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 4 Collections and/or Records:

General Authorities photographs

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197225524542]
Identifier: MSS 3242
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1960-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / General Authorities photographs

Group portrait of Mormon missionaries in England

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231238368]
Identifier: MSS P 800
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: approximately 1886
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Group portrait of Mormon missionaries in England

Photographs of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles under President John Taylor

 Collection — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197227644025]
Identifier: MSS 3712
Scope and Contents This large framed photo montage consists of images of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1881. The photographs are arranged in order of seniority: President John Taylor, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon (1st Counselor), Joseph F. Smith (2nd Counselor), Brigham Young Jr., Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, and John Henry Smith. Around each photo is the man's age, stature...
Dates: 1881
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Photographs of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles under President John Taylor

Smith family photographs

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197225546537]
Identifier: MSS 3770
Scope and Contents

Collection includes digital reproductions of images of the Smith family taken between 1874 and 1918.

Dates: 1874-1918
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Smith family photographs

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.