First Presidency

First Presidency
Name	First Presidency
Type	Ecclesiastical governing council
Founded	1832
Founder	Joseph Smith
Headquarters	Salt Lake City, Utah
Parent	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Members	Presidency usually of three (President and two Counselors)

First Presidency is the highest executive council in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a central leadership institution in Latter Day Saint movement history. It functions as the senior presidential quorum for doctrinal direction, administrative policy, and global ecclesiastical oversight, operating alongside other leading bodies such as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Bishopric. Its office has played a decisive role in events involving figures like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, Heber J. Grant, David O. McKay, and Gordon B. Hinckley.

Origin and Historical Development

The organization of the presidency traces to early revelations received by Joseph Smith in the 1830s during formative episodes in Kirtland, Ohio, Nauvoo, Illinois, and the later migration to Great Salt Lake. It emerged in the milieu of 19th-century American religious movements alongside contemporaries such as United States revivalism and the rise of new denominations after the Second Great Awakening. The presidency evolved through schisms after Joseph Smith’s death in 1844, when leaders including Brigham Young and Sidney Rigdon disputed succession, triggering legal, political, and territorial consequences tied to migrations to Utah Territory and interactions with the United States Congress. Over successive administrations, policies under presidents like John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Heber J. Grant responded to issues including Manifest Destiny, federal anti-polygamy legislation like the Edmunds-Tucker Act, and relations with institutions such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the 20th century. Modernization under presidents including Spencer W. Kimball, Thomas S. Monson, and Russell M. Nelson has intersected with internationalization, media engagement, and legal frameworks in countries such as Brazil, Philippines, and United Kingdom.

Structure and Membership

The presidency traditionally comprises a church president and two counselors drawn from senior leaders such as members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or other general authorities. Historically, the size and composition have varied: at times presidents appointed additional counselors, and during vacancies counselors served in acting capacities. Membership examples include counselors like Brigham Young Jr., Heber J. Grant (as counselor pre-presidency), J. Reuben Clark, Gordon B. Hinckley (prior to his presidency), and Henry B. Eyring. The presidency interfaces with administrative offices including the Presiding Bishopric, the Relief Society, and educational institutions such as Brigham Young University, Ensign College, and the Church Educational System. Properties under its purview have included historic sites like Temple Square and temples such as Salt Lake Temple, Kirtland Temple, and temples in global cities including Rome and Hong Kong.

Roles and Responsibilities

The presidency issues doctrinal statements, directs missionary work overseen by the Missionary Department, authorizes temple policies for Temple ordinances, and sets priorities for humanitarian efforts coordinated with agencies like Latter-day Saint Charities. It presides over general conferences and delivers sermons that shape teachings referenced in collections alongside works by leaders such as Bruce R. McConkie and N. Eldon Tanner. Administrative duties include stewardship of ecclesiastical assignments, budgetary oversight linked to institutions like Deseret Management Corporation and coordination with educational arms such as Brigham Young University–Idaho. The presidency also represents the church in interactions with international entities including governments of Mexico, Canada, and Chile and with interfaith organizations like the World Council of Churches and humanitarian coalitions.

Selection, Succession, and Tenure

Succession historically follows seniority principles within the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles though exceptional appointments and doctrinal interpretations have led to variations. After the death of a president, the surviving counselors may continue temporarily while the Twelve convene to confirm a new president, as occurred following deaths of presidents including Heber J. Grant and Spencer W. Kimball. Tenure is typically until death or resignation; notable exceptions include voluntary resignations and reorganizations during periods such as the post-Joseph Smith succession crisis. Selection processes involve councils of general authorities, administrative ratification at General Conference, and formal sustaining votes by church membership. Legal and constitutional questions about corporate leadership in entities like the Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have paralleled ecclesiastical succession issues.

Relationship with Other Church Bodies

The presidency operates in concert with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which holds apostolic authority and succession prerogatives, and the Presiding Bishopric, responsible for temporal affairs. It issues policy that affects auxiliary organizations including the Relief Society, Young Men, Young Women, and the Sunday School. Collaborative governance extends to the Area Presidencies and Stake Presidents, integrating global administrative units across continents such as Africa, Asia, and Europe. Interactions with academic and legal entities like Brigham Young University and the Utah State Legislature have shaped public policy stances and institutional relationships.

Notable First Presidencies and Historical Impact

Several presidencies have had outsized historical effects: Joseph Smith’s presidency established foundational canon and practices; Brigham Young’s presidency oversaw westward migration, settlement of the Great Basin, and establishment of institutions; Wilford Woodruff’s administration issued the 1890 Manifesto affecting polygamy; David O. McKay and Gordon B. Hinckley guided global expansion and media presence; and recent presidents such as Thomas S. Monson and Russell M. Nelson presided during major temple-building initiatives and revisions to administrative policies. These presidencies influenced legal outcomes involving the Supreme Court of the United States, federal legislation, international missionary demographics, and social-policy engagement in nations from Australia to Brazil.

Category:Organizational bodies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints