List of presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints facts for kids
This article lists the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each of these men has served as the President of the Church. Members of the church believe the president is a prophet, seer, and revelator, which means he is a special spiritual leader who receives guidance for the church.
When a president passes away, there is a short time before a new one is named. During this period, a group of leaders called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles leads the church. The next president is then chosen from this group, usually the apostle who has served the longest.
Presidents of the Church
No. | Portrait | President | Born | Died | Time as President |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
Joseph Smith | December 23, 1805 | June 27, 1844 | 14 years |
2 | ![]() |
Brigham Young | June 1, 1801 | August 29, 1877 | 29 years |
3 | ![]() |
John Taylor | November 1, 1808 | July 25, 1887 | 6 years |
4 | ![]() |
Wilford Woodruff | March 1, 1807 | September 2, 1898 | 9 years |
5 | ![]() |
Lorenzo Snow | April 3, 1814 | October 10, 1901 | 3 years |
6 | ![]() |
Joseph F. Smith | November 13, 1838 | November 19, 1918 | 17 years |
7 | ![]() |
Heber J. Grant | November 22, 1856 | May 14, 1945 | 26 years |
8 | ![]() |
George Albert Smith | April 4, 1870 | April 4, 1951 | 5 years |
9 | ![]() |
David O. McKay | September 8, 1873 | January 18, 1970 | 18 years |
10 | ![]() |
Joseph Fielding Smith | July 19, 1876 | July 2, 1972 | 2 years |
11 | ![]() |
Harold B. Lee | March 28, 1899 | December 26, 1973 | 1 year |
12 | Spencer W. Kimball | March 28, 1895 | November 5, 1985 | 11 years | |
13 | ![]() |
Ezra Taft Benson | August 4, 1899 | May 30, 1994 | 8 years |
14 | Howard W. Hunter | November 14, 1907 | March 3, 1995 | 9 months | |
15 | ![]() |
Gordon B. Hinckley | June 23, 1910 | January 27, 2008 | 12 years |
16 | ![]() |
Thomas S. Monson | August 21, 1927 | January 2, 2018 | 9 years |
17 | ![]() |
Russell M. Nelson | September 9, 1924 | September 27, 2025 | 7 years |
18 | ![]() |
Dallin H. Oaks | August 12, 1932 | Living | Current President |
Timeline
This timeline shows how long each person lived and the years they served as president.

See also
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)