The Structure and Leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: An Overview

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon Church, is a global organization with a complex structure of leadership. Understanding the roles and hierarchy within the church provides insight into its governance and leadership dynamics.

Top-Level Leadership: Prophets and Apostles

The highest echelon of leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is comprised of the First Presidency (FP) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Q12).

First Presidency (FP): This is the highest leadership body in the church and consists of three members. The president, who acts as the voice of God and leads the entire organization, is the focal point of the church's leadership. He is supported by two assistant presidents. Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Q12): This consists of 12 active members and is the second-highest leadership body. Originally, there were 14 members at any time because the two assistants to the president of the First Presidency are also members of the Q12. However, to ensure continuity, the church always maintains 12 active members.

These top-level leaders play a critical role in shaping the policies and directions of the church. Notably, not all of them are descendants of prominent early leaders. For instance, in the Q12, only one member, M. Russell Ballard, who is the ninth cousin of early leaders, is a descendant of these prominent prophets of the early church.

Ballard's great-great uncle, Joseph Smith, was a central figure in the early church, and his busts are prominently displayed in Ballard's office, symbolizing the continuity between past and present leadership.

Beyond the Top Leadership: The Quorums and Auxiliary Leaders

Beneath the top leadership lies a network of quorums and auxiliary leaders, each with specific roles and responsibilities.

Quorums of the Seventy: This is a lesser leadership body consisting of 70 members. These members have duties that are less significant than those of apostles or first presidency members. There are at least two such quorums, bringing the total number to 140. General Authorities: This category includes leaders beyond the primary quorums. There are several such positions, including the Presiding Bishopric, which typically consists of three individuals overseeing the administrative aspects of the church. There are also Presiding Young Men’s and Women’s Relief Societies and Primary, each with their own triad of leaders.

Adding these auxiliary leaders, the total number of general authorities comes to around 170. Beyond these general authorities, there are numerous area authorities, stake presidents, and bishops, whose numbers are vast and not easily quantifiable.

Stake and Local Leadership

The church is organized into stakes, which are usually composed of several wards, each governed by a bishop. The number of stakes and wards is extensive, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands globally, making the lower levels of leadership numerous and diverse.

By understanding the structure and leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we gain a deeper appreciation of its organizational complexity and the importance of its leaders in guiding the global church.