First Presidency of the LDS Church
The First Presidency, also known as the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church, serves as the presiding governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This high-ranking priesthood quorum is responsible for the overarching leadership and spiritual guidance of the global church membership.
Currently, the First Presidency consists of the president of the Church, Dallin H. Oaks, and his two counselors, Henry B. Eyring and D. Todd Christofferson.
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Key Facts
- Composition: Typically consists of the Church President and two counselors.
- Authority: Holds the highest ranking priesthood authority in the church.
- Status: All members are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators.
- Dissolution: The First Presidency is dissolved upon the death of the Church President.
- Financial Oversight: All members serve on the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes.
Membership and Qualifications
While church scripture generally mandates a structure of one president and two counselors, the size of the presidency has varied based on necessity. For instance, Brigham Young once had eight counselors, and David O. McKay had five during his final years.
Eligibility for Counselors
To serve as a counselor, an individual must be a high priest (a senior rank in the LDS priesthood). While counselors are usually selected from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, they can be called from the Presiding Bishopric or the general church membership. Not all counselors are ordained as apostles; for example, Charles W. Nibley and John R. Winder served without that specific office.
Titles and Designations
Counselors are formally titled as the "First Counselor in the First Presidency" and "Second Counselor in the First Presidency." In some historical cases, additional roles were created, such as "Third Counselor" or "Assistant Counselor to the President." All members of the First Presidency, along with the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, hold the honorific title of "President."
Duties and Governance
The First Presidency possesses the theoretical authority to make final decisions on nearly all matters affecting church operations. However, in practice, much of this decision-making is delegated to other bodies, including the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy, the Presiding Bishopric, and local leaders.
Despite this delegation, the First Presidency retains the power to overrule decisions made by lesser quorums. In instances where a president is infirm, counselors may assume more of the daily duties, although the president remains the only individual authorized to use all priesthood keys (the authority to direct priesthood work).
Administrative Support
The First Presidency is supported by a paid secretary who handles administrative tasks and often signs correspondence to private individuals. This role is an employment position rather than a general authority calling, though some incumbents, such as Brook P. Hales, have later been called as general authorities.
Tenure and Transitions
Counselors serve until their death, the death of the president who called them, or until they are released. When a church president dies, the First Presidency is dissolved, and the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the senior leader of the church.
Upon the reorganization of a new First Presidency, the new president may retain surviving counselors from the previous administration, though this is a non-binding practice. If a first counselor is released or passes away, the second counselor typically succeeds to the first position.
| Role | Requirement | Key Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Church President | High Priest / Apostle | Sole holder of all priesthood keys; presiding leader. |
| Counselors | High Priest | Assist the President in guiding the church. |
| Secretary | Paid Employee | Administrative support and correspondence. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a counselor have to be an apostle?
No. While most counselors are chosen from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, any high priest is eligible. Several men, including Sidney Rigdon and Thorpe B. Isaacson, served as counselors without being ordained as apostles.
What happens when the Church President dies?
The death of the president dissolves the First Presidency. The president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then becomes the senior leader of the church until a new First Presidency is organized.
Can a member of the First Presidency be removed?
Yes, a member can be removed by the current president at any time or through discipline by the Common Council of the Church, although such removals are rare.
Who manages the church's tithing funds?
All members of the First Presidency serve on the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes, which determines how these funds are spent.
What is the difference between the President and his counselors regarding authority?
While all are sustained as prophets, seers, and revelators, only the president of the church is authorized to use all priesthood keys.