The First Presidency is comprised of three persons, the President of the Church and two counselors selected by the President. Historically Presidents of the Church have called additional counselors as needed. The First Presidency was established in March 1832. Two years after the Church was established in this dispensation. The First Presidency has Priesthood keys to "minister in the dispensation of the fulness of times." Upon the death of the President, the First Presidency is automatically dissolved and the authority of the Church passes immediately to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles with the presiding officer being the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. The counselors in the First Presidency return to their respective positions with the Quorum. The First Presidency is reconstituted at the calling of a new President who, in every instance, has been the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Learn more
Joseph Smith, Jr. Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Formed in Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, United States
Brigham Young Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
John Taylor Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Wilford Woodruff Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Lorenzo Snow Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Joseph F. Smith Set Apart as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Heber J. Grant Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
George Albert Smith Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
David O. McKay Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Joseph Fielding Smith Set Apart as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Harold B. Lee Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Spencer W. Kimball Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Ezra Taft Benson Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Howard W. Hunter Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Gordon B. Hinckley Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Thomas S. Monson Set Apart as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Start Date Details
End Date Details
Russell M. Nelson Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Date Details
