A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

by John Andreas Widtsoe

The temporal affairs of the Church are largely cared for by the Presiding Bishopric, consisting of the presiding bishop and two counselors. The Presiding Bishopric also has general supervision of the bishops of the wards, of the Church.

The General Authorities are the First Presidency, the Twelve Apostles, the Presiding Patriarch, the Presidents of the first quorum of Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric—making in all twenty-six men. These general presiding authorities, representing all the great divisions of the Priesthood, deal with all the general affairs of the Church.

**The Stakes of Zion.** For convenience of administration, the Church is divided into stakes containing usually from one thousand to ten thousand members. The stakes are presided over by a Stake Presidency, three high priests denominated president and two counselors, which have the same relation to the stake that the First Presidency has to the whole Church. The Stake Presidency are assisted by the high council, consisting of twelve regular and six alternate counselors who are high priests. To this body is assigned much of the work for the welfare of the members of the stake. Such other officers as may be needed are moreover secured in each stake.

**The Wards of the Stakes.** The stakes are, in turn, divided into wards containing usually from one hundred to two thousand members. They are presided over by a Bishop and two counselors, who are assisted in various capacities by the local ward Priesthood.

**The Priesthood in Stakes and Wards.** In every ward, if there be enough members, are organized quorums of deacons, teachers, priests, elders and seventies. If there are not enough in one ward to form a quorum, then a quorum is organized from two or more wards. The high priests in a stake are usually assembled into one quorum for the stake. All of the Priesthood meets regularly in the ward to which they belong, for the discussion of their duties and for studying the outlines and books provided by the general Church authorities.

**Auxiliary Organizations.** In addition to the regular Priesthood, there are helps in government known as auxiliary organizations. These are the Relief Society, for women, the Deseret Sunday School Union, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, the Primary Association, the Religion Class, the Boards of Education, and others that may be organized from time to time. Each of these is represented by a general board, under the direction of the First Presidency. In each stake there are also stake boards of these auxiliary organizations, under the direction of the stake presidency. Moreover, in each ward of the Church, if large enough, is an organization of each of the auxiliary activities of the Church.

**All Must Work.** So complete an organization, ramifying throughout the Church, shows that all members of the Church should or may be at work. There is no place for the idler. Every man or woman, who is not averse to working in behalf of the Church, will find some duty that will fill his life.

**The Tenure of Office.** The officers of the Priesthood have no definite tenure of office. Since all hold the Priesthood, there is always a supply of ready material to fill any vacancies that may occur. The general authorities in the Church have generally held life positions, but a number of these, for various reasons, chiefly insubordination or error of doctrine, have been released before death. According to doctrine, no office in the Priesthood, is absolutely certain of life tenure. Failure to perform properly the work of the office constitutes full cause for removal.

**An Unpaid Ministry.** The rewards of life should be and are only in part material. To assist, officially, in carrying out the Great Plan, brings its own distinct reward. The Priesthood of the Church, therefore, is largely unpaid. A man's duty in the Priesthood seldom takes all of his time, thus leaving him partly free to earn a livelihood by the use of his profession. When a man's whole time is taken by the Church, he gets his support from the Church. There is no Priesthood class, especially trained for the work, and striving for positions carrying with them high material remuneration. All should know the Gospel and be prepared to carry on the work.

**Appointments in the Priesthood.** The power to nominate men to fill the official positions in the Priesthood belongs to the Priesthood of the Church. Men are chosen from any walk in life, without previous warning, and the acceptance of the office often means the sacrifice of business, profession, or ease of life. Under this system there can be no talk of men seeking offices in the Church. Preparation to do the work of the Church can be the only form of self-seeking, and that may or may not lead to any particular position in the Church. Meanwhile, the vast organization of the Church is such as to find work for every man; and in fact, every worthy worker should be kept busily engaged in the work of the Great Plan.