SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A former Utah Supreme Court justice is expected to be named the next president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the death of President Russell M. Nelson over the weekend.

Announcing his successor — Dallin H. Oaks — is largely a formality because the church has a well-defined leadership hierarchy that has governed it for decades. Nothing will change in the leadership body until some time after Nelson's funeral, which is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Here's a closer look at how the leadership structure is arranged and how new members are chosen:

Who leads the church?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by a president and his two top counselors, forming what is known as the First Presidency. They usually come from a governing bo

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