President of the Church (Mormonism)

In Mormonism, the President of the Church is the head of a Latter Day Saint denomination or church. Several other titles are associated with this office, including First Elder of the church, Presiding High Priest, President of the High Priesthood, Trustee-in-Trust for the church, Prophet, Seer and Revelator (in a few cases Prophet, Seer and Translator, Prophet, Priest and King or King Priest and Ruler over Israel on Earth). The movement's founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., the first president of the church, was known by all of these titles in his lifetime.

Joseph Smith as the President of the Church

The concept that the Church of Christ would have a president over the entire church arose in late 1831. Initially, after the church's formation on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith referred to himself as merely "an apostle of Jesus Christ, and elder of the church." (Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ, June 9, 1830). However, there were several other apostles and elders, including Oliver Cowdery, all of whom were formally co-equal.

Related Topics:
Church of Christ - 1831 - April 6 - 1830 - Oliver Cowdery

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In September 1830, after Hiram Page, a rival of Joseph Smith, attempted to receive revelations for the church, a revelation by Joseph Smith stated that "no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses." (LDS D&C 28). Thus, although Smith had no formal leadership position in the church at that time, he took the position as the only Elder with the gift of revelation for the entire church.

Related Topics:
September - 1830

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On June 3, 1831, Joseph Smith was ordained, along with Sidney Rigdon and Hyrum Smith, and later Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Frederick G. Williams, to the "high priesthood". As a "High Priest", these men held a higher position than that of Elder. However, Smith's position was formally the same as the other five members of the high priesthood.

Related Topics:
June 3 - 1831 - Sidney Rigdon - Hyrum Smith - Oliver Cowdery - David Whitmer - Frederick G. Williams - High Priest - Elder

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On November 11, 1831, however, a revelation by Joseph Smith stated that "it must needs be that one be appointed of the high priesthood to preside over the Priesthood and he shall be called President of the high priesthood of the Church...and again the duty of the President of the high priesthood is to preside over the whole church." (Kirtland Revelation Book, p. 84,68, LDS D&C 107: 64-65, 91-92.) Smith was ordained to this position on January 25, 1832.

Related Topics:
November 11 - 1831 - January 25 - 1832

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In 1835, Smith revised the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ, changing the phrase "an...elder of the church" to "the first elder of this Church." (LDS D&C 20:2) Thus, Smith was subsequently to 1835 sometimes referred to as the First Elder. The 1835 revision also added a verse referring to the office of "president of the high priesthood (or presiding elder)" (LDS D&C 20:67), which had been added to the church hierarchy in 1831.

Related Topics:
1835 - 1831

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