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List of presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page lists all the presidents of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often called the LDS Church. Each person on this list has served as the President of the Church. Members of the church also consider their president to be a prophet, seer, and revelator, which means they believe he is a spiritual guide for the church.

What Does the President of the Church Do?

The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the highest leader for millions of members all over the world. He leads the church with the help of two counselors, and together they are called the First Presidency.

When a president passes away, the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next president. This group of leaders helps guide the church. This process ensures there is always a clear leader.

Presidents of the Church

Here is a list of the men who have served as president of the church since it was started in 1830.

No. Portrait President Born Became President Died Time as President
1
Joseph Smith, Jr. portrait owned by Joseph Smith III.jpg
 Joseph Smith December 23, 1805 April 6, 1830 June 27, 1844(1844-06-27) (aged 38) 14 years, 2 months
The church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with Brigham Young as its president. 3 years, 6 months
2
BrighamYoung1.jpg
 Brigham Young June 1, 1801 December 27, 1847 August 29, 1877(1877-08-29) (aged 76) 29 years, 8 months
The church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with John Taylor as its president. 3 years, 1 month
3
John Taylor seated in chair.jpg
 John Taylor November 1, 1808 October 10, 1880 July 25, 1887(1887-07-25) (aged 78) 6 years, 9 months
The church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, with Wilford Woodruff as its president. 1 year, 8 months
4
Wilford Woodruff 1889.jpg
 Wilford Woodruff March 1, 1807 April 7, 1889 September 2, 1898(1898-09-02) (aged 91) 9 years, 4 months
5
Lorenzosnow.jpg
 Lorenzo Snow April 3, 1814 September 13, 1898 October 10, 1901(1901-10-10) (aged 87) 3 years, 1 month
6
JFS First Presidency 1905 large.jpg
 Joseph F. Smith November 13, 1838 October 17, 1901 November 19, 1918(1918-11-19) (aged 80) 17 years, 1 month
7
Heber J Grant.jpg
 Heber J. Grant November 22, 1856 November 23, 1918 May 14, 1945(1945-05-14) (aged 88) 26 years, 5 months
8
George Albert Smith.jpg
 George Albert Smith April 4, 1870 May 21, 1945 April 4, 1951(1951-04-04) (aged 81) 5 years, 10 months
9
David O. McKay.jpg
 David O. McKay September 8, 1873 April 9, 1951 January 18, 1970(1970-01-18) (aged 96) 18 years, 9 months
10
Joseph Fielding Smith.jpg
 Joseph Fielding Smith July 19, 1876 January 23, 1970 July 2, 1972(1972-07-02) (aged 95) 2 years, 5 months
11
Harold B. Lee2.jpg
 Harold B. Lee March 28, 1899 July 7, 1972 December 26, 1973(1973-12-26) (aged 74) 1 year, 5 months
12
Spencer W. Kimball3.JPG
 Spencer W. Kimball March 28, 1895 December 30, 1973 November 5, 1985(1985-11-05) (aged 90) 11 years, 10 months
13
Ezra Taft Benson.jpg
 Ezra Taft Benson August 4, 1899 November 10, 1895 May 30, 1994(1994-05-30) (aged 94) 8 years, 6 months
14
Howard W. Hunter.JPG
 Howard W. Hunter November 14, 1907 June 5, 1994 March 3, 1995(1995-03-03) (aged 87) 9 months
15
Gordon B. Hinckley, 2007 (cropped3x4).png
 Gordon B. Hinckley June 23, 1910 March 12, 1995 January 27, 2008(2008-01-27) (aged 97) 12 years, 10 months
16
Thomassmonson (crop3x4).jpg
 Thomas S. Monson August 21, 1927 February 3, 2008 January 2, 2018(2018-01-02) (aged 90) 9 years, 11 months
17
Russell M Nelson (cropped2).jpg
 Russell M. Nelson September 9, 1924 January 14, 2018 September 27, 2025(2025-09-27) (aged 101) 7 years, 8 months
After President Nelson's passing, the church was led by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Current

Timeline of Leadership

This timeline shows how long each president lived and how long they led the church.

Images for kids

  • Joseph Smith, Jr. portrait owned by Joseph Smith III

    Joseph Smith, the first President of the Church.

  • BrighamYoung1

    Brigham Young, the second President of the Church.

  • John Taylor seated in chair

    John Taylor, the third President of the Church.

  • Wilford Woodruff 1889

    Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of the Church.

  • Lorenzosnow

    Lorenzo Snow, the fifth President of the Church.

  • JFS First Presidency 1905 large

    Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church.

  • Heber J Grant

    Heber J. Grant, the seventh President of the Church.

  • George Albert Smith

    George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church.

  • David O. McKay

    David O. McKay, the ninth President of the Church.

  • Joseph Fielding Smith

    Joseph Fielding Smith, the tenth President of the Church.

  • Harold B. Lee2

    Harold B. Lee, the eleventh President of the Church.

  • Spencer W. Kimball3

    Spencer W. Kimball, the twelfth President of the Church.

  • Ezra Taft Benson

    Ezra Taft Benson, the thirteenth President of the Church.

  • Howard W. Hunter

    Howard W. Hunter, the fourteenth President of the Church.

  • Gordon B. Hinckley, 2007 (cropped3x4)

    Gordon B. Hinckley, the fifteenth President of the Church.

  • Thomassmonson (crop3x4)

    Thomas S. Monson, the sixteenth President of the Church.

  • Russell M Nelson (cropped2)

    Russell M. Nelson, the seventeenth President of the Church.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días para niños

  • Chronology of the First Presidency (LDS Church)
  • Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)
  • List of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church)
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