Organization
of the Mormon Church
The Church of
Jesus Christ (Mormon Church) was restored on the earth by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many of the words used to describe what Mormons believe or the
Church organization are sometimes difficult to understand for those who are not
members of the LDS Church. This article will provide some basic information
about the Church organization.
The leadership
of the Mormon Church is patterned after the church that Christ set up during
His earthly ministry. A Prophet along
with two counselors and a Quorum of Twelve Apostles lead The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are official representatives of Christ and
receive revelation for and in behalf of the Mormon Church. These Church leaders, along with others,
make up what are called the “General Authorities”, who are responsible for the
worldwide administration of the Church.
A local
congregation of members is called a "ward" and is led by a bishop.
The bishop is an unpaid lay minister who works a full time job besides leading
the ward. If a congregation is small it is called a "branch" and led
by a branch president. Each adult within a ward or branch is given a calling to
serve in different organizations of the Mormon Church. These organizations
include: Relief Society, Young Men, Young Women, Primary, Sunday School, and
Priesthood Groups.
A group of
congregations(wards) belong to what is called a "stake", which is led by a
"stake president." He has a group of counselors and other people that
assist him. All provide their service without compensation. The "stake
center" is a larger Mormon Church building that houses the offices of the
stake president.
On Sunday
families attend three hours of meetings, which are divided into three blocks of
time.
For this hour
everyone, adults and children, meet together in a large room called the chapel.
There they pray, sing hymns, partake of the sacrament, and are instructed by
individuals from the congregation or local leaders who are asked to present a
"talk" on a certain subject. The first Sunday of the month is
designated as Fast Sunday where members are asked to fast for at least two
meals. During the meeting members share their testimonies of the Mormon Church.
During the next
hour teenagers and adults attend their respective Sunday School classes and are
taught doctrines of the Mormon Church from the scriptures. Each year the
lessons rotate between the Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and
Doctrine and Covenants.
For the third hour
men are divided into High Priest or Elders Quorums depending on their
priesthood authority and are taught a lesson. Women attend the Relief Society,
the largest women's organization in the world. It is the responsibility of both
priesthood holders and Relief Society women to serve within the ward and assist
the Bishop in the welfare of the members.
Teenagers belong
to the Young Men or Young Women Organizations and receive separate lessons,
also during the third hour. Teenagers also meet one designated evening during
the week for an activity that promotes gospel principles, friendship, and fun.
The children's
organization is called the Primary. It is a two-hour block during the regular
Sunday services in which children have an individual class lesson then meet
together as a group for singing time and a group lesson. It is in Primary that
children learn the basic Mormon beliefs.
For more
information visit: