Can Mormons pick a new phoetphet?

Answer 1

I assume that you mean "prophet", as 'phoetphet' is not a word.

No. Within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church), the Prophet is not chosen by the membership of the Church, and a prophet will only be replaced after he dies.

The next Prophet is the most senior member of the quorum of Twelve Apostles (the one who has been an ordained Apostle the longest, not the oldest member of the group). There is no voting or choosing done by the Church membership. The vacant space in the quorum of Twelve Apostles will then be filled by appointment from the new prophet. [For example, if the current Mormon Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, dies, he would be replaced by the most senior Apostle, Boyd K. Packer. Boyd K. Packer would then choose a man from the membership to fill the vacant Apostle position.]

To be more technical, when the Prophet dies, the First Presidency is dissolved and there is a temporary quorum of Fourteen Apostles. The Apostles will then seek the will of the Lord to assure that the senior member is intended to be the next Prophet. Once they have reached an agreement, the new Prophet will be presented to the Church membership in a Solemn Assembly. After a sustaining vote (a vote of acceptance, not of selection) from the Church membership, he will be ordained by the other 13 Apostles and choose two counselors. The vacancy in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles is then chosen by the Prophet.

Check out the "Related Links" below to view the meeting in which current Mormon Prophet Thomas S. Monson was presented to the general membership during solemn assembly and given a sustaining vote, and Elder D. Todd Christofferson was appointed to fill the vacant Apostle's seat. Click 'watch' on the right sidebar to view the video.