LDS Church Presidents

Explanation of LDS Church Prophets (called Presidents)

Jesus Christ called prophets to lead His church in our day, just as He did while on the earth. The first prophet (and LDS Church president) called to restore Christ's gospel in these Latter-days was Joseph Smith. To learn more about this restoration read the article, "What Do Mormons Believe?"

When the prophet dies, the senior apostle (the apostle who has been in the Quorum of Twelve Apostles for the longest) becomes the next LDS Church President. When Joseph Smith was martyred Brigham Young became the next prophet and LDS Church President. He led the saints to the Salt Lake Valley, which later became known as Salt Lake City, Utah.

When Brigham Young died, the senior Apostle was John Taylor and he became the third LDS Church President. Each new President selects two worthy men to be his counselors; together they form the First Presidency. Learn more about living prophets and apostles as well as ancient prophets.

1	Joseph Smith	1830-1844
2	Brigham Young	1847-1877
3	John Taylor	1880-1887
4	Wilford Woodruff	1887-1898
5	Lorenzo Snow	1898-1901
6	Joseph F. Smith	1901-1918
7	Heber J. Grant	1918-1945
8	George Albert Smith	1945-1951
9	David O. McKay	1951-1970
10	Joseph Fielding Smith	1970-1972
11	Harold B. Lee	1972-1973
12	Spencer W. Kimball	1973-1985
13	Ezra Taft Benson	1985-1994
14	Howard W. Hunter	1994-1995
15	Gordon B. Hinckley	1995-2008
16	Thomas S. Monson	2008-present