*Be advised: As the title suggests, this blog will detail how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is organized. The primary purpose of this post is to elaborate on some unique terminology and "order of operations", if you will, within the church. However, I still want to place a heavy emphasis on the doctrine of the church, such as faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion, and revelation, as having the greatest worth to the human soul, and therefore urge you to place focus on learning about those things rather than getting too caught up in the nomenclature of organizations found in this blog. I also encourage you to not get too caught up on terminology but instead try to understand the importance of what each organization does.
*I'd remind you that when we say someone is "called", it means that someone is assigned to a responsibility. Likewise, a "calling" is another name for ecclesiastical responsibility.
**It is also worth noting that terminology changes from time to time as revelation continues to be received, as needs change, and as times change. It is also worth remembering that some organizations within the church may be created, discontinued, or have name changes for the same reasons. The information below is current as of September 2021.
*** I'd strongly encourage you to visit "Global Leadership of the Church" for further insight, which I cited heavily in this post. Furthermore, I HIGHLY encourage you to check out my other posts in the blog, some of which are hyperlinked in pink.
Heavenly Father is a God of order. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which is the same church that Christ organized in His mortal ministry is also a church of order, just as it was in ancient days. At the head of the church, whose church it is, is Jesus Christ who is our advocate with Heavenly Father. As in days of old, a prophet is called to receive revelation for the world at large and is the only person on Earth authorized to exercise all the keys of the priesthood to direct the Kingdom of God on the Earth (See "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism", "Priesthood", and "Prophets and Callings").
ORDINATION
Ordination is a word often used in reference to service in the church which means, "To appoint or confer authority or office". To use authority in the Lord’s Church, a person must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority (A of F 1:5). Although a person may receive authority by ordination, he uses it under the direction of those who hold the particular keys for that authority.
PRIESTHOOD KEYS
The Priesthood is the authority given to man to act for God. Every man ordained to any degree of the Priesthood has this authority delegated to him. But it is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order.
Keys are the rights of presidency, or the power given to man by God to direct, control, and govern God’s priesthood on earth. When we speak of "presidency", we mean to say that they preside over, or watch over the labors of the church. That is why we sometimes refer to the prophet and other leaders of the church as "President". Priesthood holders called to positions of presidency receive keys from those in authority over them. Priesthood holders use the priesthood only within the limits outlined by those who hold the keys. The President of the Church is the only person on earth who holds and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys (D&C 107:65–67, 91–92; 132:7).
These priesthood keys were taken from the Earth during the Great Apostasy and restored by angelic messengers of God to the first prophet of our dispensation, Joseph Smith (See "The Return of the King -- Part 2" and "Part 4.2"). That is why the keys of the priesthood are only found within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and therefore why the church claims to be the only church directly governed by Jesus Christ whose authority it is.
The prophet, or, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor. Other leaders within the church who have keys of presidency include Temple Presidents, Mission Presidents, Stake Presidents, Presidents quorums, and Bishops. Each holds the keys of the labors performed in that particular body or locality. I will discuss more below.
ORGANIZATIONS & PRESIDENCIES
Within the church, there are various groups, otherwise called "organizations", that serve together to carry out certain functions, from a global level down to a local level. Leaders who serve at a global level are typically referred to as "General" leaders". As with every ecclesiastical position within the church, these "callings" are prayerfully assigned by inspiration from to Holy Ghost to the person who presides over that organization, for General leaders, this usually means by the "First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles", not by way of application or election. Heading these organizations is a "President" and (usually 2) counselors which constitute a "Presidency". As such, at a global level, each organization is headed by a "General President" and two counselors who constitute the "General Presidency" of that organization.
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, the Presidency of the Seventy, 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.
QUORUMS
"Quorums" refer to groups of men who are given priesthood authority and responsibility to do God's work. Quorum members serve others, fulfill priesthood duties, build unity, and learn and live doctrine. Quorums are organized for both the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods. (See "Priesthood")
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
At a church-wide level, the prophet and two Apostles who serve as his counselors constitute "The First Presidency" and are the highest governing body of the church. Working closely with the three of them is the "Quorum of the Twelve Apostles" who act under the priesthood keys and direction of the First Presidency. All other general organizations of the church act under the keys and authority of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve 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.
QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES
Apostle was the title Jesus gave to the Twelve whom He chose and ordained to be His closest followers and supporters (Luke 6:13). Apostles are chosen to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus Christ called and sent His Apostles forth to represent Him, today’s Apostles are given the role to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world (D&C 107:23). The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest leadership body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the First Presidency being the highest).
Jesus Christ calls Apostles to represent Him in our day just as He did in the Bible. They leave behind their regular work lives and devote their life to full-time Church service. They oversee the growth of the global Church, and they travel the world to share God’s love with His children and invite all to come unto Christ, learn, and follow Him.
As mentioned before, a quorum is a group of individuals who are given priesthood authority and responsibility to do God’s work. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles includes twelve everyday men with the same divine responsibility as Peter, James, John, and the other early Apostles.
PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY
The Presidency of the Seventy is a group of seven General Authority Seventies who lead the Quorums of the Seventy (See below). They are called by the First Presidency, and they work under direction from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Unlike other presidencies in the Church, the Presidency of the Seventy is not made up of a president and two counselors. Instead, it consists of seven presidents, with the most experienced member of the presidency acting as the presiding member.
The Presidency of the Seventy oversees the work of the Quorums of the Seventy, which assist the Quorum of the Twelve in their work in various regions of the world. This work includes traveling to teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ; administering missionary, temple, family history, humanitarian, and other efforts; meeting with Church members and missionaries, organizing Church units, and training local Church leaders; and many other responsibilities.
The organization of the Presidency of the Seventy was outlined in a book of scripture known as the Doctrine and Covenants: “And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy; and the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six” (D&C 107:93-94).
QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY
General Authority Seventies—sometimes known simply as Seventies—are Church leaders who assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Like the Quorum of the Twelve, they travel widely to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also support and train Church leaders and assist in directing missionary work, humanitarian aid, temple building, family history, and other Church efforts.
General Authority Seventies are called to serve as special witnesses of Jesus Christ. They serve in their callings full time and often retire from their careers to serve. However, unlike members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who serve for life, Seventies are granted emeritus status and released from full-time service when they reach age 70. Some Seventies serve in the Presidency of the Seventy; others serve in Area Presidencies (See further below). Many Seventies live near Church headquarters and assist in directing important Church efforts from there.
In a revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord taught, “It is the duty of the [Twelve Apostles] to call upon the Seventy, when they need assistance, to fill the several calls for preaching and administering the gospel.”
The Church’s first Seventies were called shortly after the organization of the Church to “bear record of [Christ’s] name in all the world, wherever … [the] apostles, shall send them.” The First Quorum of the Seventy was organized in its current form in 1975, when the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles needed more General Authorities to assist them in meeting the needs of a worldwide church.
In the years following the organization of the First Quorum of the Seventy, more quorums of the Seventy were added as the Church grew. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that more Quorums of the Seventy may be added.
PRESIDING BISHOPRIC
The Presiding Bishopric is a council of three men who work under the direction of the First Presidency. They manage such matters as humanitarian aid, welfare programs, tithing and fast offerings, physical facilities, and the organization of membership records, among others. They also travel frequently to minister to Church members around the world.
In addition, the Presiding Bishopric presides over the Aaronic Priesthood in the Church. Because most Aaronic Priesthood holders are young men (ages 12 to 17), members of the Presiding Bishopric work with the Young Men General Presidency to support the young men of the Church in their priesthood duties.
The First Presidency calls the Presiding Bishop and chooses two men to serve as counselors. All three members of the Presiding Bishopric hold the title of bishop. For many years, members of the Presiding Bishopric served for life; today, Presiding Bishoprics serve for shorter terms.
The first bishop of the Church was called in 1831, one year after the Church’s organization. The bishop’s primary responsibilities included managing the Church’s finances and property, caring for the poor, and storing surplus goods for times of need. The Presiding Bishopric now performs similar duties for the Church as a whole.
In addition, local bishops, Ward Bishops, care for the poor and needy and preside over the Aaronic Priesthood in their congregations. (See "Bishops and Shepherds" and "Set Apart and Setting Out")
RELIEF SOCIETY GENERAL PRESIDENCY
The Relief Society General Presidency is called to lead the Relief Society, the Church’s organization for women, which has millions of members worldwide. The presidency is composed of a president, who is called by the President of the Church, and two counselors. These three women travel around the world to visit, teach, and minister to the women of the Church. They also counsel with other general Church leaders to strengthen the women of the Church and their families.
The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized by Joseph Smith, the Church’s first President, in 1842. He called it “a select Society separate from all the evils of the world, choice, virtuous, and holy”. He also taught that the purpose of the Relief Society was “not only to relieve the poor, but to save souls”.
Today the Relief Society builds on those ideals and helps women as they strive to become true disciples of Jesus Christ. Relief Society helps women prepare for the blessings of eternal life. It provides opportunities for women to grow as disciples through Sunday gospel instruction, weekday Relief Society meetings, ministering efforts, and opportunities to serve and help others.
On the congregational level, Relief Society is directed by local Relief Society presidencies. These presidencies care for Relief Society members and support gospel learning and teaching in their congregation. The Relief Society General Presidency provides counsel, inspiration, and instruction to local Relief Society presidencies, who care for Relief Society members and support gospel learning and teaching in their congregation.
PRIMARY GENERAL PRESIDENCY
The Primary is an organization for children ages 18 months to 11 years. It teaches them the gospel of Jesus Christ and helps them build faith. The Primary General Presidency, which directs the Primary for the whole Church, consists of a president and two counselors. These three women work to strengthen children and families throughout the Church. Members of the Primary General Presidency travel frequently to meet with and teach Primary leaders and children throughout the world. They counsel with other general and local Church leaders to teach, serve, and watch over the children and families of the Church.
General and local Primary leaders help parents teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare children for baptism. Primary also helps prepare children for service in the temple, which they can provide on a limited basis beginning at age 12. Primary helps children grow in their faith and develop their talents through participation in the Church’s Children and Youth program.
Children in Primary receive gospel instruction in Sunday meetings and learn valuable skills in weekday activities. The Primary General Presidency provides counsel, inspiration, and instruction to local Primary presidencies, who direct Primary instruction and activities for children in their congregation.
SUNDAY SCHOOL GENERAL PRESIDENCY
The Sunday School General Presidency is responsible for religious instruction in the Church. The presidency consists of a president and two counselors who travel frequently to minister to Church members around the world, helping them improve religious teaching in the home and in Church meetings. They also work to strengthen members’ commitment to personal and family scripture study and help them increase their faith in Jesus Christ.
Church members begin participating in Sunday School in January of the year they turn 12. (Younger children receive religious instruction as part of the Primary.) The purposes of Sunday School are to strengthen individuals’ and families’ faith in Jesus Christ through meaningful study of the scriptures and to help Church members teach one another the gospel of Christ.
The Sunday School General Presidency works with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to provide appropriate teaching material for religious study in the home and Sunday meetings. The Sunday School General Presidency counsels, inspires, and instructs local Sunday School presidencies who direct the religious instruction for their congregation.
Sunday School classes are held on the first and third Sundays of each month. All Church members and friends are invited to participate.
AREA PRESIDENCIES
An Area Presidency is a group of three priesthood leaders who oversee the Church in a specific part of the world. They work under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and they live in the area where they serve.
The Area President is usually a General Authority Seventy assigned to the area; two counselors serve with him. These may be General Authorities or Area Seventies. Members of the Area Presidency travel often within their area to teach and support Church members, missionaries, and leaders.
Area Presidencies are an important link between the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Church leaders and members who live in each area. These presidencies were first created in the 1980s when the growth of the Church made it impractical for the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to respond directly to the unique needs of the many areas of a growing worldwide Church. Area Presidencies are uniquely positioned to help build up the Church and provide valuable counsel and leadership to Church members around the world.
WARDS, BRANCHES, STAKES
I talk about wards, branches, and stakes throughout my "Works and Wonders" blog because that's the level of interaction that I had, and still have with leaders of the church. As such, you can probably learn much about how wards, branches, and stakes work by reading my blog (See "Set Apart and Setting Out" and "Bishops and Shepherds").
Although I suppose that there could be an infinite amount of names for callings, that is to say, "different responsibilities", they all serve much the same purposes as those listed above for General Officers of the church. Callings can be created or omitted as necessary, which may largely depend on the size of your local congregation and the number of individuals available to serve. Larger wards may have more callings whereas branches may have fewer. Other examples of callings may include responsibilities for people to lead the music in the church, coordinate the cleaning of the chapel building and grounds, organizing weekday recreational activities, planning ministering and service assignments, teaching classes, and so forth. Truly, the sky is the limit.
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS
The Organizations for youth between the ages of 12 and 17 have been referred to as the "Young Men" and "Young Women" since 1974. The first official youth association of the church dates back to March 1843 but has since then gone through a multitude of name and other changes.
The "Young Men" organization is divided up even further into 3 different age groups each. Their respective group names are "Deacons", "Teachers", and "Priests"; and are referred to as the "offices" of the priesthood, specifically the Aaronic Priesthood. They also should not be confused with the nomenclature used by other religions.
12-13-year-olds: Deacons (YM)
14-15-year-olds: Teachers (YM)
16-18-year-olds: Priests (YM)
Before a man may receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, he must first "hold the office" of a Priest and receive the Aaronic Priesthood. This is also true for male individuals who are older than 18 who are baptized and become members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is during his time as a Priest that he learns and prepares for the duties that come with the Melchizedek Priesthood. All things are done in order. Once an individual 18 years or older is ready to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, he then advances to the office of an "Elder". Most adult males in the church who have the priesthood are "Elders", however, it's not considered a "title" for them at large. The only people in the church whom we refer to as "Elder so-and-so" are male missionaries and male general officers of the church.
The "Young Women" organization, like the "Young Men" organization, has gone through adjustments over the years. Previously, the Young Women organization was also divided into similar age groups which went by the names "Beehive", "Mia Maid", and "Laurels". However, as of October 2019, it was announced that those class names have been retired and all classes are now referred to by the unifying name of “Young Women”.
As with other organizations of the church, within each class of Young Men or Young Women is a young man or young woman who acts as the president of their respective group, and usually has two counselors. Whereby the Young Men are organizations within the Aaronic Priesthood, they are referred to as Aaronic Priesthood Quorums, ie: The Deacons Quorum, Teachers Quorum, and Priests Quorum. Each quorum has a young man who serves as the president of his quorum and may call two other young men two serve as counselors. Each quorum has priesthood duties. Deacons may help to pass the sacrament to the congregation. Teachers assume the same responsibilities as Deacons but may also help prepare the sacrament trays, filling up the sacrament cups with water, and supplying bread. Priests assume the same responsibilities as Deacons and Teachers but may also offer the sacrament prayers (See "Sabbath Day Observance"). Additionally, Priests may be authorized by the bishop to perform baptisms. All young men and young women may serve in various capacities and have ample opportunities to render service.
Normally, weekday activities are offered to provide opportunities for the youth to socialize, learn, and have fun. Growing up in my ward, this usually happened every Wednesday and was called "Mutual". The types of activities varied as you might expect would happen if you were to go from one country to another. Sometimes each quorum or group broke off to do their own thing, and sometimes everyone did something together. Additionally, weekday sports activities are a common ward activity where I live, for youth and sometimes for adults too. The sky was the limit as far as fun activities went. Again, you'd expect this to be different wherever you go depending on how big of a youth group each ward has, their interests, their culture, their opportunities, and so forth.
SEMINARY:
Wherever possible, the youth of the church are encouraged to participate in another educational program in addition to regular Sunday classes known as "Seminary". Seminary is a worldwide, four-year religious educational program for youth ages 14 through 18. It is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is open to teenagers of all faiths.
The program was first launched at Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah over 100 years ago. The program has since grown into a worldwide system of religious education, bringing gospel instruction to young members of the Church throughout the world. From small beginnings, the seminary program and its collegiate counterpart — institutes of religion — grew to become the primary educational entities in the Church, with a larger enrollment than any other educational venture of the church and a wider reach than almost any educational organization worldwide. Today the seminary and institute programs teach over 700,000 students in over 150 different countries.
In seminary, students and their teachers meet each weekday during the school year to study scripture. The curriculum is organized in a sequential or chapter by chapter manner. Instruction concentrates on a different volume of scripture each year, rotating between the following four courses: Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants and Church History.
Courses are taught by full-time instructors in the populous areas of the Church and by volunteers and Church-service missionaries in other areas. To accommodate students throughout the world, seminary programs are offered in a variety of class formats.
ADULT CLASSES
When the youth turn 18, they typically move on to adult classes. For the men, when they receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, they move into the "Elders Quorum". For the women, they move into the "Relief Society". Generally speaking, these are similar to the youth groups in that they continue to learn, and serve together, but now it's for all adults who have different needs than youth. Men and women continue to participate in Sunday School together from the time they are youth through adulthood.
SO WHAT?
In summary, due to the vast and ever-increasing global reach of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, many worthy and willing hands are needed to fill the needs of Heavenly Father's children. These don't have to be at global scope. We can serve one another through small and simple means, even acts of kindness within our own families and communities. Every part is of equal importance and everyone is working towards the same goal of helping God's children receive the blessings of the restored gospel and achieve eternal life.
I would direct you towards the Four-fold mission of the church:
1. Perfecting the Saints
2. Proclaiming the Gospel
4. Caring for the Poor and Needy (See "Sacred Tithes and Offerings")
Everything that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does is for an eternal purpose. Our learning, our service, everything is to help us build the kingdom of God and to prepare the World for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This is the Work and Glory of God.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's one true kingdom upon the Earth. I know of no other religious organization as intricate yet efficacious as this. The more you delve into it, and see it first hand, the more you can get a sense of Jesus Christ directing the work. He is truly at the head.
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