I have a colleague who argues that the succession to the presidency is accomplished by tradition, since the ranking apostle always becomes the next president. How can I demonstrate to him that his ascertain is incorrect?

Dear Gramps,
I have been in a discussion with a member of a church that claims to be the actual latter day church of succession to the church led by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The claim made by this member is that the LDS church has not followed the guidelines of succession as outlined in Doctrine & Covenants 28:7 and 102:9. He claimed that the LDS church simply ordains the longest serving apostle, in terms of tenure, to the position of president, prophet, seer, and revelator of the church. He says that it is in direct conflict with verses found in the Doctrine & Covenants that clearly state that the Lord would appoint a prophet. He stated that we use tradition and not revelation to call our prophet, hence we cannot be the true church of Christ.
I have always taken the manner in which the LDS church calls its prophet without question and regard it as a matter of faith in that we sustain the Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators, so any of them could be called to serve. How can I best answer my colleague utilizing the scriptures to inform him that his ascertain is incorrect?
Wayne, from Lynwood, California

Dear Wayne,
Your friend from the apostate church has absolutely no ground to stand on. However, there is no point in attempting to show him the truth because he thinks that he has it and is certainly not interested in adopting another point of view. His problem, however, is that he has dictated to God that He cannot appoint by revelation a succession of the ranking apostle to be the next president of the Church. Since he observes from afar the order of succession in the Lord’s true Church, without being privy to what actually occurs when there is a change of president, he merely assumes an act motivated by tradition. What actually happens is in direct and specific accord with the referenced verse in the Doctrine and Covenants 102, which was revealed in February 1834—

The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged in his administration by the voice of the church. And it is according to the dignity of his office that he should preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed. (D&C 102:9-19).

Gramps