What is the leadership structure of the LDS Church?

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Ahead of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ‘ semi-annual General Conference, you might find yourself wondering, “Who represents the Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?” or “What is the leadership of the Church like?”

According to the LDS church’s Church Newsroom , the church is led by men called “apostles,” much like in the time of Jesus Christ. Fifteen apostles serve in the two highest offices, known as the “ First Presidency ” and the “ Quorum of the Twelve .”

The First Presidency

The First Presidency of the LDS church is made up of three individuals and is the highest governing body of the religion.

“The most senior apostle is the president of the Church, and he selects two other apostles as counselors,” the Church Newsroom says .

The LDS Church states the First Presidency was established by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint religion.

“The President of the Church is always the senior Apostle—the person who has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the longest time,” the Church says.

Each Church President chooses his counselors, described as assistants to the president.

“While all members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are sustained as ‘prophets, seers, and revelators,’ the term ‘the prophet’ refers to the President of the Church,” the Church says.

As of Sept. 18, 2024, the church’s First Presidency is made up of the following people. Each person is recognized with the title of “President.”

• President Russell M. Nelson , President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• President Dallin H. Oaks , First Counselor in the First Presidency.
• President Henry B. Eyring , Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The “Quorum of the Twelve” is the second highest governing structure in the LDS Church. This group traces its origin to the New Testament. It is made up of 12 people whom the First Presidency chooses through divine guidance or inspiration, according to the Church, which can come in many forms.

“[Members of the Quorum] leave behind their regular work lives and devote their life to full-time Church service,” the Church notes on its website .

Each member of the Quorum of the Twelve is addressed as “Elder.” The full list of the Quorum of the Twelve can be viewed on the church’s website .

Quorums of the Seventy / Area Seventies

“General Authority Seventies,” is another role referenced in the New Testament, according to the church. Members of the Seventy assist members of the Quorum of the Twelve in building the church worldwide. Along with General Authority Seventy members, there are also “Area Seventies,” who are leaders of a certain geographical area.

Regional and local leadership roles

Regionally, there are “ areas ,” made up of geographical regions (Northeast, Southwest, West, etc.). Utah is designated as a separate area, due to the large LDS population. Each area has a presidency, led by a General Authority Seventy member and his counselors, who are either fellow General Authority Seventy members or members of the Area’s Seventy.

Locally, there are stakes, led by a stake president. A stake president serves a similar function to the leader of a Catholic diocese, in that he oversees a group of church congregations within a geographic area. Bishops lead individual congregations known as wards , similar to a parish. In areas with fewer members, members are in branches . A branch president serves in the same capacity as a bishop.

Presidents will have their own set of counselors, similar to how the First Presidency operates. Bishops will have what’s called a bishopric . Identical to any presidency, he will have counselors.

Women in leadership

Women lead the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women, which are all different groups within the church. Women presidents over these groups will choose two counselors to help lead members of the LDS church throughout the world. These members serve as “General Officers” for the Church.

These same roles of president and counselor are also reprised in stakes (for Young Women’s Presidency), branches, and wards around the world.

After women in the religion reach the age of 12, they join the “ Young Women . ” The group was founded in 1869 and run by the daughters of Brigham Young, the Church states.

After turning 18, those young women join the “Relief Society,” which is the LDS Church’s organization for adult women.

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