The Church and its Plan of Organization
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles-Twelve men holding the apostleship, properly organized, constitute the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, also designated The Council of the Twelve. These the Lord has named as the twelve traveling councilors; they form the Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate under the direction of the First Presidency in all parts of the world. They constitute a quorum whose unanimous decisions are equally binding in power and authority with those of the First Presidency of the Church. When the First Presidency is disorganized through the death or disability of the President, the directing authority in government reverts at once to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, by whom the nomination to the Presidency is made.
The Presiding Quorum of Seventy-The First Quorum of Seventies form a body whose unanimous decisions would be equally binding with those of the Twelve Apostles on matters properly brought before the Seventy for their official action. Many quorums of seventies may be required in the work of the Church. Each quorum is presided over by seven presidents. The seven presidents of the First Quorum of Seventies, however, preside over all the other quorums and their presidents.
The Presiding Bishopric, as at present constituted, comprises the Presiding Bishop of the Church and two counselors. This body holds jurisdiction over the duties of other bishops in the Church, and of all activities and organizations pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood. The oldest living representative among the sons of Aaron is entitled to this office of presidency, provided he be in all respects worthy and qualified; however, he must be designated and ordained by the First Presidency of the Church. If such a literal descendant of Aaron be found and ordained, he may act without counselors except when he sits in judgment in a trial of one of the Presidents of the High Priesthood, in which case he is to be assisted by twelve High Priests. But in the absence of any direct descendant of Aaron properly qualified, a High Priest of the Melchizedek Priesthood may be called and set apart by the First Presidency of the Church to the office of Presiding Bishop; he is to be assisted by two other High Priests properly ordained and set apart as his counselors.
Local Organizations of the Priesthood-Where the saints are permanently located, Stakes of Zion are organized, each stake comprising a number of wards or branches. Over each stake is placed a Stake Presidency, consisting of a president and two counselors, who are high priests set apart to this office. The Stake Presidency is assisted in judicial functions by a Standing High Council, composed of twelve high priests chosen and ordained to the office. This council is presided over by the Stake Presidency, and forms the highest judicial tribunal of the stake.
The presidents of stakes and bishops of wards are pastors to the fold; their duties are analogous to those of the pastors of former dispensations. The high priests and the elders in each stake are organized into quorums as already described, the former without limitation as to number, the latter forming one or more quorums, each of ninety-six members. Patriarchs are also set apart to officiate in their office among the people of the stake.
A Ward Bishopric is established in every fully organized ward of the Church. This body consists of three high priests, one of whom is ordained as a bishop and set apart to preside over the ward, the other two being set apart as counselors to the bishop. The bishop has jurisdiction over the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood in his ward, and also over holders of the Higher Priesthood as members of his ward; but he has no direct presidency over quorums of the Melchizedek order, as such, which may be embraced within his domain. As a presiding high priest, he properly presides over his entire ward. The ward comprises quorums of priests, teachers, and deacons, one or more of each as the numerical extent of the ward may determine, and also auxiliary organizations as noted hereinafter.
Church Auxiliaries-Beside these constituted authorities and offices in the Priesthood, there are secondary organizations established for moral, educational, and benevolent purposes. These include the following:
Primary Associations providing for the moral instruction and training of young children.
Mutual Improvement Associations comprising separate organizations for the sexes, and designed for the education and training of the youth in subjects of practical interest. Instruction is provided in literature and history, dramatics and music, science and art, the laws of health, and numerous other branches of useful knowledge; and facilities are provided for recreational activities of wide and varied range.
Sunday Schools include graded classes for the study of the scriptures and for training in theology, in moral and religious duties, and in the discipline of the Church. Sunday schools, while primarily designed for the young, are open to all and include kindergarten and parents’ classes with all intermediate gradations.
Church Schools provide for both secular and religious instruction, and range from the grade of the kindergarten to that of the college.
Religion Classes-In these is provided a course of graded instruction in theology and religion, which is offered as supplement and complement to the secular teachings of the non-denominational schools. Theological seminaries are maintained for students of high school and college grades.
Relief Societies-These are composed of women whose duties relate to the care of the poor and the relief of suffering amongst the afflicted.
Most of these auxiliary organizations function in each ward of the Church, as also in the missions throughout the world. Officers are appointed to preside in the several auxiliaries of the ward, and while they are under the general supervision of the ward bishopric they look to the Stake and General Boards of the respective organizations for detailed instruction as to the plans and methods of their particular work. In line with the principle of common consent, which characterizes the Church administration in general, officers of the auxiliary institutions, while nominated by or with the approval of the administrative officers of the Priesthood, are sustained in their places by the vote of the members in the local or general units within which they are appointed to serve.