can somebody explain to me....

[singlemamad]

Who the quorum 12 apostles are, what a Bishop is, what is the Presidents role? How is that decided? Do they serve terms, or a certain amount of time? What is seminary? Do all kids do seminary? At sacrament, who are all the other men who sit up there? Behind the bishop?

Any other leader types or roles I am not aware of?

As an investigator I am just trying to figure these out and I don't want to bother my poor missionaries with my sill questions haha!

Thank you!

[Lakumi]

Who the quorum 12 apostles are, what a Bishop is, what is the Presidents role? How is that decided? Do they serve terms, or a certain amount of time? What is seminary? Do all kids do seminary? At sacrament, who are all the other men who sit up there? Behind the bishop?

Any other leader types or roles I am not aware of?

As an investigator I am just trying to figure these out and I don't want to bother my poor missionaries with my sill questions haha!

Thank you!

I asked them far stranger, I can assure you.

They must of thought me an enigma

[singlemamad]

Oh yes....I have asked them plenty....I just feel like I'm always wasting time with my mantre of questions lol! I'm happy this forum is here...it answers questions I haven't even asked yet!

[Lakumi]

Oh yes....I have asked them plenty....I just feel like I'm always wasting time with my mantre of questions lol! I'm happy this forum is here...it answers questions I haven't even asked yet!

well you can always ask the online ones, they always got the brunt of my more, odd questions lol

[singlemamad]

That's who I talk to are the ones on Facebook......it does make it easier to ask questions lol! Funny thing is, the moment I was typing my reply my chat head for facebook popped up and it was them reminding me we were talking tonight.....I wonder if their ears were ringing?!!

[pam]

We're always happy to answer questions here.

[Lakumi]

That's who I talk to are the ones on Facebook......it does make it easier to ask questions lol! Funny thing is, the moment I was typing my reply my chat head for facebook popped up and it was them reminding me we were talking tonight.....I wonder if their ears were ringing?!!

I woudn't want to scare the missionaries so I didn't give them my facebook (long story short, its for a little doll who routinely "says" mean things and brandishes a little knife at other toys-like my little ponies)

its part of a BJD roleplaying, something I don't think any missionary should have to tango with on their mission:lol:

[estradling75]

Who the quorum 12 apostles are, what a Bishop is, what is the Presidents role? How is that decided? Do they serve terms, or a certain amount of time? What is seminary? Do all kids do seminary? At sacrament, who are all the other men who sit up there? Behind the bishop?

Any other leader types or roles I am not aware of?

As an investigator I am just trying to figure these out and I don't want to bother my poor missionaries with my sill questions haha!

Thank you!

Most of your answers are found in the 5th Article of Faith

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

The Quorum of the 12 apostles are the leading body of the church. They are second only to the First Presidency. (Made up of the Current Prophet and his councilors) When the current Prophet died they choose the next one. (Which has always been the Senior most apostle)

Bishop is the leader of the Local congregation (Ward). He is called (per Article of faith number 5) and serves for a period of time (Generally about 5 year although there is lot of variation)

President... Depend on what they are the President of but it generally a leader of a group that is called for a period of time (like a Bishop).

Seminary is religious instruction that runs during the High School Years.. All kids are highly encouraged to attend seminary.

In sacrament the bishop should be on the stand with his 2 councilors. Other people on the stand could be the speakers, the music people, the ones blessing the sacrament and members of the Stake Leadership (Wards are gathered together in Stakes)

Other Leadership you will most likely encounter... The Relief Society President (Under the bishop but over all the women in the ward) Primary President (Over the children under 12) The Young Men and Young Women presidents (over kids over 11 but less then 18) The Elder Quorum president and High Priest Group leader (Under the bishop but over the men in the ward)

This of course is very simplified so ask more questions if you want more details

Edited February 6, 2014 by estradling75

[singlemamad]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your explanation! I kind of understand the leadership roles from an outside point of being raised Catholic, but just was curious what they did exactly!

And I remember in a different post u told me about ur dolls and even shared some pictures...very imaginative! So far so good with my Facebook haha, luckily something's can be kept private and at this time there are things I chose to do that with, but in the meantime they have a sense of humor and haven't condemned me yet for my Facebook, so I think I'm good so far!

[mnn727]

This may help you Mormon Newsroom - YouTube There are a number of videos explaining the Church, how it works and what we believe there.

A Bishop is the local Church leader that leads the congregation. He is one of the members of the Ward (congregation) that is chosen by revelation, he serves usually for around 5 years along with his two counselors, an executive secretary and a clerk.

Usually on the stand during Church you will see the Bishop and his two counselors, the chorister and organist, anyone who is speaking that Sunday and the 2 or 3 men that will bless the Sacrament. In some wards the Ward Clerk or the Executive Secretary will sit up there also, but that's not required.

Occasionally you will have visitors that sit up there also, the Stake President for example or a visiting General Authority.

The Quorum of the 12 are Apostles as is the First Presidency. They are the leaders of the worldwide Church.

Seminary is a daily religious class many LDS High school students go to. In Utah some do it during school hours, outside of Utah its an early morning class. No not all go to it

Don't be afraid to ask your missionaries. They're happy to answer.

[Lakumi]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your explanation! I kind of understand the leadership roles from an outside point of being raised Catholic, but just was curious what they did exactly!

And I remember in a different post u told me about ur dolls and even shared some pictures...very imaginative! So far so good with my Facebook haha, luckily something's can be kept private and at this time there are things I chose to do that with, but in the meantime they have a sense of humor and haven't condemned me yet for my Facebook, so I think I'm good so far!

it's something all right lol

the stories I've written for them are even stranger, if that's possible

[Blackmarch]

Who the quorum 12 apostles are, what a Bishop is, what is the Presidents role? How is that decided? Do they serve terms, or a certain amount of time? What is seminary? Do all kids do seminary? At sacrament, who are all the other men who sit up there? Behind the bishop?

Any other leader types or roles I am not aware of?

As an investigator I am just trying to figure these out and I don't want to bother my poor missionaries with my sill questions haha!

Thank you!

The Head of the church is the President, he is the head Prophet, his duty is guide and protect the church in whatever direction that God would reveal and inspire him to. He is also the head of the 12 apostles, who are also considered to be head spiritual leaders and is the next in line after the prophet in authority. Prophets serve in the position until they die, apostles also, or until an apostle removes himself from the church.

In the authority that the apostles have been given to them, part of it is the authorization to make one of them the head apostle who becomes the president. Currrently the order of deciding who becomes the head is decided by seniority, however all the apostles must receive spiritual confirmation that that individual is to become the president.

These men are called to their position by those in authority and this transferal is administered by blessing and by what is known as the laying on of hands ( a rite that is performed during the blessing by the one who has authority by laying his hands upon the head of the one who is receiving it). They choose whoever is revealed or inspired to them. The first time this happened was when Christ gave his apostles his authority in that manner, and since then that is how the authority has been transferred.

And this pattern is followed pretty much throughout the structure of the church. Altho for lower levels in the church its leaders are called by leaders from the level above.

Prophet>Apostles>Quorum(s) of the Seventies> Area authorities > stake presidents> Bishops and Branch presidents> Various priesthood offices within a ward, as well as other leaders that leaders receive inspiration and revelation on calling.

-------

Seminary is a doctrine school that covers doctrine, history, and other things that are seen as helpful in regards to the education of members of the church. While it is a program that is organized by the church it isn't part of the main church organization, nor is it part of the official gatherings of the church for spiritual needs. (But it can definitely be spiritual). It's not necessary to attend, but advisable to do so. Some attend it and some don't. I've certainly enjoyed the seminary classes that I've had in the past.

---------

Generally the other men who sit behind or by the Bishop are generally leaders from higher up in the hierarchy, as well as individuals who've been asked to participate in sacrament meeting in some way.

Hope that helps a little.

[Dravin]

If you're curious about the who of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve (as opposed to simply the what) you can find short bios here: General Authorities

[Vort]

Who the quorum 12 apostles are, what a Bishop is, what is the Presidents role? How is that decided? Do they serve terms, or a certain amount of time? What is seminary? Do all kids do seminary? At sacrament, who are all the other men who sit up there? Behind the bishop?

Any other leader types or roles I am not aware of?

As an investigator I am just trying to figure these out and I don't want to bother my poor missionaries with my sill questions haha!

Thank you!

Estradling's comments were good. Let me try to add a second perspective.

Quorum of Twelve Apostles: Men chosen to bear special witness of Jesus Christ. There are generally twelve of them in the quorum. They are the second-highest body of leadership in the Church; the only higher leadership body is the First Presidency, composed of three men chosen (usually) from the Quorum of Twelve. All men in the First Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve hold the Priesthood office of "apostle"; the apostle with the most seniority is always the President of the First Presidency, and thus of the Church. Currently, that is Thomas S. Monson. If he were to die today, Boyd K. Packer would be the senior apostle and would lead the Church.

Bishop: The bishop is the president of the ward (the local congregation). Like almost all presidents in the Church, he calls two counselors to help him. Those three men, the bishop and his two counselors, make up the ward's top-level leadership, called the "bishopric".

(The bishop is also the president of the Aaronic Priesthood priests quorum and of the ward's whole Aaronic Priesthood membership, which are the young men in the ward. In fact, this is where the term "bishop" comes from: The "bishop" is the president of the preists quorum and of the Aaronic Priesthood. This is why we call him "bishop" instead of "President".)

President: This is the most common title in the Church, except for "Sister" and "Brother". The president of a Church organization is the man or woman called to lead that organization, and is usually selected from within that organization.

In the ward, the young women's classes, the Aaronic Priesthood quorums (deacons, teachers, priests), the elders quorum, the Relief Society, the Primary, the Young Men's organization, the Young Women's organization, the Sunday School, and the ward as a whole each have a president. Hope I didn't forget anyone. Each of these leaders is called "president" (except for the ward president/priests quorum president, who is called "bishop", as previously noted). There are more presidents at the stake level, and in temples and missions and so forth, all the way to the First Presidency.

In most cases, the president calls two others in the organization to assist him/her in presiding. These three people make up the "presidency" of that organization. (Again, the exception is the bishop and his counselors, who are called the "bishopric". But it's basically the ward presidency.)

Who calls bishops and other leaders? Bishops are called by the First Presidency, under advice given by the local stake president. Elders quorum presidents and stake-level auxiliary presidents are called by the stake presidency. Ward-level presidents are called by the bishopric.

Lengths of terms of service: Presidents, and really all who are called to a position, serve for the length of time their presiding officer who called them wants them to serve. Some positions have standard lengths of service: For example:

• Missionaries are called to serve for a specified period (two years for young men, eighteen months for young women, three years for mission presidents).
  
• Bishops typically serve for about five years.
  
• Stake presidencies typically serve for around ten years.
  
• Members of the Second Quorum of Seventy and auxiliary General Presidencies (General Sunday School, General Relief Society, etc.) are typically called to serve for three years.
  

Most General Authorities are expected to spend the rest of their lives working in their callings.

Who are all those people sitting on the stand during sacrament meeting? The bishop is up there with his counselors. If a member of the stake high council is present, he will usually sit up there, too. Sometimes a stake presidency member (the stake president or one of his counselors) will be in attendance; if so, they sit up there. Special visiting authorities, such as temple presidents, mission president, or on rare occasion even General Authorities, will sit up with the other leadership.

In addition, the people offering talks that day (youth and adults) will usually sit on the stand, as do the ward chorister and organist/pianist. The priests officiating over the sacrament will sit behind the sacrament table, which is typically near the podium where the bishopric and others sit. In many wards, the officiating priests, and sometimes the chorister and organist, will go sit with their families after the sacrament is served.

What's up with seminary? Seminary is a daily class for high-school-aged youth. In some areas, it is offered as a class that can be taken during regular school time; mostly, this happens in Utah and other areas with heavy LDS populations. In most other places, it is offered as an early morning course. All LDS students are encouraged to come, and even bring friends if they like. Most active LDS youth attend seminary, though this varies between individuals. The teachers for seminary are dedicated men and women who are called to teach the classes on a year-by-year basis. It is not unusual for a seminary teacher to teach for years at a time.

In places where there are not enough LDS high school students to justify holding an early-morning seminary, the Church encourages students to complete a home-study seminary course each year.

I'm afraid to bother the missionaries with my questions! Don't be. That's their job. But be prepared to encounter missionaries that may not know the answers off the top of their head. These are very young men and women who are just being exposed to the actual leadership structure of the Church, and may still have only a hazy idea of how everything fits together. When you grow up in the Church, as many missionaries do, you just sort of take everything for granted, and you may not really pay attention to what everyone does and how everything is put together.

Hope that was of some help.

[Jamie123]

I asked them far stranger, I can assure you.

They must of thought me an enigma

They must have thought you an enigma!

Now write that out 500 times!