Tuesday was a historic day for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they learned of the new leadership in their church. Members from around the world tuned in for the announcement.
For those who aren’t members, this information can be confusing. With the help of information from the Church, News4Utah broke down the leadership roles within the LDS Church for you.
The First Presidency
The First Presidency is the highest governing body of the Church. Members of the First Presidency travel around the world to speak to members and local leaders; when not traveling, they counsel together and with other general Church leaders on matters affecting the worldwide Church, such as missionary work, temple building, and spiritual and temporal welfare.
The current First Presidency is:
- President Russell M. Nelson (President)
- President Dallin H. Oaks (First Counselor)
- President Henry B. Eyring (Second Counselor)
The Quorum of the Twelve
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church. Its members travel the world as special witnesses of the name of Christ and serve under the direction of the First Presidency.
The current Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is:
- President M. Russell Ballard
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- Elder David A. Bednar
- Elder Quentin L. Cook
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson
- Elder Neil L. Andersen
- Elder Ronald A. Rasband
- Elder Gary E. Stevenson
- Elder Dale G. Renlund
Presidency of the Seventy
The Presidency of the Seventy consists of seven General Authority Seventies who are called by the First Presidency and given authority to preside over the various Quorums of the Seventy.
The current Presidency of the Seventy is:
- Elder L. Whitney Clayton
- Elder Craig C. Christensen
- Elder Ulisses Soares
- Elder Lynn G. Robbins
- Elder Gerrit W. Gong
- Elder Juan A. Uceda
- Elder Patrick Kearon
General Authority Seventies
General Authority Seventies preach the gospel and serve as special witnesses of Christ to the world. They assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Presiding Bishopric
After this there is the Presiding Bishopric which consist of the Presiding Bishop and his two counselors. Each holds the office of bishop, and they serve under the direct supervision of the First Presidency.
Presidencies
The Relief Society, Young Men, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School organizations are all led by a President, First and Second Counselor. More about them here.
During Tuesday’s announcement many of these roles were shuffled. Following the death of a prophet, the First Presidency of the Church is dissolved and top LDS leaders are reorganized. Traditionally, the longest serving apostle becomes the new prophet.
Watch the announcement here
