President is an
honorific
An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an honorary academic title. It ...
title in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The ...
(LDS Church) given to men who hold certain
priesthood 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". The
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Automobiles
* Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese f ...
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, the
Assistant President of the Church was also given this title.
Local leaders
The title of "President" is given to a number of local leaders of the LDS Church. Presidents of
stakes,
missions
Mission (from Latin ''missio'' "the act of sending out") may refer to:
Organised activities Religion
* Christian mission, an organized effort to spread Christianity
*Mission (LDS Church), an administrative area of The Church of Jesus Christ of ...
,
districts
A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or county, counties, several municipality, municipa ...
, and
temples
A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose 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
A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching.
''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...
, and
deacons
A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Churc ...
quorums are given the title of "President", though their counselors are not.
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. Men who serve in general or local presidencies of the
Young Men or the
Sunday School
A Sunday school is an educational institution, usually (but not always) Christian in character. Other religions including Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism have also organised Sunday schools in their temples and mosques, particularly in the West.
S ...
are not referred to as "President"; instead "Brother" is used, which is the common courtesy title for all adult male members.
Traditionally, women who act as general or local presidents of the
Relief Society,
Young Women, and
Primary
Primary or primaries may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music Groups and labels
* Primary (band), from Australia
* Primary (musician), hip hop musician and record producer from South Korea
* Primary Music, Israeli record label
Work ...
are not referred to as "President"; instead "Sister" is used, which is the common courtesy title for all adult female members. However,
Jean B. Bingham, who has been general president of the Relief Society since 2017, has been referred to as "President Bingham" by official church sources.
[Jean B. Bingham]
"President Bingham on women and priesthood — The Lord is leading us gently along"
''Church News
The ''Church News'' (or ''LDS Church News'') is a weekly tabloid-sized supplement to the ''Deseret News'' and the '' MormonTimes'', a Salt Lake City, Utah newspaper owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It is ...
'', May 20, 2020.
See also
*
Index of religious honorifics and titles § Latter Day Saints
Notes
References
*
D. Michael Quinn
Dennis Michael Quinn (March 26, 1944 – April 21, 2021) was an American historian who focused on the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was a professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) from 1976 until ...
(1997, 3rd ed). ''The Mormon Hierarchy: Extension of Power'' (Salt Lake City, Utah: Signature Books, )
Ecclesiastical titles
Latter Day Saint hierarchy
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Latter Day Saint terms
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