“Who were the first apostles of Jesus?”

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865633092/Who-were-the-first-apostles-of-Jesus.html

This week’s Thursday Deseret News column weighs in, somewhat obliquely, on a criticism that frequently goes the rounds among certain contemporary critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:  Why don’t the ranks of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve represent the general membership of the Church, ethnically?

With two current vacancies in the Twelve, the question is again being asked (e.g., relatively tamely, here), with some demanding that the next apostles chosen ought to be Latinos or Asian or perhaps Black.

Personally, I would be quite happy with such choices.  Perhaps even exceptionally happy.

I see little value in diversity of skin color as such, but it would, I freely grant, look nice.  It would be fabulous PR.  And surely it will happen someday.  Perhaps even soon.  Moreover, I see great value in diversity of experience.

But diversity isn’t the sole or even highest priority.  In fact, it’s fairly low on the totem pole.  And I don’t demand it.

Believing, as I do, that members of the Twelve are chosen under divine inspiration, I care much, much more that an apostle be the person that the Lord wants.