the church is governed by a president and his two counselors in tandem with a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.