How Are Mormons Organized?

Mormons seem to be one group people have a lot of questions about. Unfortunately there seems to be a lack of genuine information on what Mormons are all about. This article seeks to explain in a basic way how Mormons or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized.

The first point to understand is that Mormons believe Jesus Christ is at the head of their church. Of course this idea is not unique to Mormons. The one at the head of the church here on earth is the President of the church, who is recognized as a prophet. He has two councilors. Together they make what is called the First Presidency. There is also a group of twelve apostles. These leaders are all considered apostles and are in their position until they die. The president of the church is always the most senior apostle. Apostles have seniority based on how long they have been an apostle and not how old they are.

Below these two bodies is the seventy. These positions are not for life. Seventies serve all around the world performing various functions. There are other worldwide leadership positions for the church's women's group (called the Relief Society), young women, and other groups.

On the local level, Mormons are organized into wards, similar to parishes. These groups make up every Mormon in a given area who meet together for church each Sunday. Wards are presided over by a bishop, who is lay clergy (in other words, works a day job). All positions filled in wards are done so by lay clergy. Each ward has organizations for men, women, teenage girls and boys, and children. Meetings typically last for three hours each Sunday. Several wards are under the leadership of a stake, which has a stake president who is also lay clergy.

Perhaps one of the most visible positions in the Mormon Church is the missionaries. Mormon missionaries are highly recognizable for their white shirts, ties, and black name tags. Even though missionaries work full time in their position for eighteen to twenty-four months, they are lay clergy as well. Missionaries pay their expenses each month to teach others about their religion. Missionaries are either young single men or women, or they are older individuals or couples.

For more information on official church structure, see this page on the church's official site.