High priest (Mormonism)

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High priest is an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. High priests are responsible for the administration of local church units called Wards and Stakes.

Like other priesthood offices, high priests are organized into quorums. The high priest quorum, however, is organized at the Stake level, with the president of the quorum being the Stake President. In consultation with the Bishop, the stake president organizes a high priest group in each ward with a group leader and usually two assistants and a secretary. Assignments made to the group include home teaching and sheparding prospective elders preparing to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. High priests are also responsible for temple and family history work within a ward.

The modern usage of the term high priest should not be confused with the Old Testament office of the same name. Mormon theology maintains the Old Testament version was an office which more closely corresponded with today's office of bishop, or president of the Aaronic Priesthood and the priests quorum.