Presiding Patriarch (Mormonism)

In Mormonism, the Presiding Patriarch (also called Presiding Evangelist, Patriarch over the Church, Patriarch of the Church, or Patriarch to the Church) is a church-wide leadership office within the Latter Day Saint Priesthood. Among the duties of the Presiding Patriarch are to preside in council meetings, ordain other patriarchs, and administered Patriarchal Blessings.

Related Topics:
Mormonism - Latter Day Saint - Priesthood - Patriarchs - Patriarchal Blessings

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Originally, the office of Presiding Patriarch was one of the highest positions in the church. The role was equated with Biblical Patriarchs from Adam to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it was expected that the office would descend through lineal succession through Joseph Smith, Sr., the first patriarch, through his son Hyrum Smith, the second patriarch, and so forth. When the office was given to the senior Smith, he was given "keys of the patriarchal priesthood over the kingdom of God on earth, even the Church of the Latter Day Saints". Thus, some have argued that the Presiding Patriarch is an office of the Patriarchal Priesthood. However, the existence of the Patriachal Priesthood is controversial.

Related Topics:
Patriarchs - Adam - Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Lineal succession - Joseph Smith, Sr. - Hyrum Smith - Patriarchal Priesthood

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In the major denominations of the Latter Day Saint movement, the role of the Presiding Patriarch diminished substantially after the death of the office's second holder, Hyrum Smith. Today, the Community of Christ ordains a Presiding Evangelist who plays an important role in the church, but is not a descendant of Joseph Smith's family. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has effectively discontinued the office as of 1979.

Related Topics:
Latter Day Saint movement - Hyrum Smith - Community of Christ - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 1979

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