President (LDS Church honorific)

President is an honorific title in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) given to members who hold certain leadership positions.

General leaders

The title of "President" is given to a number of general leaders of the LDS Church. The President of the Church and his counselors in the First Presidency are usually referred to as "President".^[1] The President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is referred to as "President", as is the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (if any). Historically, Assistant President of the Church was also given this title.

Historically, women and men who served as general presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, Young Men, or Sunday School organizations were not referred to as "President"; instead "Sister" or "Brother", the common courtesy title for adult members was used. However, around 2020, official church sources started referring to these leaders as "President".^[2][3][4]

Local leaders

The title of "President" is given to a number of local leaders of the LDS Church. Presidents of stakes, missions, districts, and temples are referred to as "President", as are their two counselors. A branch president is given the title "President", but his counselors in the branch presidency are not. Similarly, presidents of the church's elders, teachers, and deacons quorums may be given the title of "President", though their counselors are not.^[1] Like the change at the general level, local organizational presidents are now more frequently referred to as "President."^{[citation needed]}

Presidents not given the title

The seven members of the Presidency of the Seventy are given the honorific title "Elder" rather than "President", even though they are the presidents of the church's quorums of the Seventy.

See also

• Index of religious honorifics and titles § Latter Day Saints

Notes

1. Nelson, Russell M. (April 1993). "Honoring the Priesthood". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Each member of the First Presidency is addressed and spoken of as 'President.' The title 'President' is also used when referring to the presidency of a stake or mission, and in reference to a quorum or branch president.
2. Jean B. Bingham, "President Bingham on women and priesthood — The Lord is leading us gently along", Church News, May 20, 2020.
3. "Seek Jesus Christ Through Scripture Study, Says Sunday School General President". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
4. "President Porter Explains 'a Cloud of Witnesses' Metaphor In Devotional". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-17.

References

• D. Michael Quinn (1997, 3rd ed). The Mormon Hierarchy: Extension of Power (Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, ISBN 1-56085-060-4)