We are living in the dispensation of the fulness of times (Ephesians 1:10). In this momentous era, the Lord has given us prophets and apostles to guide us as explained in Ephesians 4:11.
The Bible refers more than a dozen time to the blessing of long life.
Exodus 20:12 "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land"
Exodus 23:26 "The number of thy days I will fulfil"
Deuteronomy 5:33 "Ye may prolong your days in the land"
Deuteronomy 6:2 "That thy days may be prolonged"
Deuteronomy 11:21 "That your days may be multiplied"
1 Kings 3:14 "I will lengthen thy days"
Job 5:26 "Come to thy grave in a full age"
Psalm 71:9, 18 "Cast me not off in the time of old age" "When I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not"
Psalm 91:16 "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation"
Proverbs 3:2 "For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee"
Proverbs 4:10 "The years of thy life shall be many"
Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the Lord prolongeth days"
Proverbs 16:31 "Long life is the reward of the righteous" (Good News Translation)
Ecclesiastes 7:17 "Why shouldest thou die before thy time?"
Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength"
John 10:10 "Life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
Ephesians 6:3 "Live long on the earth"
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3 biblical heroes were specifically blessed to live to a "good old age." Abraham (Genesis 15:15, 25:8), Gideon (Judges 8:32) and David (1 Chronicles 29:28).
The 17 prophets who have presided to date in the dispensation of the fulness of times and their age at death are:
- Joseph Smith 38 (martyred in his prime by an armed mob)
- Brigham Young 76
- John Taylor 78
- Wilford Woodruff 91
- Lorenzo Snow 87
- Joseph F. Smith 80
- Heber J. Grant 88
- George Albert Smith 81
- David O. McKay 96
- Joseph Fielding Smith 95
- Harold B. Lee 74
- Spencer W. Kimball 90
- Ezra Taft Benson 94
- Howard W. Hunter 87
- Gordon B. Hinckley 97
- Thomas S. Monson 90
- Russell M. Nelson 99*
*Living as of August 15, 2024
The mean age at death of these 17 prophets is 85. 8 of the 17 lived into their 90's and President Nelson will likely live to be 100.
Is there another organization of global significance anywhere on earth led by 3 men in their '90's? This seems to be an unequivocal fulfilment of the biblical promises of long life to worthies among the faithful. Happy 100th Birthday on September 9, 2024 President Russell M. Nelson, who will transition from a nonagenarian to a centenarian.
