First Presidency. The three top leaders of the church consisting of the church president and his two counselors.  “Of the Melchizedek Priesthood, three Presiding High Priests, chosen by the body, appointed and ordained to that office, and upheld by the confidence, faith, and prayer of the church, form a quorum of the Presidency of the Church” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:22). Thirteenth President Ezra Taft Benson declared, “Doctrinal interpretation is the province of the First Presidency. The Lord has given that stewardship to them by revelation. No teacher has the right to interpret doctrine for the members of the Church. If Church members would remember that, we could do away with a number of books which have troubled some of our people” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 317). He also said, “The prophet and the presidency – the living prophet and the First Presidency – follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 334).

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