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
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Ended On 1844 June 27
Formed in Kirtland, Lake, Ohio, United States
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Occurred On 1832 March 8
Brigham Young Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1877 August 29
John Taylor Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1887 July 25
Wilford Woodruff Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1898 September 2
Lorenzo Snow Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1901 October 10
Joseph F. Smith Set Apart as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1918 November 19
Heber J. Grant Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1945 May 14
George Albert Smith Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1951 April 4
David O. McKay Sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1970 January 18
Joseph Fielding Smith Set Apart as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1972 July 2
Harold B. Lee Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1973 December 26
Spencer W. Kimball Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1985 November 5
Ezra Taft Benson Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1994 May 30
Howard W. Hunter Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 1995 March 3
Gordon B. Hinckley Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 2008 January 27
Thomas S. Monson Set Apart as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ended On 2018 January 2
Russell M. Nelson Called as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Started On 2018 January 14
