Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First Presidency
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 46 Collections and/or Records:
First Presidency letter
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.
First Presidency letter to all mission presidents in foreign areas
Letter to all mission presidents in foreign areas from the First Presidency concerning “purchase of future branch meetinghouse sites in foreign areas,” 1961.
First Presidency proclamation on temple work
General Authorities photographs
Collection consists of three black and white, framed photographs of General Authorities taken between 1960 and 1963. The first depicts the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1960, the second the First Presidency in 1963, and the third the Quorum of the Twelve in 1963.
Heber J. Grant statements
Photocopy of a 1922 newsclipping concerning political affiliations of the Mormon Church and its members. The Church was not officially aligned politically. The other item is typed, undated, and relates to the conferring of the priesthood in the Mormon Church. Each item is endorsed by Heber J. Grant and the other members of the First Presidency of the Mormon Church.
James M. Greig letter
Handwritten and signed letter, dated 17 March 1844, and addressed to the First Presidency of the Mormon Church. Greig writes about the activities of Elijah R. Scwackhammer, "a Transgressor." Greig states that Scwackhammer's conduct was not in line with the teachings of the Mormon faith. A note, signed by Richard Savary, is with the letter stating that Greig is an honest man.
Group portrait of Mormon missionaries in England
Cabinet portrait of ten men believed to have been Mormon missionaries serving in England around 1886. In the center of the photographs is Daniel H. Wells, apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the position of Wells in the center of the portrait, it may be assumed he was serving as mission president at that time. Wells was president of the British Mission of the Church from 1885 to 1887.
John Hafen papers
Ansil Perse Harmon letter of introduction
Printed and signed letter of introduction for Ansil P. Harmon who was going on a mission for the Mormon Church.
James R. Clark index card boxes, undated
Notecards on Adam, the origin of man, Old Testament prophets, the Council of the Fifty, the Pearl of Great Price, cosmology, etc.; also biographies and assorted biographical information.