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 Community of Christ

The First Presidency is the highest leadership or priesthood quorum of the Community of Christ church. Normally the First Presidency consists of the Prophet-President of the church and two counselors.

Related Topics:
Priesthood - Community of Christ - Prophet-President

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In 1860 with the reorganization of the First Presidency, Joseph Smith III became the second Prophet-President of this church and also President of a new First Presidency. William Marks became Smith's First Counselor.

Related Topics:
Joseph Smith III - William Marks

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The First Presidency of the Community of Christ differs from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where the church president is always the senior-most member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (of which there are usually 14 following the death of the Prophet). In the Community of Christ, by contrast, each new church president has generally been "designated" as the successor by the preceding church president. The Counselors in the First Presidency were then chosen by the church president and are also not former members of the Council of Twelve Apostles. In addition, the death of the Prophet-President does not dissolve the First Presidency, which continues on as the church's executive council in the persons of the remaining two presidents until a Prophet-President is called. The two members who were counselors to the prophet-president, cease to be counselors during this time. Upon ordination of the Prophet-President, the former first presidency is desolved, and upon ordination of the two he/she calls to be his/her councilors and presidents of the church it is reorganized.

Related Topics:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - Council of Twelve Apostles

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Prior to 1996, all prophet-presidents happened to be descendents of the movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr.. This pattern was broken by Wallace B. Smith, who designated W. Grant McMurray church president. McMurray, in turn, resigned the church presidency in 2004 without designating a successor. A Joint Council of church leaders led by the Council of Twelve Apostles announced in March 2005 the name of Stephen M. Veazey as Prophet-President designate. Veazey had been serving as president of the Council of Twelve. Delegates elected to a special World Conference of the church approved Veazey and he was ordained as the 8th president of the High Priesthood, Prophet, and President of the Church on June 3, 2005.

Related Topics:
Joseph Smith, Jr. - Wallace B. Smith - W. Grant McMurray - Joint Council - Stephen M. Veazey - World Conference - June 3 - 2005

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One June 4, 2005 with the ordinations of Ken Robinson and David Schaal as presidents of the church and counselors to the president, the First Presidency was reorganized.

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Current members of the First Presidency:

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• President Stephen M. Veazey
• President Kenneth N. Robinson (Counselor to the president)
• President David D. Schaal (Counselor to the president)