Pres. Hinckley died this evening...

Here is the link to an article I was able to find: link

 

While I am sad, it certainly is reassuring to have a testimony that all of the keys and powers to make the Church work and function sit with the 12 and not with only one person.

 

Upon further reflection, that is the only sane, logical way to go, especially since this is God’s church. I mean, why put all of the keys in one person’s hands, except by necessity? Joseph Smith didn’t have a choice, since he was the first. But after that, obviously the Twelve are going to be the ones to make decisions, since you need to spread the keys/power around so that they can be utilized to make the work go forward. Also, accidents can happen to anyone, and since we have been told that the truth will not be taken away again, the keys have to reside with the Twelve. Since there is a very small chance of all 12 being taken at one time, someone would always be around to make sure the power/keys were not lost again. And even then, the keys also still reside with the quorums of the 70. So, they could always ordain another Apostle, give him the necessary authority, and then he could ordain other Apostles to repopulate the Quorum. And the work continues.

 

I feel kind of sorry for Sidney Rigdon when he tried to go it alone. He just didn’t have a chance. He didn’t realize that that isn’t God’s way. (Not that I claim to understand the mind of our Heavenly Father...)