''Teachings of Presidents of the Church'' is a series of books published by
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 Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
(LDS Church). Each book of the series briefly compiles the teachings and sermons of one of the men who has served as
president of the LDS Church. The series is not complete, with 15 books having been released by August 2016. (There have been 17 presidents of the LDS Church.) The text of each book is not limited to sermons preached while the person was president of the church, but generally contain teachings given during their time as an ordained
apostle
An apostle (), in its literal sense, is an emissary, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (''apóstolos''), literally "one who is sent off", from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (''apostéllein''), "to send off". The purpose of such sending ...
.
The series began in 1997, with the release of the
Brigham Young
Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second President of the Church (LDS Church), president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his ...
edition. The books are not being issued in the same order in which presidents served. The books are not intended to be a comprehensive collection of the words, sermons, or writings of their subjects. Church members have been encouraged to save the books and make a collection in their homes. Four and a half million copies of the 2008 adult study course, ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith'', were printed.
The books served as a basis for many of the lessons presented in weekly church
Relief Society
The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, United States, and has more than 7 million members in over 18 ...
and adult
priesthood meetings. Each book was used as class curriculum for one or two calendar years, depending on the length of the book. In 2010 and 2011, the church temporarily ceased using this series for communal study at Sunday meetings and instead used a newly revised ''
Gospel Principles
''Gospel Principles'' is a book that sets out some of the basic doctrines and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The book is published by the LDS Church and is provided to its members as a personal study guid ...
'' manual. Sunday study of the ''Teachings of Presidents of the Church'' series resumed in 2012, but concluded at the end of 2017.
(Beginning in 2018, adult church members use a new approach to the Sunday curriculum entitled ''Come Follow Me: For Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society.'' This places greater emphasis on members counseling together regarding local needs, increased study of
general conference talks, and studying other topics selected by the general church leadership.)
Instructions for Curriculum 2018
churchofjesuschrist.org. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
The copyright in the books is held by Intellectual Reserve
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 c ...
, but they are available in electronic format for free on the LDS Church's website.
Books in the series
As of 2022, no edition has been published for Russell M. Nelson
Russell Marion Nelson Sr. (born September 9, 1924) is an American religious leader and retired surgeon who is the 17th and current president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Nelson was a member of the LDS Church ...
, the seventeenth church president.
References
External links
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Official site
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints texts
Relief Society
1997 in Christianity
1997 books
21st-century Mormonism
20th-century Mormonism
Books about presidents of the church (LDS Church)
Works by presidents of the church (LDS Church)
Works by apostles (LDS Church)
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