President Russell M. Nelson announced significant changes to the structure of priesthood quorums in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, inspiring a number of reactions from people on Twitter.

As LDS Church News explained, “High priests and elders will now be combined into one elders quorum in each ward.”

President Nelson announced the change during the priesthood session of the 188th Annual General Conference for the LDS Church.

“Tonight, we announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively,” he said, according to the LDS Church News. “In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum. This adjustment will greatly enhance the capacity and ability of men who bear the priesthood to serve others.”

The move — which you can read about, in full, here — inspired a number of reactions from people across Twitter. Read more below. </s> President Russell M. Nelson announced significant changes to the structure of LDS Church priesthood quorums Saturday evening, March 31 — capping a day already defined by historic callings to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

High priests and elders will now be combined into one elders quorum in each ward, announced President Nelson during his introductory remarks at the evening priesthood session of the 188th Annual General Conference.

“Tonight, we announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively,” he said. “In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum. This adjustment will greatly enhance the capacity and ability of men who bear the priesthood to serve others.”

Prospective elders will be welcome in and fellowshipped by that quorum.

In each stake, he added, the stake presidency will continue to preside over the stake high priests quorum — “but the composition of that quorum will be based on current priesthood callings,” including high priests serving in the stake presidency, in bishoprics, in the stake presidency, on the high council, or as functioning patriarchs.

President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency, called the modification “a revelatory announcement from President Russell M. Nelson.”

President Nelson’s second counselor in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring, said the announcement is an inspired step forward in the Lord’s organized plan for His Church.

“That plan includes a new structure for priesthood quorums in wards and stakes so that we may better fulfill our priesthood responsibilities. Those responsibilities all have to do with our priesthood care of our Father’s children,” he said.

In his talk following President Nelson’s introductory remarks, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered additional details on the quorum changes.

The stake presidency will release current high priests group leaderships and elders quorum presidencies and will call a new elders quorum president and counselors in each ward or branch, he said.

The new elders quorum presidency may include elders and high priests — and either an elder or a high priest may serve as the quorum president or as counselor in the presidency.

“We expect elders and high priests to work together in any combination in the quorum presidency and in quorum service,” added Elder Christofferson. “These quorum adjustments should be implemented as soon as conveniently possible.”

The adjustment in quorum structure will not change the individual priesthood office held by quorum members.

“Elders will continue to be ordained high priests when they are called to a stake presidency, high council, or bishopric — or at other times as determined by the stake president through prayerful consideration and inspiration,” he added. “When their terms of service in a stake presidency, high council, or bishopric are completed, high priests will rejoin the elders quorum in their ward.”

Elder Christofferson echoed President Nelson’s statement that the modifications will allow for greater service, personal development and brotherhood. “It also allows quorum members of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from the perspective and experience of one another and of those in different stages of life.”

The modifications to the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums have been under study for “many months,” said President Nelson.

“We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members and report our contacts with them,” he said. “To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for His Saints.”

The adjustments, he declared, are inspired of the Lord. “As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have ever been previously.”

In his priesthood session talk, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said he expects the adjustments to Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to unify the “mighty army” of brethren.

“These adjustments will help elders quorums and Relief Societies harmonize their work,” he said. “They will also simplify the quorum’s coordination with the bishopric and ward council. And they allow the bishop to delegate more responsibilities to the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents so the bishop and his counselors can focus on their primary duties — particularly presiding over the young women and the young men who bear the Aaronic Priesthood.”

Elder Rasband also offered additional information on the stake high priests quorums that will continue to function under the direction of stake presidencies. The quorum will now consist of high priests currently serving in the stake presidency, ward bishoprics, stake high councils and the functioning patriarch. Ward and stake clerks and executive secretaries are not members of the stake high priests quorum.

Speaking to the high priests, Elder Rasband said they continue to play an essential role in the work. They may be presided over by an elder as their quorum president, which is already happening in branches in some regions of the world.

“What a joy it will be for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders to have the blessing of teaching, learning and serving shoulder-to-shoulder with all the members in their ward,” he said. “Wherever you are and whatever your circumstances may be, we invite you prayerfully, faithfully, and joyfully to accept new opportunities to lead or be led and to serve unitedly as a body of priesthood brethren.” </s> SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Saturday they will discontinue high priests groups and combine elders and high priests in each congregation into one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum.

According to tweets from the LDS Church’s verified Twitter account, LDS leaders made the announcement during Saturday’s Priesthood Session of the LDS Church’s semi-annual General Conference.

“Tonight, we announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively,” President Russell M. Nelson stated, according to the tweets. “In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum.”

Further tweets state that members of elders quorums and high priests groups will be combined into one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum with one presidency.

“This quorum, increased in numbers and unity, will be designated the ‘elders quorum.’ High priests groups are discontinued,” the tweets state.

According to the LDS Church, their priesthood “…is divided into two levels or orders — the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. Elder and high priest are two of the ordained priesthood offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood.”

The LDS Church states that this move does not rescind any priesthood office a member has been previously ordained to, and elders will continue to be ordained high priests “when they are called to a stake presidency, high council, or bishopric—or at other times as determined by the stake president through prayerful consideration and inspiration.”

President Nelson said the move will strengthen priesthood quorums.

“We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members,” he said. “To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for His Saints. These adjustments are inspired of the Lord. As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have been previously.”

Those called to stake presidencies, high councils or bishoprics will rejoin the elders quorum in their ward when their terms of service end.

A press release states the quorum adjustments will be made by local leaders “as soon as conveniently possible.”

Fox 13 News will update this story as more details emerge. </s> High priests and elders will now be combined into one elders quorum in each ward, announced President Russell M. Nelson in his introductory remarks at the priesthood session of the 188th Annual General Conference on March 31.

“Tonight, we announce a significant restructuring of our Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively,” he said. “In each ward, the high priests and the elders will now be combined into one elders quorum. This adjustment will greatly enhance the capacity and ability of men who bear the priesthood to serve others.”

Prospective elders will be welcomed in and fellowshipped by that quorum.

In each stake, he added, the stake presidency will continue to preside over the stake high priests quorum — “but the composition of that quorum will be based on current priesthood callings.”

President Nelson then noted Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would share additional details on the modifications in subsequent priesthood sessions talks.

The modifications have been under study for “many months,” he said.

“We have felt a pressing need to improve the way we care for our members and report our contacts with them,” he said. “To do that better, we need to strengthen our priesthood quorums to give greater direction to the ministering of love and support that the Lord intends for His Saints.”

The adjustments, he declared, are inspired of the Lord. “As we implement them, we will be even more effective than we have ever been previously.”

Prior to making the priesthood quorums announcement, President Nelson said, “we deeply miss” President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Robert D. Hales, who both died in recent months.

He spoke of his gratitude for each man “who bears the holy priesthood.”

“You are the hope of our Redeemer who desires ‘that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.’ He wants all of His ordained sons to represent Him, to speak for Him, to act for Him, and bless the lives of God’s children throughout the world to the end that faith also might increase in [all] the earth’.”

Every member of a priesthood quorum, he added, has “a divine mandate to learn and to teach; to love and to serve others.” </s> In his priesthood session talk on March 31, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered further instructions on the modifications to Melchizedek Priesthood quorums announced moments earlier by President Russell M. Nelson.

After briefly discussing historical patterns of “significant refinements” to the priesthood organization dating back to Joseph Smith, Elder Christofferson detailed the adjustments for ward high priest groups and elder quorums.

“Members of elders quorums and high priests groups will now be combined into one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum with one quorum presidency. This quorum, increased in numbers and unity, will be designated the ‘elders quorum.’

“High priests groups are discontinued. The elders quorum includes all elders and prospective elders in the ward as well as high priests who are not currently serving in the bishopric, in the stake presidency, on the high council, or as functioning patriarchs.

“The high priests quorum in the stake will be composed of those high priests who are serving in the stake presidency, in bishoprics, on the high council, and as functioning patriarchs.”

So how is the presidency of the elders quorum to be organized?

The stake presidency will release current high priests group leaderships and elders quorum presidencies and will call a new elders quorum president and counselors in each ward, he said.

The new elders quorum presidency may include elders and high priests — and either an elder or a high priest may serve as the quorum president or a counselor in the presidency.

“We expect elders and high priests to work together in any combination in the quorum presidency and in quorum service,” he said. “These quorum adjustments should be implemented as soon as conveniently possible.”

Does the adjustment in quorum structure change the priesthood office held by quorum members?

No, the action does not rescind any priesthood offices to which any quorum member may have been ordained in the past, Elder Christofferson said.

“Elders will continue to be ordained high priests when they are called to a stake presidency, high council, or bishopric — or at other times as determined by the stake president through prayerful consideration and inspiration,” he added. “When their terms of service in a stake presidency, high council, or bishopric are completed, high priests will rejoin the elders quorum in their ward.”

So, who directs the work of the elders quorum president?

“The stake president presides over the Melchizedek Priesthood in his stake,” he said. “Therefore, the elders quorum president is directly responsible to the stake president, who provides training and guidance from the stake presidency and through the high council.”

The bishop, as the presiding high priest in the ward, also meets regularly with the elders quorum president, offering counsel and direction on how to best serve ward members.

The purpose of these changes

Having one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum in the ward unifies priesthood holders to accomplish all aspects of the work of salvation, including the temple and family history work previously coordinated by the high priests groups, explained Elder Christofferson.

“It also allow quorum members of all ages and backgrounds to benefit from the perspective and experience of one another and of those in different stages of life.”

The adjustments were considered by the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Presidency of the Seventy over an extended period of time.

“With much prayer, careful study of the scriptural foundations of priesthood quorums, and confirmation that this is the Lord’s will, we are moving forward with unanimity in what is in reality one more step in the unfolding of the Restoration.” </s> SALT LAKE CITY – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is announcing its new leadership Tuesday morning.

The church said President Russell M. Nelson will address members and the public at 9 a.m.

Throughout church history, the most senior apostle has become the next president, which would be President Nelson.

Click here to watch live starting at 9 a.m. </s> A 93-year-old former heart surgeon with three decades of experience with the Mormon church's top leadership panel has been officially named the faith's president.

 

High-ranking Mormon D. Todd Christofferson announced the selection of Russell M. Nelson as president Tuesday in an address from Salt Lake City that broadcast to Mormons around the world.

 

Nelson's selection follows a longstanding succession plan that makes the longest-tenured member of the faith's Quorum the next church's president.

 

Nelson becomes the 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Utah-based faith counts nearly 16 million members worldwide.

 

He succeeds Thomas S. Monson, who died Jan. 2.

 

The faith's presidents are considered prophets who lead the church through revelations from God in collaboration with two top counselors and members of the Quorum. </s> President Russell M. Nelson was announced as the 17th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. The announcement was made by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a live broadcast from the annex of the iconic Salt Lake Temple. He was sustained and set apart in the Salt Lake Temple on Sunday, January 14, 2018.

 President Nelson, 93, succeeds President Thomas S. Monson, who passed away January 2, 2018.

 The new leader of a global faith of more than 16 million members has named President Dallin H. Oaks, 85, and President Henry B. Eyring, 84, to serve with him as his first and second counselors in the First Presidency, the Church’s highest governing body.

 President Nelson also announced that M. Russell Ballard, 89, is the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Russell M. Nelson

 Prior to his service as head of the Church, President Nelson served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since April 7, 1984. He was president of that quorum from July 15, 2015, until his call as the Church’s leader.

 An internationally renowned surgeon and medical researcher, President Nelson’s professional work included the positions of research professor of surgery and director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency at the University of Utah and chairman of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.

President Dallin H. Oaks

 President Dallin H. Oaks has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since May 1984. He was president of Brigham Young University from 1971 to 1980, and a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1980 until his resignation in 1984 to accept his calling to the apostleship.

President Henry B. Eyring

 President Henry B. Eyring served as a counselor to President Thomas S. Monson from 2008 to 2018 and to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 2007 to 2008. He was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 1, 1995. Prior to full-time Church service, President Eyring was president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, from 1971 to 1977. He was on the faculty at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University from 1962 to 1971.

Acting President M. Russell Ballard

 Acting President M. Russell Ballard has served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve since October 6, 1985. In 1976 he was called as a General Authority Seventy. Prior to his call as a full-time Church leader, President Ballard had interests in automotive, real estate and investment businesses. Read more about M. Russell Ballard. </s> Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The Mormon Church appointed 93-year-old former surgeon Russell M. Nelson as its new president Tuesday.

Nelson, a member of the Mormon Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke during a live stream as it was announced he will replace former President Thomas S. Monson, who died earlier this month.

"Two days ago, my brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles laid hands upon my hands, ordained me, set me apart as president of the church. It was a sacred and humbling experience," Nelson said. "We live in the most vibrant era in the history of the world."

Nelson is the second-oldest apostle in Mormon history to be named president and the first physician to lead the church.

He is expected to continue in the leadership tradition of Monson, including abiding by a 2015 policy that forbids the children of same-sex couples from participating in religious rites until they are 18.

A number of members left the church in response to the policy, along with many millennials and other young people.

Nelson also addressed the lack of inclusivity and diversity in the church's leadership stating "we are white and we are American," while adding he believes other races and ethnicities may serve in leadership roles in the future.

"The Twelve and the Seventy are not a representative assembly of any kind [but they are called by the Lord,]" he said. "I think we will live to see the day when there will be other flavors in the mix ... but we respond because we've been called by the Lord. Not one of us asked to be here."

He also discussed the role of women in the church and the all-male priesthood that prohibits women from holding governing offices.

"We have women in our councils, women administering ordinances in the temples," he said. "We depend on their voices."

Nelson named two other church leaders, 85-year-old Dallin H. Oaks and 84-year-old Henry B. Eyring, to serve as his counselors.

"We will work hand in hand to perceive the will of the Lord and move his sacred work forward," said Nelson.
LDS President Russell M. Nelson announces that High Priests Quorum will be merged into Elders Quorum.