Skip to main content

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First Presidency

 Organization

Administrative History

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the governing body directing all the affairs of the church.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in March 1832 in Kirtland, Ohio, and is now located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was established by Joseph Smith, the Church's founder. The First Presidency consists of the President of the Church and usually two counselors chosen by himself. They are the governing body of the church and have dealt directly with affairs such as planning conferences and assemblies, temples, budgeting, auditing, and various other departments in the church. Latter-day Saints believe their President to be God's chosen Prophet for the Earth, and therefore all authority rests ultimately in him. At the death of the president, the First Presidency will dissolve, and a new President will be called; he will then select his own counselors and the First Presidency will once again be established.

Citation:
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, June 15, 2017 (est. March 1832 in Kirtland, Ohio by Joseph Smith; located in Salt Lake City, Utah; structural organization; function and roles; authority and method of re-establishment)

Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:

James R. Clark manuscript drafts and book

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231187722]
Identifier: MSS 1599
Scope and Contents Photocopies of typed and printed official statements of the First Presidency of the Mormon Church between the years 1935 and 1951 as well as a book entitled "Statements of the First Presidency" volume 6. This item was published in 1975 and compiled and autographed by James R. Clark. The statements relate to the church members and hierarchy dealing with Mormon doctrine and theology as well as Mormon Church policy and procedure. The majority of the statements were made between the years...
Dates: 1935-1951

James R. Clark papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2295
Abstract

This collection contains materials used by James R. Clark in writing the six volumes of Messages of the First Presidency. The material covers the years 1824 -1984. It also contains several drafts of each of the volumes.

Dates: 1824-1984

First Presidency announcement

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230310572]
Identifier: MSS SC 1301
Scope and Contents

Typewritten letter dated December 2, 1889. The letter announces the establishing of Joseph Smith's (1805-1844) birthday (December 23rd) as a holy day of fast and prayer.

Dates: 1889

First Presidency circular

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340256]
Identifier: MSS 101
Abstract

The folder contains a printed circular addressed "To the Bishop and the Board of the United Order in Your Ward." The item requests that food and tools be sent to St. George, Utah to assist in the construction of the Mormon temple there. The item was endorsed by Brigham Young, George A. Smith, and Daniel H. Wells.

Dates: 1874

First Presidency letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227642706]
Identifier: MSS 4005
Scope and Contents

Letter of First Presidency (signed by Ezra Taft Benson and Gordon B. Hinckley) to President Morris E. Peterson, Provo Utah East Stake, 29 May 1986. Reports the leaders of the Church agreeing to Peterson's recommendation to dissolve the Provo 40th Ward (singles) in accordance with the recent guidelines for singles wards.

Dates: 1986 May 29

First Presidency letter

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2066
Scope and Contents

Typewritten letter addressed "to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards" stating that John W. Rigdon; son of early Mormon Church leader, Sidney Ridgon; be given "full and free opportunity to speak to the people in your public gatherings." The item was signed by Joseph Fielding Smith and two other members of the First Presidency.

Dates: 1905

First Presidency letter

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230310622]
Identifier: MSS SC 1306
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of typewritten letter dated October 31, 1891. The document was addressed to David Moore and solicits money for the completion of the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dates: 1891 October 31

First Presidency letter

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230316611]
Identifier: MSS SC 2041
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a typewritten letter signed by Spencer W. Kimball and other members of the First Presidency of the Mormon Church. Letter includes guidelines for local Church authorities when interviewing members for callings, temple recommends, or missionary service. Includes instructions for local leaders to avoid indelicate inquiries into marital relations, as well as an interpretation of oral sex as constituting an unnatural, impure, or unholy practice.

Dates: 1982 January 5

First Presidency letter

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2157
Scope and Contents

Typewritten and signed letter addressed to William Conover of Springville, Utah. The item was signed by George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark, and David O. McKay. Conover was informed that the Book of Mormon had been translated into the Tahitian language.

Dates: 1946

First Presidency proclamation on temple work

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232578978]
Identifier: MSS SC 1542
Scope and Contents Handwritten proclamation by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, consisting of Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund, regarding instructions on various aspects of temple work. Includes instructions on who can receive a recommend for the "highest blessings" in the temple and for women being sealed to another man "whether she had lived with him or not." Includes the names of Ira N. Hinckley and John D.T. McAllister. Ira N. Hinckley was from...
Dates: approximately 1901-1910