List of presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This article lists the presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Each of the included persons has served as president and been considered the prophet, seer, and revelator of the LDS Church.


No.	Portrait	President of the Church	Birth	Ordination	Death	Length
1		Joseph Smith	December 23, 1805	April 6, 1830(1830-04-06) (aged 24) (de facto)^[1] January 25, 1832(1832-01-25) (aged 26) (de jure)^[2]	June 27, 1844(1844-06-27) (aged 38)	14 years, 2 months (de facto) 12 years, 5 months (de jure)
	Church led by Brigham Young as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					3 years, 6 months
2		Brigham Young	June 1, 1801	December 27, 1847(1847-12-27) (aged 46)	August 29, 1877(1877-08-29) (aged 76)	29 years, 8 months
	Church led by John Taylor as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					3 years, 1 month
3		John Taylor	November 1, 1808	October 10, 1880(1880-10-10) (aged 71)	July 25, 1887(1887-07-25) (aged 78)	6 years, 9 months
	Church led by Wilford Woodruff as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					1 year, 8 months
4		Wilford Woodruff	March 1, 1807	April 7, 1889(1889-04-07) (aged 82)	September 2, 1898(1898-09-02) (aged 91)	9 years, 4 months
	Church led by Lorenzo Snow as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					11 days
5		Lorenzo Snow	April 3, 1814	September 13, 1898(1898-09-13) (aged 84)	October 10, 1901(1901-10-10) (aged 87)	3 years, 1 month
	Church led by Joseph F. Smith as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					7 days
6		Joseph F. Smith	November 13, 1838	October 17, 1901(1901-10-17) (aged 62)	November 19, 1918(1918-11-19) (aged 80)	17 years, 1 month
	Church led by Heber J. Grant as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					4 days
7		Heber J. Grant	November 22, 1856	November 23, 1918(1918-11-23) (aged 62)	May 14, 1945(1945-05-14) (aged 88)	26 years, 5 months
	Church led by George Albert Smith as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					7 days
8		George Albert Smith	April 4, 1870	May 21, 1945(1945-05-21) (aged 75)	April 4, 1951(1951-04-04) (aged 81)	5 years, 10 months
	Church led by David O. McKay as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					5 days
9		David O. McKay	September 8, 1873	April 9, 1951(1951-04-09) (aged 77)	January 18, 1970(1970-01-18) (aged 96)	18 years, 9 months
	Church led by Joseph Fielding Smith as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					5 days
10		Joseph Fielding Smith	July 19, 1876	January 23, 1970(1970-01-23) (aged 93)	July 2, 1972(1972-07-02) (aged 95)	2 years, 5 months
	Church led by Harold B. Lee as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					5 days
11		Harold B. Lee	March 28, 1899	July 7, 1972(1972-07-07) (aged 73)	December 26, 1973(1973-12-26) (aged 74)	1 year, 5 months
	Church led by Spencer W. Kimball as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					4 days
12		Spencer W. Kimball	March 28, 1895	December 30, 1973(1973-12-30) (aged 78)	November 5, 1985(1985-11-05) (aged 90)	11 years, 10 months
	Church led by Ezra Taft Benson as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					5 days
13		Ezra Taft Benson	August 4, 1899	November 10, 1985(1985-11-10) (aged 86)	May 30, 1994(1994-05-30) (aged 94)	8 years, 6 months
	Church led by Howard W. Hunter as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					6 days
14		Howard W. Hunter	November 14, 1907	June 5, 1994(1994-06-05) (aged 86)	March 3, 1995(1995-03-03) (aged 87)	9 months
	Church led by Gordon B. Hinckley as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					9 days
15		Gordon B. Hinckley	June 23, 1910	March 12, 1995(1995-03-12) (aged 84)^[3]	January 27, 2008(2008-01-27) (aged 97)^[4]	12 years, 10 months
	Church led by Thomas S. Monson as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.^[5]					6 days
16		Thomas S. Monson	August 21, 1927	February 3, 2008(2008-02-03) (aged 80)^[6]^[7]	January 2, 2018(2018-01-02) (aged 90)^[8]	9 years, 11 months
	Church led by Russell M. Nelson as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.^[9]					12 days
17		Russell M. Nelson	September 9, 1924	January 14, 2018(2018-01-14) (aged 93)^[10]	September 27, 2025(2025-09-27) (aged 101)^[11]	7 years, 8 months
	Church led by Dallin H. Oaks as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.					17 days
18		Dallin H. Oaks	August 12, 1932	October 14, 2025(2025-10-14) (aged 93)^[12]	Living; 94 years, 1 month	Current; 11 months

Timeline

Notes

↑ Smith became the "First Elder" of the church upon its organization. In this position, Smith acted as the highest leader of the church. However, the office of President of the Church was not formally created until 1832.
↑ Smith was officially sustained as President of the High Priesthood of the church on this day at a general conference in Amherst, Ohio: Joseph Smith (B. H. Roberts (ed.), History of the Church 1:242–44.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 2, 2008). "Leader Biographies - President Gordon B. Hinckley". Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 27, 2008). "Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, Dies at 97". Archived from the original on January 29, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 2, 2008). "Millions Pay Tribute to President Hinckley, 'Giant Among Men'". Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 4, 2008). "Thomas S. Monson Named 16th Church President". Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 12, 2008). "Leader Biographies - President Thomas S. Monson". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 2, 2018). "President Thomas S. Monson Dies at Age 90". Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 12, 2018). "President Monson Honored for Legacy of Love, Service". Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 16, 2018). "Russell M. Nelson Named 17th Church President". Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (September 27, 2025). "Remembering the Life of President Russell M. Nelson". Archived from the original on September 28, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (October 14, 2025). "Dallin H. Oaks Named 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.

References

"Presidents of the Church". LDS Church. Archived from the original on 2004-07-05. Retrieved 2009-05-07.

[1] Smith became the "First Elder" of the church upon its organization. In this position, Smith acted as the highest leader of the church. However, the office of President of the Church was not formally created until 1832.

[2] Smith was officially sustained as President of the High Priesthood of the church on this day at a general conference in Amherst, Ohio: Joseph Smith (B. H. Roberts (ed.), History of the Church 1:242–44.

[GBH_2008_Newsroom_15PresBio-3] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 2, 2008). "Leader Biographies - President Gordon B. Hinckley". Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[GBH_2008_Newsroom_Death-4] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 27, 2008). "Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, Dies at 97". Archived from the original on January 29, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[TSM_2008_Newsroom_Q12Pres-5] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 2, 2008). "Millions Pay Tribute to President Hinckley, 'Giant Among Men'". Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[TSM_2008_Newsroom_16Pres-6] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 4, 2008). "Thomas S. Monson Named 16th Church President". Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[TSM_2008_Newsroom_16PresBio-7] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (February 12, 2008). "Leader Biographies - President Thomas S. Monson". Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[TSM_2018_Newsroom_Death-8] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 2, 2018). "President Thomas S. Monson Dies at Age 90". Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[RMN_2018_Newsroom_Q12Pres-9] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 12, 2018). "President Monson Honored for Legacy of Love, Service". Archived from the original on January 13, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[RMN_2018_Newsroom_17Pres-10] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (January 16, 2018). "Russell M. Nelson Named 17th Church President". Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[RMN_2025_Newsroom_Death-11] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (September 27, 2025). "Remembering the Life of President Russell M. Nelson". Archived from the original on September 28, 2025. Retrieved October 5, 2025.

[DHO_2025_Newsroom_18Pres-12] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (October 14, 2025). "Dallin H. Oaks Named 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.

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v t e Members of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Current First Presidency	Dallin H. Oaks (President) · Henry B. Eyring (First Counselor) · D. Todd Christofferson (Second Counselor)
Presidents of the Church	J. Smith Jr. (1830–44) B. Young Sr. (1847–77) Taylor (1880–87) Woodruff (1889–98) Snow (1898–1901) J.F. Smith Sr. (1901–18) Grant (1918–45) G.A. Smith (1945–51) McKay (1951–70) J.F. Smith Jr. (1970–72) Lee (1972–73) Kimball (1973–85) Benson (1985–94) Hunter (1994–95) Hinckley (1995–2008) Monson (2008–18) Nelson (2018–25) Oaks (2025–present)
First Counselors	Gause (1832) Rigdon (1832–44) Kimball (1847–68) G.A. Smith (1868–75) J.W. Young (1876–77) Cannon (1880–1901) J.F. Smith Sr. (1901) Winder (1901–10) Lund (1910–21) Penrose (1921–25) Ivins (1925–34) Clark (1934–51; 1959–61) S.L. Richards (1951–59) Moyle (1961–63) Brown (1963–70) Lee (1970–72) Tanner (1972–82) Romney (1982–85) Hinckley (1985–95) Monson (1995–2008) Eyring (2008–18) Oaks (2018–25) Eyring (2025–present)
Second Counselors	Rigdon (1832) Williams (1833–37) H. Smith (1837–41) Law (1841–44) W. Richards (1847–54) Grant (1854–56) Wells (1857–77) J.F. Smith Sr. (1880–1901) Clawson (1901) Lund (1901–10) J.H. Smith (1910–11) Penrose (1911–21) Ivins (1921–25) Nibley (1925–31) Clark (1933–34) McKay (1934–51) Clark (1951–59) Moyle (1959–61) Brown (1961–63) Tanner (1963–72) Romney (1972–82) Hinckley (1982–85) Monson (1985–95) Faust (1995–2007) Eyring (2007–08) Uchtdorf (2008–18) Eyring (2018–25) Christofferson (2025–present)

v t e The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
History	1838 Mormon War 1890 Manifesto Anthon Transcript Brigham Young Church of Christ First Vision Good Neighbor policy Handcart companies Historic sites Joseph Smith death succession crisis LGBTQ Mormon timeline Mormon Battalion Name of the church Pioneers Relief Society Utah War Violence
Sacred texts	Holy Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great Price Book of Moses Book of Abraham Joseph Smith–Matthew Joseph Smith–History Articles of Faith
Beliefs and practices	Apostasy and restoration Calling Cosmology Adam and Eve Evolution Plan of salvation Degrees of glory Exaltation Premortal life Family Home Evening Fast Sunday For the Strength of Youth Gender "Family Proclamation" Transgender people God in Mormonism Heavenly Mother Ministering Marriage Celestial Interracial Polygamy Ordinances Baptism for the dead Marriage sealing Second anointing Temple endowment Temple garment Priesthood Race Black people Black Mormons Black temple and priesthood restrictions Curses of Cain and Ham Latino Mormons Native Americans Pacific Islanders Slavery Revelation Reformed Egyptian Sexuality Birth control Homosexuality Sexual orientation change efforts Masturbation Soaking Spectrums of belief and practice Succession in the Presidency Suicide Tithing Word of wisdom
Culture and worship	Cultural depictions Especially for Youth Family Services Feminism Films List Foodways General Conference Helping Hands Humanitarian services Hymns Book Latter-day Saints Channel Liahona Missionary service Mormons Music Pageants Pioneer Day Tabernacles Tabernacle Choir Temples List Worship services Sacrament
Leadership	President Dallin H. Oaks list First Presidency Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Quorums of the Seventy Presiding Bishop Relief Society Sunday School Young Women Young Men Primary
Demographics	Membership history Statistics by country Mormon corridor Less-active Mormon Ex-Mormon LGBTQ Mormons and organizations
Organization	Congregational Area District Stake Ward Statistics Church Educational System BYU BYU–Idaho BYU–Hawaii BYU–Pathway Worldwide Ensign College Deseret Management Deseret Book Deseret Industries Deseret Media Temple Square Hospitality Deseret News Bonneville International Beneficial Financial FamilySearch RootsTech Philanthropies Finances Ensign Peak Advisors Perpetual Emigration Fund Perpetual Education Fund Utah Property Management AgReserves Deseret Ranches
Criticism	2023 SEC case Anti-Mormonism Book of Abraham Book of Mormon Geographical setting Historical authenticity Linguistics Origin Fawn M. Brodie No Man Knows My History Christian Research Institute Ed Decker The God Makers John Dehlin Mormon Stories podcast Jeremy Runnells CES Letter Kinderhook plates Salamander letter September Six Jerald and Sandra Tanner Truth & Transparency Foundation
Related	Bloggernacle ComeUntoChrist.org Book of Mormon translations Joseph Smith Translation Joseph Smith Papers Dialogue FAIR organization FARMS organization I'm a Mormon campaign LGBTQ Mormon suicides Mormon fundamentalism Mormon History Association Mormon studies Mormonism and Nicene Christianity Relationship with U.S. politics LGBTQ rights Senkyoshigo Sunstone Joseph Smith Papyri Eyewitnesses Kirtland Egyptian papers Giving Machine Isaiah in the Book of Mormon
Category Latter Day Saint Movement Outline

Timeline

See also

Notes

References