Apostles with the longest tenure of service in the First Presidency
Length of service Apostle in the Presidency Positions held in the 1st Presidency
Joseph F Smith 47 years 07 months Counselor to 1st Presidency 2nd Counselor three times 1st Counselor President of the Church David O McKay 35 years 03 months 2nd Counselor twice President of the Church Thomas S Monson 32 years 02 months 2nd Counselor 1st Counselor President of the Church Brigham Young 29 years 08 months President of the Church J Reuben Clark 28 years 06 months 2nd Counselor twice 1st Counselor three times Gordon B Hinckley 26 years 06 months Counselor to the President 2nd Counselor 1st Counselor twice President of the Church Heber J Grant 26 years 05 months President of the Church George Q Cannon 23 years 02 months Counselor to the President Assistant Counselor to the President 1st Counselor three times Daniel H Wells 20 years 07 months 2nd Counselor Heber C Kimball 20 years 06 months 1st Counselor Anthon H Lund 19 years 04 months 2nd Counselor 1st Counselor twice N Eldon Tanner 19 years 02 months 2nd Counselor twice 1st Counselor twice
Other interesting facts:
1. As noted above, J Reuben Clark holds the distinction of having served the longest in the First Presidency without serving as President of the Church.
2. Elder Rudger Clawson holds the distinction of having served the shortest length of time in the First Presidency. Remarkably, he only served for four days. He was
sustained as 2nd Counselor to President Lorenzo Snow on October 6, 1901, but President Snow passed away four days later, on October 10, 1901. The First
Presidency was dissolved at that time and President Joseph F Smith, the next President of the Church, did not choose Elder Clawson to serve in the First
Presidency.
3. President Henry B. Eyring began service in the First Presidency on October 6, 2007. He has served as a counselor to Presidents Hinckley, Monson, and Nelson.
. On October 6, 2023, he will have served 16 years and 0 months in the First Presidency.
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