History

Prophets

THE SIXTEEN PROPHETS OF MORMONISM:

Joseph Smith, Jr.

LDS prophet from 1830-1844.

Birthplace: Sharon, Vermont

Brigham Young

LDS prophet between 1847-1877.

Birthplace: Whitingham, Vermont

John Taylor

LDS prophet between 1880 -1887.

Birthplace: Milnthorp, England

Wilford Woodruff

LDS prophet between 1889-1898.

Birthplace: Farmington, Connecticut

Lorenzo Snow

LDS prophet between 1898-1901

Birthplace: Mantua, Ohio

Joseph F. Smith

LDS prophet between 1901-1918

Birthplace: Far West, Missouri

Heber J. Grant

LDS prophet between 1918-1945

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

George A. Smith

LDS prophet between 1945-1951

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

David O. McKay

LDS prophet between 1951-1970

Birthplace: Huntsville, Utah

Joseph Fielding Smith

LDS prophet between 1970-1972

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

Harold B. Lee

LDS prophet between 1972-1973

Birthplace: Clifton, Idaho

Spencer W. Kimball

LDS prophet between 1973-1985

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

Ezra Taft Benson

LDS prophet between 1985-1994

Birthplace: Whitney, Idaho

Howard Hunter

LDS prophet between 1994-1995

Birthplace: Boise, Idaho

Gordan B. Hinckley

LDS prophet between 1995-2008

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

Thomas Monson

LDS prophet beginning 2008-current

Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah

Understanding LDS Church Government

PROPHET

The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is considered a prophet similiar to Moses or Isaiah of the Bible. The Mormon prophet has the final word on all matters.

"Any new revelation for the Church would, of course, be presented to the people by the President of the Church, he being the mouthpiece of God on earth." (Doctrine and Covenants 21:1-7)

"The First Presidency" is a term that refers to the LDS Prophet and his two counselors.

APOSTLES

An LDS Apostle is the highest priesthood office of the Melchizedek Priesthood. There are always twelve apostles of the Mormon Church. The senior apostle, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve, becomes the new President of the Mormon Church upon the death of the prophet. The President of the Quorum of the Twelve is formally sustained by the members of the Church as the "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" and President of the Church.

THE SEVENTY

Based on the seventy disciples of Christ mentioned in Luke 10:1-2. The LDS "Seventy" are directed by the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church yet considered equal to the Apostles in terms of Priesthood authority. The members of the First and the Second Quorums of the Seventy are "general authorities" of the church with responsibilities covering the church as a whole.

STAKE PRESIDENT

Administrator of a group of wards located within a geographic area known as a "stake" of the LDS Church. A stake is similiar to a Catholic diocese.

BISHOP

Similiar to a pastor, a Mormon bishop leads a Mormon congregation, known as a ward. He is an unpaid lay-leader.

BRANCH PRESIDENT

Leader of a Mormon "branch", or a very small congregation of Latter-day Saints.