Here are some caption and style pointers for our upcoming conference coverage.
It is the 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The annual conference is in April; the semiannual conference is in October.
Most of the changes to general church callings and releases occur in April: new General Authority Seventies called and sustained, General Authority Seventies turning age 70 in that year given emeritus status, organization general presidencies released and sustained.
Area Seventies who were called or to be released between then and Aug. 1 have typically been announced the Thursday before general conference in a press release summarizing the leadership meetings.
In April 2024, most of the changes were effective Aug. 1 while a few specific changes were effective immediately.
Referring to Church leaders
The First Presidency
From Church Newsroom: "Jesus Christ leads His Church through a prophet, who acts as the President of the Church, and two Apostles who are called to be the prophet’s counselors. This group is known as the First Presidency, and it is the highest governing body of the Church."
- President Russell M. Nelson
- President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor
- President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor
On first reference, it is always President and their name (President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). On subsequent references, it is President and their surname, President Nelson.
The Quorum of the Twelve
From Church Newsroom: "The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church. Its members travel the world as special witnesses of the name of Christ and serve under the direction of the First Presidency."
- President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president (replaced President M. Russell Ballard who died Nov. 12, 2023) Second reference: President Holland. Note: President Dallin H. Oaks is president of the Quorum of the Twelve, but since he is serving as the first counselor in the First Presidency, President Jeffrey R. Holland, the next apostle in seniority, is the acting president.
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second reference: Elder Uchtdorf
- Elder David A. Bednar; Elder Bednar
- Elder Quentin L. Cook; Elder Cook
- Elder D. Todd Christofferson; Elder Christofferson
- Elder Neil L. Andersen; Elder Andersen
- Elder Ronald A. Rasband; Elder Rasband
- Elder Gary E. Stevenson; Elder Stevenson
- Elder Dale G. Renlund; Elder Renlund
- Elder Gerrit W. Gong; Elder Gong
- Elder Ulisses Soares; Elder Soares
- Elder Patrick Kearon; Elder Kearon
Other Priesthood Leadership
Presidency of the Seventy
Seven General Authority Seventies who direct the work of General Authority Seventies and Area Seventies. There is seniority in the presidency based on when their service began in the presidency. Currently Elder Carl B. Cook is the senior member of the presidency. All presidency members are referred to as Elder.
In order of seniority, the members of the Presidency of the Seventy are:
- Elder Carl B. Cook, senior president (March 31, 2018); Elder Cook on second reference
- Elder José A. Teixeira (Aug. 1, 2018); Elder Teixeira
- Elder S. Mark Palmer (Aug. 1, 2021); Elder Palmer
- Elder Marcus B. Nash (Jan. 16, 2024); Elder Nash
- Elder Michael B. Ringwood (Aug. 1, 2024); Elder Ringwood
- Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela (Aug. 1, 2024); Elder Valenzuela
- Elder Edward Dube (Aug. 1, 2024); Elder Dube
General Authority Seventies
Men called as full-time “especial witnesses.” They are given assignments at Church headquarters and in area presidencies throughout the world. All General Authority Seventies are referred to as Elder. In some uses, they may be referred to simply as “of the Seventy.”
Area Seventies
Formerly called Area Authority Seventies. These are men who are part-time Church leaders with assignments in their home geographic area. They typically serve for at least three years, usually more like five to six years. All Area Seventies are referred to as Elder. In some uses, they may be referred to as “of the Seventy.”
Presiding Bishopric
A council of three men who work under the direction of the First Presidency in managing and directing the affairs of the Church including humanitarian aid, welfare programs, tithing and fast offerings, physical facilities and membership records. The current presiding bishopric is:
- Bishop Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop
- Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, first counselor
- Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor
Organization Presidencies
Primary
From Newsroom: The Primary is an organization for children ages 18 months to 11 years. It teaches them the gospel of Jesus Christ and helps them build faith.
General presidency sustained April 2, 2022, began service Aug. 1, 2022
President Susan H. Porter, general president
Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor
Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor
Relief Society
From Newsroom: The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized by Joseph Smith, the Church’s first President, in 1842. He called it “a select Society separate from all the evils of the world, choice, virtuous, and holy”
General presidency sustained April 2, 2022, began service Aug. 1, 2022
- President Camille N. Johnson, general president
- Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor
- Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor
Sunday School
From Newsroom: The Sunday School general presidency is responsible for religious instruction in the Church. The presidency consists of a president and two counselors who travel frequently to minister to Church members around the world, helping them improve religious teaching in the home and in Church meetings.
General presidency sustained April 6, 2024, began service Aug. 1, 2024
- President Paul V. Johnson, general president
- Brother Chad H Webb, first counselor (No period after H. It is an initial and not an abbreviation)
- Brother Gabriel W. Reid, second counselor
Young Women
From Newsroom: The Young Women organization helps young women learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ and increase their faith in Him. Young women serve others, build unity, and help accomplish God’s work.
General presidency sustained April 1, 2023, began service Aug. 1, 2023
- President Emily Belle Freeman, general president
- Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor
- Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor
Young Men
From Newsroom: The Young Men General Presidency works with the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Presiding Bishopric, and leaders of the Young Women organization to teach, serve, and watch over the young men of the Church and those who lead them.
General presidency sustained April 4, 2020, counselors changed April 1, 2023
President Steven J. Lund, general president
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, first counselor
Brother Michael T. Nelson, second counselor
Common Church terms
area The Church has divided the world into 23 geographic areas. Six areas cover the United States and Canada with 17 areas covering the other parts of the world. All of the areas are presided over by a General Authority Seventy who is assisted by counselors who are General Authority Seventies or Area Seventies except for the Eurasian Area that has a presidency of three Area Seventies who cover Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The Europe North Area has an Area Seventy, Elder Kyrylo Pokhylko, serving as an assistant to the area presidency to work with the saints in Ukraine and Moldova.
Assembly Hall
auxiliary term formerly used to refer to the Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Sunday School and Primary. They are now referred to as organizations.
bishop title used for all members of the Presiding Bishopric.
Example caption: Bishop Gérald Caussé, presiding bishop of the Church and Bishop L. Todd Budge, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric visit with a young man before the Saturday evening session of general conference on Oct. 5.
board obsolete term for members called to assist general presidencies of organizations. Now referred to as general advisory councils.
brother Use the title Brother for the counselors in the Young Men and Sunday School general presidencies.
Church Administration Building Granite building at 47 East South Temple with offices for General Authorities including the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints note the hyphen and capitalize “The” before Church). The name of the Church should be spelled out on first reference in stories. Do not use LDS Church. On second reference use the Church or the Church of Jesus Christ (note the lowercase “t” in these instances). When referring to church members, use members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Latter-day Saints. Do not use the term Mormon. Use lowercase the church when referring to local church buildings and leaders. The Church’s humanitarian outreach. The church on 1460 North in Provo. If you could easily write the sentence using the full name of the Church, capitalize Church.
Church Office Building twenty-eight floor administrative support building for the Church at 50 East North Temple.
conference capitalize, as in 194th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On subsequent references it’s conference or general conference (lowercase).
Conference Center (uppercase)
conferencegoer, conferencegoers (one word)
Example caption: Latter-day Saint conferencegoers listen to the Saturday afternoon session while sitting on the grass at Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5.
elder The title Elder is used for members of the Quorum of the Twelve (except for the quorum president or acting president), Presidency of the Seventy, General Authority Seventies and Area Seventies. The title is also used for male full-time and church service missionaries.
Example caption: From left, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, attend the Saturday morning session of general conference on Oct. 5.
Example caption: Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, wave to the congregation after the conclusion of the Sunday afternoon session of the 194th Semiannnual General Conference on Oct. 6. Elder Bednar spoke at the Sunday morning session.
devil or the devil but Lucifer or Satan
FamilySearch Library formerly the Family History Library. Located on Temple Square. As of Jan. 10, 2023, all of the more than 5,700 family history centers around the world are now referred to as FamilySearch centers.
First Presidency (uppercase)
general authorities Use the title in first reference for church general authorities. Use the title, too, on subsequent references. Also use the full name on first reference, including initials.
Example caption: From left, President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency; President Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, greet the congregation before the Sunday morning session of general conference on Oct. 6.
Example caption: President Henry B. Eyring, second counselor in the First Presidency, speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference on Oct. 5.
Example caption: President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of the 194th Semiannual General Conference on Oct. 5. Due to ill health, President Holland did not attend the other sessions of conference.
General Authority Seventy
Example caption: Elder Jack N. Gerard, General Authority Seventy, speaks during the Saturday afternoon session on Saturday, Oct. 5.
general presidency is lowercase.
Example caption: Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of general conference on Oct. 6.
Example caption: Brother Michael T. Nelson, second counselor in the Young Men general presidency, speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Joseph Smith Memorial Building Church administrative building on South Temple, west of the Church Administrative Building. Originally the Hotel Utah until 1987. The building is currently closed for renovation. It is expected to reopen in 2025.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir obsolete name for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
The Orchestra at Temple Square
Organization names are uppercase — Relief Society, Young Women, Young Men, Sunday School and Primary. Formerly referred to as auxiliaries.
president the title president is used for members of the First Presidency as well as the general presidents of the Relief Society, Sunday School, Young Men, Young Women and Primary organizations. This is a recent change in style. Use the title Sister (Relief Society, Young Women, Primary) or Brother (Young Men, Sunday School) for the counselors in general presidencies of organizations.
Example caption: President Camille N. Johnson, general president of the Relief Society, speaks during the Saturday afternoon session. President Johnson directs an organization of millions of women worldwide.
Example caption: Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency, speaks during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference on Oct 5.
Quorum of the Twelve This has been our style for years. The Church has used the terms Council of the Twelve, Quorum of the Twelve and now Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Due to an incident years ago when a proofreader didn't correctly mark an error and a page designer used the suggestion for a misspelled term, we continue to not add the word Apostles. It was a dark day. Goodness, it was a dark week. RegretTheError.com named it the typo of the year. It even showed up in Reader's Digest. What you write matters.
Salt Lake Tabernacle
Salt Lake Temple Currently undergoing renovation and structural reinforcement. The project includes adding three below ground levels north of the main temple. The project is estimated to be completed in 2026 (March 23, 2023 Church news release). See temples and tabernacles below for guidance on temple names.
sister Use the title Sister for wives of general authorities on first and all subsequent references. Also use the title Sister for counselors in the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary general presidencies. Use the title Sister for female full-time and church service missionaries and wives of mission presidents.
Example caption: Sister Wendy Nelson, wife of President Russell M. Nelson, waves to Latter-day Saints following the Sunday morning session of general conference on Oct. 6.
Example caption: Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of general conference on Oct. 6.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square new name for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Mack Wilberg is the music director, Ryan Murphy is the associate music director. Michael O. Leavitt is the choir president. Organists include Richard Elliott, Andrew Unsworth, Brian Mathias, Linda Margetts and Joseph Peeples.
Temples and tabernacles Capitalize temple or tabernacle when using the full name, which usually includes the city and country or U.S. state or Canadian province: Bountiful Utah Temple, London England Temple, American Fork Tabernacle.
Lowercase temple when not using the full name: Saratoga Springs temple, Bountiful temple.
There are exceptions such as Salt Lake Temple (not Salt Lake City Temple or Salt Lake City Utah Temple). The “t” is always uppercase in that usage.
Temple names may change as locations or groundbreakings are announced. Other exceptions to the naming convention include:
- Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple (a second temple in Buenos Aires)
- Columbia River Washington Temple (in Richland, Washington)
- Deseret Peak Utah Temple (in Tooele, Utah)
- Feather River California Temple (in Yuba City, California)
- The Gila Valley Arizona Temple (The is part of the name. Located in Central, Arizona)
- Heber Valley Utah Temple (in Heber City, Utah)
- Houston Texas South Temple (second temple in Houston, Texas)
- Jordan River Utah Temple (in South Jordan, Utah)
- Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple (a second temple in Lima)
- Lone Mountain Nevada Temple (in Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Mexico City Benemérito Mexico Temple (additional temple in Mexico City near the Mexico City MTC)
- Miraflores Guatemala City Guatemala Temple (additional temple in Guatemala City)
- Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple (in American Fork, Utah)
- Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple (in South Jordan, Utah)
- Provo City Center Temple (no Utah in name)
- Provo Utah Rock Canyon Temple (new name for the temple being built on the site of the recently demolished Provo Utah Temple)
- Red Cliffs Utah Temple (in St. George, Utah). Originally referred to as the Washington County Utah Temple.
- Russia Temple (an updated name will probably come once a location is announced)
- São Paulo East Brazil Temple (a second temple in São Paulo, Brazil)
- Singapore Temple (in Singapore in the Republic of Singapore)
- Star Valley Wyoming Temple (in Afton, Wyoming)
- Teton River Idaho Temple (second temple planned for Rexburg, Idaho)
- Willamette Valley Oregon Temple (in Springfield, Oregon)
- Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple (in Omaha, Nebraska)