First Presidency

In Mormonism, the First Presidency (or the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church) is one of the governing bodies in the church hierarchy of several Latter Day Saint denominations. A First Presidency was organized by Joseph Smith, Jr., who was its presiding member until his death in 1844. Some time later, First Presidencies were organized by Brigham Young and Joseph Smith III.

The First Presidency in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the First Presidency is the presiding or governing authority of the church. It usually consists of the President of the Church and two counselors, although up to six counselors have on occasion been included in the presidency.

Related Topics:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - President of the Church

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The counselors are customarily chosen from among the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and work closely with the Church President in guiding the entire church. In the case of an infirm president they may be called upon to perform his duties in his absence, and if needed additional counselors, who are not numbered, are called to assist them. Like the Church President and President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, counselors in the First Presidency are known as "President" (thus the current First Presidency are referred to as President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Thomas S. Monson, and President James E. Faust).

Related Topics:
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - Gordon B. Hinckley - Thomas S. Monson - James E. Faust

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Counselors serve until either their own deaths, the death of the Church President who called them, or until they are released. The death of a Church President dissolves the First Presidency, and leaves the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as the senior leader of the church. See President of the Church (Mormonism) for information on succession in the church.

Related Topics:
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - President of the Church (Mormonism)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Customarily the counselors of the late president are retained, but a notably infirm counselor may revert to his place among the Twelve Apostles with a healthier man called as counselor in his place. On the death or release of a First Counselor, the Second Counselor usually succeeds and a new Second Counselor is named.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The present membership of the First Presidency is as follows:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• President Gordon B. Hinckley
• President Thomas S. Monson ? First Counselor
• President James E. Faust ? Second Counselor