General Authorities

General Authorities are the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Background

As Jesus Christ began his ministry he called and ordained righteous men to hold the priesthood. He organized His Church with twelve men to bear testimony of Him and to help guide His Church. Other men were also called to help the twelve Apostles bear these responsibilities. Christ set up His church in the same way when he visited the Book of Mormon people in America after His Resurrection.

Eventually the truth of Christ’s Church and its organization was lost until revelation was given through Joseph Smith. Christ’s Church was again organized in the same way as Christ had organized it. Twelve men were ordained as Apostles, and other men have been called to help lead and direct Christ’s Church. These men are referred to as General Authorities.

Organization

General Authorities hold the Melchizedek or higher Priesthood and are called to be in one of these positions: the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Seventy, or the Presiding Bishopric.

• The First Presidency is made up of three men, the {Mormon prophet|President]] of the Church and two counselors. The President of the Church holds all of the keys of the Priesthood and directs the Church through revelation.

• The Twelve Apostles are called to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ, just like the original twelve apostles. The Twelve Apostles also help guide the Church under the First Presidency’s direction.

• The Seventy are called to work under the direction of the Twelve Apostles to help regulate the affairs of the Church.

• The Presiding Bishopric is in charge of watching over the physical dealings of the Church and work under the direction of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency.

Responsibilities

General Authorities are responsibile to act as representatives of Jesus Christ. They are able to receive revelation from Him on how to direct His Church under the direction of the First Presidency. To fulfill this responsibility, General Authorities travel throughout the world to help teach members and local leaders, keep unity within the church, make sure that correct doctrines are taught, ordain local priesthood leaders, prepare and give messages to members of the Church, supervise all the executive affairs of the Church, and bear their testimonies of the Savior.

Who are General Authorities?

A person is typically called to be a General Authority by a member of the First Presidency or the Quorum of the Twelve. The President of the Church and members of the Quorum of the Twelve are typically called for the remainder of their life. In current Church policy, men called to the Quorums of the Seventy keep the designation "Elder" and typically remain general authorities until they die, but are granted emeritus status at the age of 70.

In the semi-annual general conference of the Church held in April of each year, General Authorities are presented to the general membership of the Church for a sustaining vote. This is a voluntary indication made by each member (usually by raising their right hand) that the member agrees to be led by the individuals presented as general authorities and to support them in their stewardships. This procedure is dictated by Church theology, which states that the Church shall be governed by the common consent of its membership (Doctrine and Covenants 20:65).