From Internet chat rooms to local church buildings, the rumor mill has been churning at full tilt ahead of this weekend's semiannual LDS Church conference. The question on everyone's mind: Who will be chosen to fill the vacancy in the faith's top tier of leadershipfi

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been without a second counselor since Aug. 10 when James Faust died at age 87.

Although church officials can't confirm it, an announcement is expected Saturday, the first of two days of gatherings that feature words of faith-promoting guidance from top leaders of the church.

The appointment decision lies with church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who selected his longtime friend Faust for the job when Hinckley ascended to the presidency in 1995. Thomas S. Monson is Hinckley's first counselor and next in line for the presidency upon the 97-year-old Hinckley's death.

Church policies dictate that seniority rules when it comes to the church presidency, but Hinckley is not similarly bound in choosing a new counselor. He could follow tradition, and select someone among the church's second tier of leadership -- the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles -- or cast a wider net for another candidate, said Philip Barlow, the Leonard J. Arrington chair of History and Culture at Utah State University.

"It could happen, but the overwhelming precedent and theological logic is that it would come from among the apostles," said Barlow.

From the early days of the LDS Church, the role of counselor or providing counsel has been a central theme, Barlow said. Joseph Smith organized a triumvirate of leadership -- a president or bishop and two counselors -- in 1832. That model continues to be used from the highest level of church leadership to local congregations.

Church observers say that from the distance of history it appears church presidents have chosen counselors whose skills enhance or support the needs of the church and mesh with a president's personality.

"It's a spiritual enterprise as well as a pragmatic enterprise," said Barlow.

Should one of the apostles be elevated to second counselor, a vacancy would then have to be filled on the Quorum of the Twelve.

Any new appointment requires a sustaining vote by church membership.

The twice-yearly conference draws thousands to Salt Lake City, where those lucky enough to secure tickets gather inside the church's 21,000-seat conference center, while others mingle on the church's manicured downtown campus and temple grounds.

The proceedings are simultaneously transmitted to church centers and homes around the world via satellite, Internet and radio broadcasts in more than 80 languages.

The church claims nearly 13 million members in more than 100 countries and currently has 53,000 proselytizing missionaries scattered across the globe. Church statistical data show 272,845 converts were baptized in 2006.

On the Net: www.lds.org