President Nelson Is Now the Church’s Longest-Living Apostle

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Four months after he became the oldest President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson now has become the Church’s longest-living Apostle in this latter-day dispensation.

As of August 8, 2022, President Nelson — who was born September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City — has lived for 35,764 total days, or just a day shy of 97 years and 11 months if using calendar dates.

Previously, Elder David B. Haight, who served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1976 to 2004, was the Church’s longest-living Apostle. Born September 2, 1906, he had lived 35,763 days when he passed away on July 31, 2004. Online calculators credit that day total as 97 years, 10 months and 30 days; comparing calendar dates it is just several days short of 97 years and 11 months.

On April 14 of this year, President Nelson turned 97 years, seven months and six days old, and became the longest-living President of the Church, surpassing in age the late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who passed away in 2008 at 97 years, seven months and five days.

Church News President Nelson Is Now Oldest President of The Church

Next month, President Nelson will celebrate his 98th birthday, on September 9.

President M. Russell Ballard, the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is No. 8 in the longest-living latter-day Apostle in this dispensation. He is 93 years and 10 month old, with his 94th birthday in two months, on October 8.

Also, President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Counselor in the First Presidency, is the Church’s 19^th Apostle to reach the age of 90. His birthday is August 12.

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While seven of the 17 who have served as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have lived to be 90 or older, the president is determined not by age but by seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, or length of tenure in the quorum.

For example, President Hinckley was 94 years old at the October 2003 general conference, when he invited the 97-year-old Elder Haight to the Conference Center pulpit, acknowledging his presence after a recent illness.

“He is a grand old warrior — he is 97 years of age. He has lived longer than any other Apostle in the history of this dispensation,” said President Hinckley, then asking Elder Haight if he wanted to wave to the congregation.

“Yes, I must,” he promptly answered, waving his right arm and hand back and forth several times. “I’m waving. Thank you. Thank you. Nice to be with you.”

nelson oldest apostle
President Gordon B. Hinckley smiles as Elder David B. Haight waves before leaving the Conference Center during the Saturday morning session of general conference on October 4, 2003. Photo by Ravell Call, courtesy of Church News. Copyright 2022 Deseret News Publishing Company.

The Church’s longest-living general authority since its restoration was Elder Eldred G. Smith, the last Patriarch of the Church. The great-great-grandson of Hyrum Smith was called in 1947 and given emeritus status in 1979; he passed away in 2013 at the age of 106.

Below is a list of the Church’s 10 longest-living latter-day Apostles. Additional leadership assignments are also noted.

1. President Russell M. Nelson

President of the Church (2018 to present)
Born: September 9, 1924
Age as of August 8, 2022: 97 years, 11 months, 1 day

2. Elder David B. Haight

Born: September 2, 1906
Died: July 31, 2004
Age at death: 97 years, 10 months, 30 days

3. President Gordon B. Hinckley

President of the Church (1995-2008)
Born: June 23, 1910
Died: January 27, 2008
Age at death: 97 years, 7 months, 5 days

4. Elder LeGrand Richards

Born: February 6, 1886
Died: January 11, 1983
Age at death: 96 years, 11 months, 6 days

5. President David O. McKay

President of the Church (1951-1970)
Born: September 8, 1873
Died: January 18, 1970
Age at death: 96 years, 4 months, 11 days

6. President Joseph Fielding Smith

President of the Church (1970-1972)
Born: July 19, 1876
Died: July 2, 1972
Age at death: 95 years, 11 months, 14 days

7. President Ezra Taft Benson

President of the Church (1985-1994)
Born: August 4, 1899
Died: May 30, 1994
Age at death: 94 years, 9 months, 27 days

8. President M. Russell Ballard

Currently Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve
Born: October 8, 1928
Age as of August 8, 2022: 93 years, 10 months, 1 day

9. President Charles W. Penrose

First Presidency counselor (1911-1925)
Born: Feb 4, 1832
Died: May 16, 1925
Age at death: 93 years, 3 months, 13 days

10. Elder L. Tom Perry

Born: Aug. 5, 1922
Died: May 30, 2015
Age at death: 92 years, 9 months, 26 days