The Twelve Apostles are a traveling presiding high council, next in order of authority to the First Presidency. On the death of the President of the Church, the presiding authority falls on the next council in precedence, which is the council of the Twelve Apostles, and continues with that council until another First Presidency is installed. The presidency of the council of the Twelve Apostles is decided by seniority or ordination. The duties of the Twelve Apostles are to preach the Gospel and build up the Church and regulate the affairs of the same in all nations, under the direction of the First Presidency. It is the privilege and duty of the council of the Twelve Apostles, when sent out, to open the Gospel door to the various nations of the earth, and, when they need assistance, it is their duty to call preferentially on the Seventies to fill the calls for preaching and administering the Gospel.
The Seventies are organized into various councils of seventy, commonly termed quorums. Each council of seventy has seven presidents, chosen out of the seventy, one of the seven presiding over the others and over the whole seventy. The seven presidents of the first council of seventies also preside over all the councils of seventies. There are now one hundred and three councils of seventies, seventy members in each council when it is full.
In each Stake of Zion the High Priesthood assemble in council at stated times, perhaps once a month, for counsel and instruction in their duties, with a president and two counselors presiding over them.
Elders are organized in councils of ninety-six, each council with a president and two counselors.
Priests are organized in councils of forty-eight, each with a president and two counselors. This president must be a bishop.
Teachers are organized in councils of twenty-four, each with a president and two counselors.
Deacons are organized in councils of twelve, each with a president and two counselors.
At the gathering places of the Latter-day Saints, the branches of the Church are organized into Stakes of Zion. In Utah these stakes are generally, but not necessarily, coextensive with counties. Each stake has a president, with his two counselors, and has also a high council, consisting of twelve high priests. The president of a stake, with his two counselors, presides over the high council of that stake. The jurisdiction of the high council of a stake is appellate in most cases, but original in some. The decisions of a high council are usually, but not invariably, final. On an appeal from the decision of a high council, a hearing and decision can be had from a general assembly of the various councils of the Priesthood, which is the end of controversy in the Church, but such appeals are very rarely taken.
The jurisdiction of all councils in the Church is ecclesiastical, extending to fellowship and standing only, the extreme judgment in all cases being excommunication.
Each stake is divided into an irregular number of wards, over each of which a bishop, with his two counselors, presides.