Stake Leadership

6.1

Purposes of a Stake

Isaiah described latter-day Zion as a tent or a tabernacle secured by stakes (see Isaiah 33:20; 54:2).

The Lord establishes stakes for “the gathering together” of His people and “for a defense, and … a refuge” from the world (Doctrine and Covenants 115:6).

6.2

The stake president holds the priesthood keys to lead the work of the Church in the stake (see 3.4.1). He and his counselors form a stake presidency. They care for stake members with love, helping them become true followers of Jesus Christ.

The stake president has four principal responsibilities:

He is the presiding high priest in the stake.
He leads God’s work of salvation and exaltation in the stake.
He is a common judge.
He oversees records, finances, and properties.

6.3

Differences between the Authority of District Presidents and That of Stake Presidents

In each member district, a Melchizedek Priesthood holder is called as the district president. He serves much like a stake president but with the following differences:

He is not the president of a high priests quorum. Such quorums are organized only in stakes.
With the mission president’s approval, a district president may interview a brother to be ordained an elder. A district president or someone under his direction may also (1) present a brother for sustaining and (2) perform the ordination (see 18.10.1.3, 18.10.3, and 18.10.4). However, a district president cannot ordain patriarchs, high priests, or bishops.
With the mission president’s approval, a district president may set apart branch presidents (see 18.11).
He does not release full-time missionaries.
He does not conduct temple recommend interviews or sign temple recommends (see 26.3.1).
He does not convene a membership council unless authorized by the mission president.

6.5

High Council

The stake presidency calls 12 high priests to form the stake high council (see Doctrine and Covenants 102:1; 124:131).

6.5.1

Represent the Stake Presidency

The stake presidency assigns a high councilor to each ward in the stake.

The stake presidency also assigns a high councilor to each elders quorum in the stake.

The stake presidency may assign high councilors to instruct the following people in their responsibilities for temple and family history work and missionary work:

Elders quorum presidencies
Ward mission leaders
Ward temple and family history leaders

6.7

Stake Organizations

The stake Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, Sunday School, and Young Men organizations are each led by a president. These presidents serve under the direction of the stake presidency.

The main responsibilities of these leaders are to assist the stake presidency and to instruct and support ward organization presidencies.

6.7.1

Stake Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School Presidencies

Members of these presidencies have the following responsibilities:

Serve on the stake council (presidents only).
Orient newly called ward organization presidencies.
Offer ongoing support and instruction. Communicate with ward organization presidencies regularly to learn of their needs, discuss the needs of the members they serve, and communicate information from the stake presidency.
Instruct ward organization presidencies during stake leadership meetings (see 29.3.4).

6.7.2

Stake Young Men Presidency

The stake Young Men presidency has the following responsibilities:

Serve as a resource to bishoprics in their responsibilities for Aaronic Priesthood brethren.
Serve on the stake youth leadership committee (see 29.3.10).
Under the direction of the stake presidency, plan and coordinate stake Aaronic Priesthood activities and camps.