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First Presidency (LDS Church)

The First Presidency, also called the Quorum of the Presidency of the Church[1] or simply the Presidency,[2] is the presiding governing body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of Russell M. Nelson and his two counselors: Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring.[3]

This article is about First Presidency of the LDS Church. For information about the First Presidency in the wider Latter Day Saint movement, see First Presidency.

(1832–44)

Sidney Rigdon

(1832–33)

Jesse Gause

(1833–37)

Frederick G. Williams

(1837–44)

John Smith

(1837–40)

Joseph Smith Sr.

(1841–44)

William Law

(1841–42)

John C. Bennett

(1901–10)

John R. Winder

(1925–31)

Charles W. Nibley

(1965–70)

Thorpe B. Isaacson

There is no requirement that counselors in the First Presidency be apostles of the church. The following men served as a counselor in the First Presidency during the years indicated and were never ordained to the priesthood office of apostle. For example, J. Reuben Clark was not an apostle when he became second counselor in the First Presidency on April 6, 1933, but a year and a half later, he was ordained as an apostle and became a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles for one day, on October 11, 1934.

Assistant Counselor to Joseph Smith, not retained as a counselor by Brigham Young

John Smith

Assistant Counselor to Joseph Smith, not retained as a counselor by Brigham Young

Amasa M. Lyman

First Counselor to Brigham Young, not retained as a counselor by John Taylor

John Willard Young

Second Counselor to Brigham Young, not retained as a counselor by John Taylor

Daniel H. Wells

Lorenzo Snow, and Albert Carrington, Assistant Counselors to Brigham Young, not retained as counselors by John Taylor

Brigham Young Jr.

called as Second Counselor to Lorenzo Snow, not retained as a counselor by Joseph F. Smith

Rudger Clawson

First Counselor to David O. McKay, not retained as a counselor by Joseph Fielding Smith

Hugh B. Brown

and Alvin R. Dyer, Counselors to David O. McKay, not retained as counselors by Joseph Fielding Smith

Thorpe B. Isaacson

First Counselor to Spencer W. Kimball, not retained as a counselor by Ezra Taft Benson

Marion G. Romney

Second Counselor to Thomas S. Monson, not retained as a counselor by Russell M. Nelson

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

(1838–40)

George W. Robinson

(1865–1909)

George Reynolds

(1909–22)

George F. Gibbs

(1922–70)

Joseph Anderson

(1970–86)

Francis M. Gibbons

F. Michael Watson (1986–2008)

Brook P. Hales (2008–)

Chronology of the First Presidency (LDS Church)

Council of the Church

List of general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints