President of the Church (LDS Church) facts for kids
The President of the Church is the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the LDS Church). This important role was first held by Joseph Smith, who started the church. The President of the Church leads the entire church and is also the head of the First Presidency, which is the church's main governing group.
Members of the church believe the president is a "prophet, seer, and revelator." This means they believe he receives guidance from God for the church. People often call him "the Prophet," a title first given to Joseph Smith. When talking about the president, members usually use the title "President" before his name. Russell M. Nelson has been the president since January 14, 2018.
Latter-day Saints believe the church's president is God's messenger to the world. They see him as having the highest priesthood authority on Earth. This means he is the only one who can receive special messages or revelations from God for the whole church or the whole world.
The President of the Church also leads important church councils and educational groups.
Contents
History of the Church President
How the Leader's Role Developed
When the Church of Christ (which later became the LDS Church) was formed on April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith called himself "an apostle of Jesus Christ." But there were other apostles and elders, so it wasn't clear who was the main leader.
In September 1830, a man named Hiram Page said he was receiving messages for the church. A message to Joseph Smith then made it clear that only Smith would receive commandments and revelations for the church. This established Smith's special role as the church's leader.
In June 1831, Joseph Smith and 22 other men were given a higher priesthood role called "high priest." This was a step up from being an elder. However, it was still not fully clear if Smith's role as an apostle gave him more authority than other high priests.
On November 11, 1831, a message to Smith said that one person from the high priesthood should be chosen to lead everyone. This person would be called the "President of the high priesthood of the Church." Joseph Smith was officially given this position on January 25, 1832.
Later, in 1835, the church's rules were updated. Joseph Smith was sometimes called the "First Elder" of the church. The rules also mentioned the "president of the high priesthood," which was the new top leadership role.
Who Leads After the President Dies?
In 1844, Joseph Smith was killed by a group of people while he was in jail. His brother, Hyrum Smith, who many thought would be the next leader, was also killed. Joseph Smith had not clearly said who should lead the church after him. This led to a time of confusion and disagreement about who should be the next church president. This period is known as the succession crisis.
At a big meeting in Nauvoo, Illinois, Sidney Rigdon, a senior leader, argued that no one could truly replace Joseph Smith. He thought he should be a "Protector" of the church. However, Brigham Young disagreed. Joseph Smith had previously said that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles had "equal authority and power" to the First Presidency. So, Young argued that the Twelve Apostles should now lead the church.
Most people at the meeting agreed that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles should lead. Brigham Young was then chosen to lead the Quorum of the Twelve. At this time, he was not yet called the President of the Church.
Changes Over Time
On December 27, 1847, three and a half years after Joseph Smith's death, Brigham Young was officially made the President of the Church. Over the years, the rules for who becomes the next president have been adjusted.
Originally, the oldest apostle in terms of when they were first made an apostle would become the leader. But this rule changed a few times. For example, in 1875, Brigham Young decided that seniority would be based on who had served continuously as an apostle for the longest time. This meant that if an apostle had left the group and rejoined, they would start over in terms of seniority.
When a church president died, the First Presidency group would usually break up. The members who were also apostles would rejoin the Quorum of the Twelve. Then, the most senior apostle would become the next president.
In 1900, it was decided that seniority would be based on when someone became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, not just when they were ordained as an apostle. This helped make the process clearer.
Today, if the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is called to be a counselor in the First Presidency, another senior apostle is chosen to be the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This ensures that the Quorum always has a leader.
The Current LDS Church President
Current President
After the 16th church president, Thomas S. Monson, passed away on January 2, 2018, Russell M. Nelson was chosen and set apart as the 17th president on January 14, 2018. His introduction as the new president was unique. It was broadcast from the Salt Lake Temple on January 16, 2018. Nelson then introduced his counselors and the new leaders of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This was followed by a press conference, which has been a tradition since Spencer W. Kimball became president in 1973.
How a New President is Chosen
In the LDS Church, when the president dies, the First Presidency group is dissolved. The members of the First Presidency who were also part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rejoin the Quorum. The Quorum of the Twelve then becomes the main leading group of the church. The most senior apostle in the Quorum (seniority is based on when they joined the Quorum, not age) becomes its president. This senior apostle has always become the next church president.
However, the new president is not official until the Quorum of the Twelve meets and formally chooses him.
For a long time, there was a waiting period of two to three years before a new president was chosen after the previous one died. But since the late 1800s, this has changed. Now, the surviving apostles usually meet very quickly, often on the Sunday after the funeral of the late president. They meet in the Salt Lake Temple to choose and set apart the next president.
At the next major church meeting, called general conference, church members have a chance to show their support for their new leader. This is done through a special meeting called a "solemn assembly."
Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is very important. The most senior apostle leads the Quorum and usually becomes the president of the church when the current president dies. Special rules have been made for unusual situations over time.
For example, if a member was removed from the Quorum and later rejoined, they would lose their previous seniority. This means they would be considered the newest member again.
In the past, there were discussions about whether seniority should be based on when someone was ordained as an apostle or when they became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. On April 5, 1900, it was decided that the date an individual became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve was the most important date for deciding who would be next in line to lead the church.
Sometimes, an apostle might take a break from active service, like Ezra Taft Benson did when he worked for the U.S. government. However, he did not lose his seniority in the Quorum and later became president of the church.
If the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is called to be a counselor in the First Presidency, the next most senior apostle who is not in the First Presidency is chosen to be the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This ensures that the Quorum always has a leader.
Understanding Church Doctrine and Opinion
When the church president speaks in his official role, his words are not considered "infallible," meaning they can't be wrong. Church members are taught not to follow blindly. They are encouraged to reject statements that go against what is written in the church scriptures.
Because Latter-day Saints believe in "continuing revelation," instructions or positions given by a church president can be changed by a future president. It is understood that a current president might update or clarify past teachings. Church apostle Ezra Taft Benson once advised, "beware of those who would pit the dead prophets against the living prophets, for the living prophets always take precedence." This means the current prophet's guidance is most important.
Not everything the prophet says is considered official church doctrine. Joseph Smith taught that "a prophet is a prophet only when he was acting as such." When the church president announces new doctrine, he will say it is a revelation from God. This new teaching must then be accepted by the Council of the Twelve and supported by the church members. If the church does not accept it as God's word, members are not required to follow it, even if it comes from the President of the Church.
Sometimes, the president might say something in a sermon at a general conference or other formal meeting. Even then, he might say he is only sharing a personal opinion. However, individual church members might still feel encouraged to follow suggestions from the president, whether they are official or not.
Presidents of the church have taught that God will never allow the president to lead the church members astray. They believe God will "remove" any leader who tries to mislead the members. This doesn't mean they are perfect, but that their mistakes will not cause lasting harm to the church's work. So, the current prophet can clarify, correct, or change any previous teachings.
Counselors to the President
First Presidency
First Counselor
Second Counselor
When a new president of the church is chosen, he selects counselors to help him. Most presidents have at least two counselors, but sometimes there have been more. For example, David O. McKay had five counselors near the end of his time as president. Brigham Young even had eight at one point.
Counselors are usually chosen from the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. However, there have been times when people from other church leadership roles or even from the general church membership were called to be counselors. Any high priest in the church can be called as a counselor in the First Presidency.
Some counselors have later been ordained as apostles and become members of the Quorum of the Twelve, like J. Reuben Clark. Others were ordained as apostles but not made members of the Quorum of the Twelve, such as Alvin R. Dyer. Some counselors, like Charles W. Nibley and John R. Winder, were never ordained as apostles. No matter their specific priesthood office, all counselors in the First Presidency are accepted by the church as prophets, seers, and revelators.
Counselors are given titles like "First Counselor in the First Presidency" and "Second Counselor in the First Presidency," based on the order they were chosen. The president and all his counselors together form the First Presidency. This group is the main leading quorum of the church. The next most senior apostle after the president is chosen to be the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Can a President Be Removed?
While there has never been a widespread effort by church members to remove a president, a president could, in theory, be removed or disciplined by the Common Council of the Church. The only church president who was brought before this Council was Joseph Smith. This happened in 1834, when he faced charges of misbehavior. The Council decided that Joseph Smith had acted honorably and properly with all the money and property he was in charge of.
See also
- Assistant President of the Church
- We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
