Temple President

A Temple President is a high priest who supervises the work of a temple. He is generally an older man who has had much leadership experience in the church. Many emeritus and former general authorities serve as temple president's, particularly in there native areas or in areas where they have done a lot of church work. A temple president's duties include interviewing people that receive their own endowments and marriages, Prospective temple worker's. greeting patrons at the baptistry and other places in the temple and answering questions Patrons may have. He also goes to Stake Conference's and Ward meetings on sunday's when the schedule permits and encourage people to attend the temple in the temple district. He is assisted by two counselors. Him and his Counselors wives serve as temple matrons

Matron's Role

Since women receive many of the ordinances at the hands of women, a matron will accompany her husband throughout the district as he speaks at various meetings and interview female patrons and temple workers. She will also assist and help so that the work goes smoothly for the sisters in the temple.

Length of Service

In larger temples, temple presidents generally serve for three years and, at present, begin their term around the first of November though in the past it was the first of September. In smaller temples however, they serve for an unspecified length of time much like many other callings in the church. This is often 4 or 5 years.

Role of Counselors

In larger temple's Counselor's assist the Patron and assistant Matron's assist the matron's in there roles such as interviewing patrons and workers when the president cannot be there or possibly interview all of the people that need interviewed. They also assist in attending ward and stake meetings as well. In smaller temples a counselor may serve as an engineer and one may serve as a recorder thus saving money by eliminating paid job's in those temple's. Most of the counselors generally live around the area in the temple district and like the President have had many leadership expereinces in the church.