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General Authorities

The Mormon church claims to be led by continuous revelation from their prophet. The church has a hierarchical chain of command from the sitting prophet, who also serves as church president, to priesthood for 12-year-old boys. Quotations in this handbook are from General Authorities, those in the top three tiers of church leadership.

• First Presidency
  The prophet is also the president of the church. He appoints two apostles to serve as counselors. Together they form the First Presidency. The prophet serves for life and upon death he is replaced by the longest serving apostle.
• Quorum of the Twelve
  Twelve apostles serve life terms and may be appointed to the First Presidency. Together they conduct church policy and administration.
• The Seventy
  The Seventy are organized into three bodies.
• General Authority Seventies serve as full time assistants to the apostles, until about the age of 70.
• Area Seventies are organized by region and serve part-time in a local capacity for about 5 years. There are currently twelve regional quorums which can increase with church growth.
• The Presidency of the Seventy is comprised of seven General Authority Seventies who preside over all members of the Seventy. One is chosen as president to lead the other six.

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