Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Thirty

The First Presidency Will Lead Us in the Way of Life and Salvation

The First Presidency is the governing body, highest ranking quorum, and presiding council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – The First Presidency’s authority, duties, and responsibilities extend over every person and all matters in the Church.  This quorum usually consists of three persons – the President of the Church and two counselors selected by the President” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism Vol 2, p. 512-13, hereafter Encyclopedia).  The First Presidency, originally referred to as the Presidency of the High Priesthood, was established in March 1832, two years after the Church was organized (see D&C 81:1-2).

Council meetings of the First Presidency – The First Presidency meets in council often.  I had a never to be forgotten experience with the First Presidency and a candidate for President of the United States. This experience is described in Lessons on Freedom and Patriotism from the Book of Mormon, p. iii.  Also, on another occasion a member of the First Presidency told me the First Presidency often meets every day, and at most meetings they deal with a stack of sealing issues, such as exceptions to policy, cancellations, and special requests.  Others help gather information, but the decision on sealings is not delegated.  He explained that people often seek answers about who someone will be “sealed to” in the eternities, but do not understand the importance of the sealing blessings in this life.   He said that if we are worthy of the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom the “sealed to” questions will all be resolved to our joy and satisfaction.  It is important to have the sealing blessings in this life as this will help us endure so these blessings will be eternal. 

The Quorum of Twelve Apostles is also a presiding council, serving the First Presidency – Twelve men ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood office of Apostle constitute the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest presiding quorum in the government of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints….The Twelve serve under the direction of the First Presidency.  When I was serving as the first councilor in the Salt Lake Temple presidency and Susan, as assistant to the Matron, we had the wonderful experience to welcome members of the Twelve as they arrived for their Thursday morning council meeting on the fourth floor of the temple.  They often visited with us briefly.  

The Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles – Latter-day Saints sustain the fifteen men who serve in the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.  These men are given a special spiritual endowment and authority in connection with their teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ both to the Church and to the world.  Also, while serving in the Salt Lake Temple presidency, as described above, we were able to also welcome the First Presidency as they arrived for their council meeting with the Twelve.  President Monson would often stop for a short visit with us and for a much longer visit with the youth who were waiting for him at the entrance of the baptistry.

The apostles Peter, James, and John comprised the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ in New Testament times – While in mortality the Lord established His Church that would continue after His crucifixion.  Peter was chosen as the presiding officer with James and John as councilors.  As an ancient first presidency, they functioned in a manner similar to the First Presidency today (see Matthew 17:1-3; 26:37-39; Mark 5:37-42).  

The apostleship and the keys of the Melchizedek  Priesthood were restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Peter, James, and John (see D&C 27:12; 128:20) – “As a first presidency, Peter, James, and John possessed the special authority to give Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery the keys of ministry in the dispensation of the fulness of times.  It is these keys that control the exercise of the priesthood by all others in the vital functions of the Church in modern times” (Encyclopedia).

The keys of the kingdom of God are on the earth today – The keys of the kingdom of God on earth have been passed on in an uninterrupted line of authority from Peter, James, and John to Joseph Smith, and from Joseph Smith to each of the 15 men who are ordained Apostles and are members of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  These are the men we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators.  The Apostles are presided over by the senior Apostle who is the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and who directs the use all priesthood keys.

As it was anciently with Peter, James, and John so it is today with President Nelson, President Oaks, and President Eyring – I testify that if we stay in the mainstream of the Church and give strict heed to the council and teachings of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles, the promise is certain and sure that in these exciting and challenging times, they will lead us in the way of life and salvation.