Solemn assembly (Latter Day Saints)
Encyclopedia
A solemn assembly is a sacred gathering in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) which is held, most often, for the purpose of sustaining a new president and prophet
of the church. Historically, solemn assemblies have also been held for dedication of temples
or for specially called meetings to express the will of the church as a whole.
, the Quorum of the Twelve, the Quorums of Seventy, the remaining Melchizedek Priesthood holders, Aaronic Priesthood holders, Relief Society
members, members of the Young Women organization, and then all members together. The names of all other general authorities are then read, and a sustaining and opposing vote is called for.
The most recent solemn assembly sustaining of church officers of the church took place on April 5, 2008 at the church's Saturday morning session of general conference, where President Thomas S. Monson
was sustained
by the general membership as prophet, seer, and revelator
of the church.
Prophet, seer, and revelator
Prophet, seer, and revelator is an ecclesiastical title used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is currently applied to the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles...
of the church. Historically, solemn assemblies have also been held for dedication of temples
Temple (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
or for specially called meetings to express the will of the church as a whole.
Solemn assembly sustaining of church officers
At the first general conference after the death of a church president and the calling of his successor, the session at which the sustaining vote takes place is called a solemn assembly. At a solemn assembly sustaining, groups of Latter-day Saints are asked to stand in succession and sustain the new president of the church. Typically, the order is: First PresidencyFirst Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
, the Quorum of the Twelve, the Quorums of Seventy, the remaining Melchizedek Priesthood holders, Aaronic Priesthood holders, Relief Society
Relief Society
The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA and has approximately 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories...
members, members of the Young Women organization, and then all members together. The names of all other general authorities are then read, and a sustaining and opposing vote is called for.
The most recent solemn assembly sustaining of church officers of the church took place on April 5, 2008 at the church's Saturday morning session of general conference, where President Thomas S. Monson
Thomas S. Monson
Thomas Spencer Monson is an American religious leader and author, and the 16th and current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . As president, Monson is considered by adherents of the religion to be a "prophet, seer, and revelator" of God's will on earth...
was sustained
Common consent
Common consent is a democratic principle established by the Latter Day Saint movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who taught in 1830 that "all things must be done in order, and by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith." As it is most frequently used by the Church of Jesus Christ of...
by the general membership as prophet, seer, and revelator
Prophet, seer, and revelator
Prophet, seer, and revelator is an ecclesiastical title used in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is currently applied to the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles...
of the church.