The LDS Church has a history of nepotism. Of course this is not a new discovery (a quick google search will show this has been discussed before). A few examples are:
- M. Russell Ballard is the grandson of apostles Melvin J. Ballard and Hyrum M. Smith. Through Smith, Ballard is a descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother of church founder Joseph Smith
- Joseph Fielding Smith was the son of church president Joseph F. Smith
- Henry B. Eyring was nephew of church president Spencer W. Kimball
Maybe I will need to do a blog post on this later, but for now I would like to just present the nepotism by the newest LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson and his children (and their spouses).
Four of Russell M. Nelson's sons-in-law have been called as mission presidents (one was additionally called as a temple president), potentially saving his family thousands of dollars in tuition money if his grandchildren chose to attend a church school (LINK).
Additionally, two former bosses of his sons-in-law have since become an apostle and general authority seventy, Ronald A. Rasband and Kevin W. Pearson, respectively (see below).
Daughters
Daughters
- Emily passed away in 1995
- Bradley E. Wittwer (husband of Emily), remarried Julie
- Senior VP of Ingenix 2004-2005 (LINK)
- In 2005 Kevin W. Pearson, CEO of Ingenix (1998-2005), is called as mission president to Tacoma Washington, 2005-2008
- While mission president, Kevin W. Pearson was called as a general authority
- Note: a few years after Wittwer and Pearson left Ingenix the company settled lawsuits for hundreds of millions of dollars. See here for more info.
- Marsha and Marjorie divorced and remarried
- Marsha N. McKellar (H. Christopher)
- Divorced between 1995 and 1997 (?)
- Married Richard Workman between 2005-2010 (?)
- Marjorie N. Helsten (Bradley)
- 4 of the remaining 6 daughters have been called as mission presidents' wives:
- Gloria N. Irion (Richard):
- Tennessee Knoxville Mission President, 2011-2014 (LINK)
- Nauvoo Illinois Temple President, 2016-present (LINK)
- Brenda N. Miles (Richard)
- Alpine German-Speaking Mission President, 2011-2014 (LINK)
- Sylvia N. Webster (David)
- Brazil Curitiba Mission, 2004-2007 (LINK)
- Rosalie N. Ringwood (Michael)
- Korea Seoul West Mission President, 2004-2007 (LINK)
- General Authorities Seventy, First Quorum, 2009-present (LINK)
- He was VP of Huntsman Corp while Ronald A. Rasband was President and COO during which time Rasband was called to be mission president in NYC (and later became a general authority and apostle)
- The remaining 2 sons-in-law have recently been released from stake presidencies:
- Russell M. Nelson Jr (Britney)
- I don't know, but he is only 45 years of age
So what is your point? Perhaps his daughter's married well? A father can only hope for such. I'm grateful for my son in laws.
ReplyDeleteWhy is there nothing on President Nelson's son?
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DeleteApparently he was ordained as a Bishop in May this year 2019 according to Tad Walch . I think your site is pathetic. I recall President Hinckley wanting nothing to do with the calling of one of his sons as a Seventy because he does not want to be accused of Nepotism. God deals with what he's got on his plate. From a small beginning the Church has grown so it is only natural, that when honourable righteous men and women raise righteous children, their extended offspring will be found in leadership positions in the Church. AS I said your site is pretty pathetic, and negativism attracts little traction. Try being positive. The Lord's church succeeds because it is such a positive and good influence amongst its faithful members throughout the world.
DeleteDid they ever discover how President Nelson's wife died?
ReplyDeleteNepotism. I believe it helps keep church matters simple and manageable.
ReplyDeleteWhen his is made an Apostle you be sure to alert us
ReplyDelete...son...
Delete...son...
ReplyDeleteThe nepotism claim suggests a human motive rather than inspiration. Is there any evidence if that?
ReplyDeleteAre you inferring that no other family member or friend if a current G.A. can ever be called to positions if responsibility?
Using the same reasoning, do you consider Christ being the ‘chosen one’ is also nepotism?
Nepotism has existed since the beginning of time. Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, John the Baptist, James the brother of Christ...
ReplyDeleteSome definitions:
Deleten. Favoritism shown or patronage granted to relatives, as in business.
n. Favoritism shown to nephews and other relatives; patronage bestowed in consideration of family relationship and not of merit.
n. Undue attachment to relations; favoritism shown to members of one's family; bestowal of patronage in consideration of relationship, rather than of merit or of legal claim.
How do you know that these positions were not merited? That would be an extremely interesting part of the historical narrative.
Who else would the prophet know more about and their worthiness than those close to him. Come on...why would you criticize him for that.
ReplyDeleteSaving them thousands in tuition by costing them hundreds of thousands as they take three years away from careers to be mission presidents. Good try, but your premise assumes the Church is false, so your conclusion is circular.
ReplyDeleteNepotism is usually invoked when there is wealth involved. Like... Anything Trump and his worthless family do. Service in the Church is almost invariably compensated at a lower rate in dollars than work in the private sector. You think latter day saints serve for the cash and accolades? I am sorry for you.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a stupid argument. It is well known that faith runs in families. Every one who was called were qualified other wise they wouldn't have been approved by the other brethern. I am glad it helps keep us closer in touch with the leadership of the Church.
ReplyDeleteBy their fruits yea shall know them. Look at the leadership of the First Presidency: the premier leaders of medicine, law and academics.
Is there any more demanding call than mission president? Nepotism is usually a problem because it unfairly distributes the spoils -- not the grueling labor.
ReplyDeleteTo serve in the Church is a demanding responsibility, not a financially lucrative perk. It is inherently not a reward to be called to serve in these roles, to be called, and to serve, demonstrates an admirable willingness to dedicate one's resources and time to God and to others.
ReplyDelete