First PresidencyEdit
The First Presidency is the highest governing body in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, overseeing core doctrinal instruction, temple practices, and the global program of discipleship. It is traditionally composed of the President of the Church and his two counselors, all ordained to the priesthood and recognized by church members as the primary source of revelation for official church policy. In practice, the First Presidency works alongside the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to guide a worldwide faith community, sustain doctrinal continuity, and organize charitable, educational, and missionary efforts. The office sits at the apex of a hierarchical structure that emphasizes continuity, stability, and a particular understanding of religious liberty—one that seeks to preserve the integrity of long-standing teachings while adapting to changing circumstances through spiritual discernment.
Within the church's governance, the First Presidency holds authority derived from priesthood office and the belief in ongoing revelation to living prophets. The President of the Church is considered a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and his counselors assist in implementing that guidance across congregations, universities, humanitarian programs, and temple work. Decisions issued by the First Presidency are widely regarded as binding on church members and institutions, though they are framed within a broader system of checks and balances that includes the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the General Authorities. The presidency thus functions as both a spiritual leadership council and an executive body charged with coordinating doctrine, worship, and service.
Structure and governance
Composition and selection
- The First Presidency consists of the President of the Church and his two counselors. The President appoints counselors and can release or replace them as needed. This triad, together with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, forms the top tier of church leadership.
- For readers of the broader tradition, see President of the Church and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the other components of the church’s leadership structure.
Authorities and duties
- The First Presidency articulates doctrinal positions, approves major policy directions, and oversees the church’s global programs, including missionary work, welfare and humanitarian aid, education, and temple activities.
- The Presidency’s public statements and policies are viewed by adherents as expressions of divine guidance received through living revelation, a central claim of the church’s doctrine of ongoing revelation to its leaders.
Relationship with other offices
- The First Presidency remains accountable to the broader hierarchy, particularly the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and works in concert with general church institutions to implement vision and stewardship across diverse cultures and nations.
- The interaction between the Presidency and the Twelve Apostles is seen as essential to maintaining doctrinal unity while addressing the practical needs of a growing worldwide church.
Succession and continuity
- When the President dies, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles assumes leadership of the church and forms a new First Presidency, typically with the most senior apostle and other trusted colleagues as counselors. This process preserves continuity of doctrine while enabling the church to respond to new circumstances through fresh revelation and guidance.
History and notable moments
Founding era and early governance
- The First Presidency has its origins in the early 1830s, when Joseph Smith was sustained as Prophet and guided the church with counselors who formed the original presidency. This structure established the pattern of centralized leadership viewed by members as spiritually authoritative.
Growth, reforms, and the shift of leadership
- Over the 19th and 20th centuries, the First Presidency guided the church through expansion, discipline, and adaptation to new political and social environments. The presidency’s role in moments of doctrinal clarification and organizational reform helped shape the church’s approach to education, welfare, and missionary outreach.
Major doctrinal and policy decisions
- The leadership has played a central role in significant policy shifts, including revocations of earlier practices that were once central to the church’s social life. These decisions are typically framed as expressions of revealed truth and guided stewardship.
Late 20th and 21st centuries
- In recent decades, the First Presidency has addressed questions surrounding eligibility for priesthood, gender roles within temple and family settings, and the church’s stance on social issues such as marriage and sexuality. The presidency has also overseen responses to secular changes in American and global society, emphasizing the protection of religious liberty and the preservation of traditional family structures.
Controversies and debates
Centralization versus accountability
- Critics argue that a highly centralized leadership can curb local innovation or dissent. Proponents suggest that centralized authority is necessary for doctrinal unity across a global church, ensuring consistent worship, discipline, and mission strategies in culturally diverse settings. In a faith oriented toward enduring principles, many adherents view unity under a single presidency as a strength rather than a flaw.
Doctrinal continuity and social change
- Debates have arisen over how quickly the church adapts to social norms on issues such as marriage, gender roles, and LGBTQ+ topics. From a traditionalist perspective, the church’s approach is to preserve foundational beliefs while extending pastoral care to affected individuals. Critics claim this stance suppresses certain rights or insights in a changing world; supporters counter that the church’s mission requires fidelity to long-standing teachings, balanced with compassion and respect for individuals.
Public policy and religious liberty
- The First Presidency’s positions on religious liberty reflect a broader concern about protecting the right of faith communities to uphold conscience and practice within society. Critics sometimes view this as opposition to secular progress, while supporters emphasize the importance of safeguarding conscience and the integrity of religious communities in a pluralist world.
Historical policies and reforms
- Historical episodes, such as the church’s past practices connected to plural marriage and later reforms, are frequently cited in contemporary debates. The leadership’s role in ending polygamy and in subsequent policy developments is often framed by supporters as necessary corrections guided by evolving understanding and revelation. Dissenters may view these shifts as indicative of a broader tension between tradition and reform; supporters argue they demonstrate a faith-driven process of discernment that respects both doctrine and lived experience.
Controversies over pastoral and pastoral care decisions
- In recent years, the church’s handling of LGBTQ+ issues and related pastoral policies generated intense discussion. Proponents contend that doctrinal commitments to marriage and family are non-negotiable, while opponents argue for more inclusive pastoral approaches. The church has, at times, signaled flexibility—such as reversals or revisions to specific policies—while maintaining core doctrinal boundaries; advocates see this as prudent governance that prioritizes spiritual welfare and orderly administration, while critics may describe it as inconsistent messaging or insufficient progress on human rights.