Mission president
Encyclopedia
Mission president is a priesthood
leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). A mission president presides over a mission
and the missionaries
serving in the mission. Depending on the particular mission, a mission president may also be the presiding priesthood leader of some or all Latter-day Saints within the geographic boundaries of the mission.
of Utah, a two-time Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award recipient, and a Harvard Business School
professor. They usually leave in July, though some leave at different times due to emergencies or medical conditions.
Candidates are typically interviewed after the autumn conference of the LDS Church
by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Mission presidents are usually assisted by two counselors who reside within the mission boundaries; the three men together constitute the mission presidency and are each given the honorific
title "President"
. The counselors serve in the mission presidency for varying periods of time while maintaining their regular employment. The responsibilities of the counselors are generally oriented towards the members of the church within the mission.
Mission presidents are also assisted by two or more full-time missionaries under the title of "assistant to the president", whose duties are primarily directed toward supervision of the missionary work under the direction of the mission president. These assistants lead an independent hierarchy that may or may not correspond with local church units. The role of a mission president's wife varies depending on the age of her children and her background.
s which are composed of branches.
Mission presidents are typically respected and admired by the missionaries they supervise. Obedience to the mission president is considered a vital part of missionary work.
of the church have previously served as mission presidents, but it is not necessary for a person to have been a mission president to become a general authority.
Priesthood (LDS Church)
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God for the salvation of humankind...
leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). A mission president presides over a mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
and the missionaries
Mormon missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010...
serving in the mission. Depending on the particular mission, a mission president may also be the presiding priesthood leader of some or all Latter-day Saints within the geographic boundaries of the mission.
Selection
Mission presidents are assigned to a mission by the leadership of the LDS church and typically discover the location a few months before their departure. Mission presidents are typically men between 40 and 65 years old. A mission president must be married; typically, his wife and any minor children accompany him on his mission. Mission presidents are either retired or leave their vocations for three years to preside over their mission. Prominent examples include a former United States Congressman, a former GovernorGovernor (United States)
In the United States, the title governor refers to the chief executive of each state or insular territory, not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the state.-Role and powers:...
of Utah, a two-time Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award recipient, and a Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
professor. They usually leave in July, though some leave at different times due to emergencies or medical conditions.
Candidates are typically interviewed after the autumn conference of the LDS Church
General Conference (LDS Church)
General Conference is a semiannual world conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in April and October, where members gather in a series of two-hour sessions to listen to instruction from Church leaders...
by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Administrative responsibilities
Mission presidents supervise a group of approximately 60-200 missionaries and direct their missionary labors. Missionaries are typically between the ages of 19-25, but can also include senior-aged couples.Mission presidents are usually assisted by two counselors who reside within the mission boundaries; the three men together constitute the mission presidency and are each given the honorific
Honorific
An honorific is a word or expression with connotations conveying esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term is used not quite correctly to refer to an honorary title...
title "President"
President (LDS Church honorific)
President is an honorific title in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is given to certain men who hold priesthood leadership positions.- General leaders :...
. The counselors serve in the mission presidency for varying periods of time while maintaining their regular employment. The responsibilities of the counselors are generally oriented towards the members of the church within the mission.
Mission presidents are also assisted by two or more full-time missionaries under the title of "assistant to the president", whose duties are primarily directed toward supervision of the missionary work under the direction of the mission president. These assistants lead an independent hierarchy that may or may not correspond with local church units. The role of a mission president's wife varies depending on the age of her children and her background.
Spiritual responsibilities
Where there are no stakes in the mission boundaries, the mission president is the presiding authority over the church within the mission. In that instance, the mission is divided into districtDistrict (LDS Church)
A district of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative unit composed of a number of congregations called branches. A district is a subdivision of a mission of the church and in many ways is analogous to a stake of the church. The leader of a district is the...
s which are composed of branches.
Mission presidents are typically respected and admired by the missionaries they supervise. Obedience to the mission president is considered a vital part of missionary work.
Post-mission life
After his three-year term ends, a mission president generally returns to his vocation and activity in his home ward and stake. Many general authoritiesGeneral authority
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a general authority is a member of certain leadership organizations who are given administrative and ecclesiastical authority over the church...
of the church have previously served as mission presidents, but it is not necessary for a person to have been a mission president to become a general authority.