The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows the same pattern as the church that Jesus Christ established during His mortal ministry, restored in modern times. He remains the head of the Church and directs His chosen servants as they lead.
The leaders of the worldwide Church are known as General Authorities and General Officers. General Authorities include the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric. General Officers include the General Presidencies of the Relief Society, Primary, Sunday School, Young Women, and Young Men organizations.
The First Presidency is the highest governing body of the Church. Along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, members of the First Presidency are special witnesses of Jesus Christ. They seek the Lord’s guidance as they oversee the affairs of the Church.
General Authorities, General Officers, and other Church leaders likewise seek divine guidance as they love and serve specific groups of Church members throughout the world.
Jesus Christ leads His Church through a prophet, who acts as the President of the Church, and two Apostles who are called to be the prophet’s counselors. This group is known as the First Presidency, and it is the highest governing body of the Church.
Members of the First Presidency are Apostles of Jesus Christ. Along with the other Apostles, they are special witnesses of Jesus Christ, called to teach and testify of Him throughout the world. They travel frequently, addressing and encouraging large congregations of Church members and others, as well as meeting with Church leaders. They seek direction from Jesus Christ as they oversee matters that affect the millions of Church members all over the world. These matters include missionary work, humanitarian aid, temple service, gospel instruction, and much more.
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. When a Church President dies, the next senior Apostle becomes the President of the Church and chooses counselors to serve with him in the First Presidency. 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.
Through the inspired messages of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the Lord gives instruction to His Church, including guidance that helps members with the challenges they experience in life.
The First Presidency was originally organized by Joseph Smith, the Church’s first prophet.
Biography
Dallin H. Oaks
President Dallin H. Oaks was sustained and set apart as the 18th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Biography
Henry B. Eyring
President Henry B. Eyring was sustained and set apart as First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Biography
D. Todd Christofferson
President D. Todd Christofferson was sustained and set apart as Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
