The Deseret News is reporting that Elder Richard G. Scott has died, surrounded by family. He had been previously hospitalized in April due to internal bleeding, and has struggled with his health. I’m trying to remember when was the last time there were three vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It could have been more than a century.
What are your thoughts regarding Elder Scott’s passing?
Wheat & Tares 
I think it was 1906 when 3 were called at the same time, that’s more than a century.
George F. Richards – LDS Church Apostle, called by Joseph F. Smith, April 9, 1906 – August 8, 1950, Son of Franklin D. Richards
Orson F. Whitney – Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Joseph F. Smith, April 9, 1906 – May 16, 1931
David O. McKay – LDS Church Apostle, April 9, 1906 – January 18, 1970.
I’m saddened at his passing. He was a wonderful servant to the saints.
We’re looking at 3 extremely conservative apostles coming into the ranks.
E. Scott will be missed. I loved his sermons.
Sympathies to his family and all who will be saddened at his passing.
Three new apostles at one time. Seems like a real opportunity for growth, change and rejuvenation.
I always loved Elder Scott’s talks. Sometimes his cadence put me to sleep, but they were always great for rereading, pondering, and praying over.
I really liked Elder Scott.
Condolences to the family.
I always fell asleep during his talks too. There was something about his style that I didn’t quite relate to. He was certainly not one of the Apostles that had a high profile or was charismatic. My thoughts are with his family and the other Apostles at this time.
I think he went to the same elocution teacher as Pres Monson.
I am predicting that at conference pres Monson, and Nelson will retire/step down, allow the new Prophet to be chosen by the Lord, not tradition, and we can have a generational change. Preferably with Pres Uchtdorf as Prophet.
My record as a prophet is not too good, but I am an optomist.
Geoff – if I was a betting person I’d imagine there would be very long odds on your prediction. I like it. But sadly I don’t think it will be the case.
Elder Scott was born in my hometown so I’ve always felt an affinity for him. I’ll miss his piercing gaze and unending compassion. At times his tone could seem monotonous but mostly I’ll remember how he seemed so nurturing and understanding. His talk a few years ago about how to love and treat people who aren’t currently attending church was so great.
I also love that he is the only Q12 widower that refused to get remarried because he could never imagine himself with anyone else. #relationshipgoals
My condolences to his family.
Feels like everything is up in the air for general conference.
I too had a tendency to nod off while he was speaking, simply because he was so soothing to listen to. But I loved reading (and re-reading) his talks.
I once wondered to a friend what it would be like to have LeGrand Richards follow Elder Scott in general conference. He said, “Dude! That would be like going from Valium to LSD!”
I too was saddened to see Elder Scott pass but it’s the way of things. Not merely his praiseworthy record of service as a General Authority and Apostle, but the man had a lot to do with the present-day nuclear Navy. You’d have to understand the technical challenges were enormous in what was then very much an emerging field, and Richard Scott broke new ground in so many ways in developing a viable nuclear reactor that was not only compact enough, but reliable and safe enough to trust with the lives of our submariners and the strategic nuclear assets (Polaris, Poseidon and the two versions of Trident). In no small part was Elder Scott’s genius (that along with ADM Rickover’s relentless management style) responsible for the results, particularly with the “41 for Freedom” program. The US Navy didn’t have a version of the ill-fated Soviet Sub K-19 (“Widowmaker”) or any other of their submersible radioactive coffins.
Legrand richards was awesome!
Clair Barrus has an interesting history on vacancies in the Q12. Apparently it happened a lot in the 19th century! http://www.withoutend.org/vacancies-quorum-twelve/
#15 – thanks for the ref, Heretic. We fail to appreciate the relative calm with regard to the Church’s affairs (indeed, at times it’s as exciting as watching crabgrass grow) and fail to recall how at times things got rather interesting.
And then there were ACTUALLY twelve…now, it’d be highly inappropriate to place odds on whether a man of ‘colour’ will be called to be an Apostle, but I’d say it’s almost dead certain. In fact, it would NOT surprise if the FP and the healthier members of the Twelve have already been interviewing prospects in advance, so the appointment(s) and subsequent announcements can proceed in time for Conference.
What I can be ABSOLUTELY sure of, in a manner of NOT betting for the Jersey City Generals against the Harlem Globetrotters (Krusty the Klown once thought the Generals were ‘due’), is that the will of the Savior regarding the affairs of His Church will be carried forth. At times when I’ve wondered, in effect, why THIS ‘guy’ in whatever position, in time, I get a witness or testimony that indeed that is who the Lord wants there.